Primary function/Purpose
Provide direct case management services including assessment, counseling, crisis intervention, referral, and advocacy to ensure an effective social service support plan is in place. This role is responsible for working at our Union Hall location in Jamaica, Queens to enable the successful relocation of families to permanent housing.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree is preferred, and at least an Associate’s degree in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Counseling, Criminal Justice, or Human Services is required
- At least one (l) year of experience in social services, counseling, crisis intervention, family services, preventive services, or housing services is required
- Experience facilitating groups for homeless adults, specialized knowledge of substance abuse issues and treatment, and/or family dynamics treatment experience is required
- Bilingual language ability is preferred
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Essential duties and responsibilities
- Utilizing the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) Client Assistance and Re-housing Enterprise System (CARES), complete family’s intake assessments, service plans/independent living plans, housing plans, next step conferences/transfers, incident reports, progress notes, etc.
- Utilizing the DHS Client Assistance and Re-housing Enterprise System (CARES), review accessible information from the Human Resource Administration, Administration for Children Services, Department of Probation, Department of Homeless Services, etc.
- Utilizing the DHS Client Assistance and Re-housing Enterprise System (CARES), ensure that all information is updated in the system and documented in a timely fashion as required by DHS
- Provide advocacy and referral services to ensure clients receive appropriate benefits, entitlements, and services, thereby enhancing their transition to permanent housing while minimizing the length of time families are homeless
- Coordinate services to stabilize the family unit, deal with problems of substance abuse, or improve housekeeping, parenting, and financial management skills so the goal of permanent housing may be realized
- Assess and identify the clients' needs, formulate appropriate plans of service, monitor and document the progress of service plans, and document all significant interactions with/on behalf of clients to ensure the effective delivery of service to families while ensuring compliance with State, City, and Agency regulations
- Develop and maintain appropriate helping relationships with clients to assist them in making the most of their residency at the facility and facilitate their active involvement in the achievement of service goals
- Provide appropriate individual counseling and crisis intervention services to families to help stabilize and minimize the negative impact of the family's displacement
- Maintain familiarity with off-site and on-site program resources for homeless families and refer families to appropriate resources to ensure that they receive the most beneficial services
- Facilitate groups to address family issues, enhance life skills, and assist families in achieving self-sufficiency and a successful transition to permanent housing
- Coordinate client services provided by other social services staff to ensure that families receive the necessary and appropriate services in a timely fashion and to ensure compliance with State, City, and Agency regulations
- Facilitate effective communication among staff, both within the Casework Unit and with other staff members; ensure the timely and accurate transfer of relevant information to administrative staff, such as client admission and/or discharge, and changes in public assistance cases, in order to ensure the smooth functioning of the family and compliance with regulatory agencies
- Perform other duties and special projects as assigned, including serving on-call for a one-week period each quarter
- Assist in transferring clients in and out of the program when required
OTHER REQUIREMENTS (including Physical Demands)
- May be required to work long hours and a varied schedule
- Traveling throughout various locations in the New York City area
- Lifting and moving objects weighing up to 30 pounds several times a week
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
EEO Statement – Children’s Rescue Fund is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status.
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Tuesday to Saturday 9 AM to 5 PM, One Late Day Sunday to Thursday 9 Am to 5 PM, One Late Day Jamaica, Queens
