Job Overview: The IRCโs Home Study and Post-Release Services (HSPRS) for unaccompanied children in the U.S. is growing from six current IRC offices to more than 17 offices throughout the US. This is a national, multi-million-dollar project with ambitious delivery goals in a short time frame. This position is part of an anticipated 36-month contract.
The goals of the Home-Study Post Release Services Program (HS/PRS) are to:
- Assess the safety and suitability of a sponsor before an unaccompanied child is released from custody into a sponsorโs care (Home Study).
- Provide case management support via remote and / or conducting in-home visits to ensure the continued safety and stability of children in sponsorโs homes and linking children to resources in the community (Post Release Services).
The Home Study and Post Release Services Senior Caseworker conducts home studies to determine a potential sponsorโs ability to meet an unaccompanied childโs needs upon release from the Office of Refugee Resettlementโs custody and provides post release services to help unaccompanied children and sponsors meet their presenting needs. The Senior Case Manager is responsible for assessing safety, developing a strengths-based service plan, providing psychoeducation, developing safety plans where needed, ongoing assessment, and referring and connecting children to community-based services.
Major Responsibilities:
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Conduct an initial in-home assessment with child and sponsors followed by regular weekly or monthly contact depending on safety and need for six months or until their 18th birthday or the child obtains legal relief; requirement that there at a minimum be in person contact at 14, 90- and 180-days.
- Develop individualized service plan that guides the provision of high quality, trauma-informed case management services.
- Complete home visits to meet with children and their sponsors post-release, to assess the safety of the child, flag any safety and protection concerns, and assess needs across multiple life domains.
- Conduct a comprehensive assessment to provide a recommendation for the purpose of reunifying children with their potential sponsors, including conducting interviews with shelter case managers, clinicians, the minor, sponsor, and all household members. This includes completing an in-person home visit and documenting findings in a comprehensive report within 10 days of referral.
- Conduct a mental health assessment of the child and/or sponsors, using validated instruments.
- Continually assess ongoing changes in behavior and general conditions that could impact the safety, wellbeing, and success of children
- Partner with crisis support staff to develop safety plans and ensure appropriate crisis intervention support when necessary, including involving Child Protective Services, law enforcement and various local stakeholders that can include placement disruptions.
- Provide referral and connection to: Legal services; Education and English language classes; Medical care and behavioral healthcare; Placement stability and safety services; Assistance with immigration proceedings; Assistance with guardianship proceedings; Family stabilization/counseling; Substance abuse treatment; Gang prevention services; Youth programming (such as youth mentoring, tutoring, afterschool and vocation programs, sports clubs, or other extracurricular clubs, etc.); Services related to cultural heritage and other traditions; and Integration and independence support as appropriate.
- Use a child centered, developmentally appropriate and trauma-informed approach to address the needs and concerns of children and sponsors.
- Maintain a strong understanding of trauma-informed principles and approaches, protection and safeguarding, and mandatory reporting.
- Provide timely documentation of all check-ins, in-home visits, referrals and referral outcomes, and progress and outcomes in case file.
- Build and maintain relationships with community services providers in relevant areas.
- Maintain accurate records in electronic case files and required databases.
- Submit required reports and documentation in a timely manner.
- Ensure the confidentiality of children and their cases.
- Other duties as assigned.
Job Requirements:
Education: Bachelorโs degree in social work, psychology, sociology, or other related behavioral sciences, human services or social services field.
Work Experience:
- Minimum of two years of related professional experience working with children, family reunification/ preservation, kinship care, foster care, child welfare, and/or conducting home studies required, or one year of related experience with a masterโs degree.
- Experience working with immigrant populations; experience working with unaccompanied minors preferred.
Demonstrated Skills & Competencies:
- Proven ability to contribute both independently and as a key team member.
- Written and verbal fluency in Spanish and English.
- Knowledge of local community social service systems and navigating the social service system.
- Demonstrated success working and communicating effectively in a multi-cultural environment.
- Demonstrated success working with vulnerable populations who have experienced trauma.
- Self-starter with excellent problem-solving skills combined with the ability to prioritize duties and manage time effectively.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook), Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and other platforms.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to travel up to 70% of the time up to 200 miles. Often nights and weekends. May need to do a rotation of being "on call" at a regular interval.
- Valid driverโs license, access to a personal, insured vehicle, and ability to travel independently throughout assigned service delivery area.
- ORR approval of candidate is required along with clearance from Child and Abuse Neglect background checks and FBI fingerprints. These checks will be initiated by the IRC after acceptance of the position.
Working Environment:
- A combination of standard office environment, remote work, and frequent travel for home visits, partner agency meetings, etc. within the service delivery area.
- Frequent work during non-traditional hours such as evenings and weekends required.
Posted pay ranges apply to US-based candidates. Ranges are based on various factors including the labor market, job type, internal equity, and budget. Exact offers are calibrated by work location, individual candidate experience and skills relative to the defined job requirements.
Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.
Equal Opportunity Employer: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
US Benefits: The IRC offers a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. All US employees are eligible for sick time, a 403b retirement savings plans: up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution, plus an 3-7% additional IRC contribution, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support in times of crisis and mental health struggles.
In addition, full-time employees are eligible for 10 US paid holidays, 20-25 paid time off days, disability & life insurance, medical, dental, and vision insurance (employee contribution starting at $135, $7, and $5 per month respectively) and FSA for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs. Part-time employees are eligible for a proportionate amount of paid time off. These additional benefits apply to employees who work at least 6 months within a 12-month time period.