HSPRS Case Manager-Central/SouthEast Region

The Children's Home of Poughkeepsie has been caring for children throughout the Hudson Valley for over 175 years! We strive to empower children and families to achieve optimal health and well being. We are currently seeking a Case Manager (bilingual required) to work in our Home Study & Post Release Services (HS/PRS) Program for the Central/Southeast Region.

The ideal candidate will live within a 100 miles of the following cities:

Austin, Texas

Houston, Texas

Dallas, Texas

Chicago, Illinois

Memphis, Tennessee

Position Summary:

This position is responsible for verifying the safe and appropriate placement of unaccompanied children in care, as well as the service delivery of community based services for the youth once they have been released from care. The verification of a safe placement is completed through a thorough assessment of family composition, confirming the identified sponsor's relationship to the youth and their motivation and ability to provide for the specialized needs of the child. This assessment is conducted via interviews with all pertinent parties and an in person home visit to assess safety and viability of the households ability to meet the youths needs. The delivery of community based services includes, but is not limited to: ensuring their safety and well-being, connecting youth and families with applicable community resources, and completing service provision reports in a timely manner.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

1. Conduct thorough home visits for families across multiple states.

2. Conduct community based services for a caseload of youth and families across multiple states.

3. Ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds and apply a culturally sensitive approach

4. Ability to travel to facilitate home visits and provide services within a 3-5 day timespan.

5. Is sensitive to and supportive of the children, family and staff's cultural and ethnic heritage and values

6. Ensure that all children and families are treated with dignity and respect in a culturally competent manner.

7. Conduct all services in a way that promotes child safety and child-welfare best practices.

8. Works closely with care providers to determine if there is a need for additional information to ensure a successful sponsorship.

9. Ability to flex work hours to meet the needs of families served.

10. Assesses the potential sponsor's capability to offer suitable care and a secure living environment for the child.

11. Assess the safety and suitability of the home, including the household composition.

1. Ensure home visits and documentation are completed in a timely manner and are in compliance with program expectations and requirements.

1. Organizes and conducts interviews with care provider personnel, children, potential sponsors, emergency care plan and all household members.

2. Identifies, verifies, and recommends areas where extra support, resources, or information might be necessary to meet a child's needs and ensure a safe environment.

3. Prepares comprehensive reports that evaluate risk, safety, and strengths regarding the appropriateness of placing children with their prospective sponsors.

4. Produces Home Study reports and provides recommendations within the specified timeframe.

5. Utilizes trauma-informed approaches and employs brief therapeutic techniques when working with children and their sponsors.

6. Provide psycho-education and referrals to support the families served

7. Ability to research and navigate local social services networks on a national scale to support families

8. Knowledge of community resources across different areas of: health, mental health, religious services, food pantries, and legal support.

9. Able to identify and assess situations involving child abuse, neglect, and/or possible trafficking concerns

10. Ability to assess and identify the appropriate level of services for the case

11. Provide individualized services to meet the identified needs of the families served

12. Strong ability to navigate social service networks and develop relationships with various community agencies

13. Ability to respond to the aforementioned issues efficiently and professionally.

14. Knowledgeable about family preservation, kinship care, and/or general child welfare

15. Completes Mandated Reporter responsibilities in accordance with local state requirements when there is knowledge or suspicion that a child's safety may be at risk

16. Fulfills training responsibilities according to child welfare best practices, the Children's Home of Poughkeepsie and ORR regulations.

17. Is familiar with and adheres to all agency policies and procedures as outlined in the UC Manual and Procedures and the agency Employee Handbook

18. All other tasks as delegated by the Regional Supervisor or Program Director.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Knowledge of trauma informed care.

• Ability to act with integrity, confidentiality and professionalism

• Strong organizational and time management skills

• Ability to work proactively and independently

• Strong analytical, problem-solving skills and strategic planning skills

• Ability to remain calm during difficult situations

• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team

• Strong communication skills (verbal, written, in person)

• Technical skills (Program specific, MS EXCEL, Google)

• Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion

Critical Work Relationships:

• Program Director

• Regional Supervisor

• Case Aide

• Travel Coordinator

• PQI Specialist

This is a Full-Time, salaried position.

Schedule: TBD; Minimum of 35 hours/week

The Children's Home offers an outstanding benefit package which includes medical, vision, dental, life insurance, 403(b), tuition reimbursement, paid time off, and a great work environment! Paid time off includes 4 weeks of vacation, 3 personal days, 12 holidays and 9 sick days annually.

MINIMUM Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree or an equivalent degree in education, psychology, sociology, or other behavioral science equivalent

• At least 1 year of experience working with children and families

• Bilingual Spanish/English

• Valid NYS Driver License in good condition as determined by the Agency

• Must complete and pass a pre-employment physical, PPD and drug screen and an annual physical and PPD.

PREFERRED Qualifications:

• Previous experience conducting home visits

• Experience working with unaccompanied children

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

1. Must be able to remain in a stationary position for an extended period of time

2. Constantly operate a computer and other office equipment

3. Knowledge of and ability to act as a mandated reporter

4. Flexibility to travel nationwide within 3 - 5 days notice

5. Able to safely operate an agency vehicle in accordance with NYS motor vehicle law

*The Children's Home of Poughkeepsie is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

*The Children's Home participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the form I-9.