Social Services Coordinator - Brooklyn, United States - Good Shepherd Services

Description

About Us:

Good Shepherd Services is a leading multi-service agency with more than 85 programs that serve over 30,000 youth and families each year and builds on their strengths to help them gain skills for success. At Good Shepherd we respect the dignity and worth of every person and reject intolerance, inequity and injustice in whatever form it may take. Voted one of the top 100 places to work in NYC by Crains New York, Good Shepherd Services offers a fantastic work environment, a collaborative team dedicated to fulfilling our mission, and an amazing array of benefits. Join our team and help make a difference

Reports to: PROGRAM DIRECTOR, YOUTH RECEPTION CENTER

Location: 479 New Jersey Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11207

Hours: 35 Hours/Week; Exempt

Job Summary: The Social Services Coordinators role forms a major part of the Shirley Chisholm Youth Reception Center Social Service team. The Coordinator works collaboratively with the wider inter-disciplinary team to assess treatment needs of participants, plan and coordinate services and provide short term intervention where indicated. The Social Services Coordinator is expected to uphold Good Shepherd Services Mission and demonstrate that We See What Can Be in the approach to participants.

Major Duties:

• Perform intake and admissions activities in collaboration with the Case Worker, Residential Life and Health Services.
• At admissions, begin the process of identifying permanent connections and formulating discharge planning, including through the development and use of a genogram.
• Conduct psycho-social evaluation, along with other diagnostic assessments and genogram, of participants and family/significant others. In addition, coordinate evaluations and/or assessments by other providers including the Psychiatrist and Psychologist.
• Coordinate the treatment service planning and implementation activities of the inter-disciplinary team including facilitation of Treatment Team Meetings, treatment plan development and monitoring.
• Collaboratively work with the treatment team and Office of Placement Services (OPS) to expedite the replacement, according to the program requirements, of the participant to a longer term setting or to be discharged from foster care. This includes inter-facing with recommended placements to facilitate the replacement.
• In conjunction with the assigned Child Protective Specialist/Case Planner, explore the viability of alternative resources including but not limited to kinship and extended kin resources to facilitate expeditious replacement or discharge of the participant from pre-placement.
• Particularly for long term participants at the YRC, initiate and facilitate family team meetings with all stakeholders, including the youth, to develop a strategy to expedite replacement or permanency.
• In conjunction with Health Services, coordinate mental health related activities including but not limited to procuring mental health history documentation, facilitating treatment referral, following up with treatment provider on progress, etc.
• Coordinate the post-crisis response efforts of the program including providing crisis intervention and avoidance services.
• Where indicated and appropriate, directly provide short-term individual and family therapy. Support the wider program team in developing behavioral management interventions for participants.
• Facilitate psychoeducation groups with participants.
• Promote permanent connections, including reunification, foster boarding home placement, adoption and alternative living arrangements.
• Participate in weekly individual, group supervision and trainings as indicated.
• Attend internal and external meetings as indicated.
• Maintain mandated paperwork and recordkeeping in compliance with ACS, OCFS and GSS PEP Dept.
• Effectively use and practice the Sanctuary Model tools: safety plans, community meetings, psycho-educational groups, team meetings, red flag reviews, treatment planning conferences (or similar) and self-care in the department/program to create a nonviolent and trauma-sensitive culture.
• Promote and model the seven Sanctuary Model commitments to create a non-violent and trauma-sensitive culture.
• Integrate the Sanctuary Model SELF (Safety, Emotional Management, Loss and Future) framework into daily practice to ensure quality care and an affective work environment.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Licensed Masters Social Worker (LMSW) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Minimum of two (2) in child welfare or related setting required.
• Clinical work with youth and families required; including crisis management.
• Proven participant sensibility and the ability to communicate with staff on all levels, including team facilitation/coordination experience.
• Demonstrated competence in verbal, written, organizational and prioritization skills, along with strong computer skills.
• Capability to transition easily between working independently with a high degree of self-initiative and contributing as part of a team.
• Must be able to use public transportation systems, including subways and buses to attend various meetings and make home visits. New York State Drivers license preferred.
• Excellent crisis intervention, advocacy and problem solving skills.
• Must have ability to work flexible schedule including some evenings, weekends and holidays, with possible on-call responsibilities.
• Must have a commitment to work from a strength-based, youth development perspective and trauma-informed perspective.
• Bilingual Spanish speaking preferred.

Good Shepherd Services is an equal opportunity employer that is proudly committed to becoming an anti-racist and multicultural organization that stands up for justice and equity. We welcome prospective employees from diverse backgrounds, for administrative support and direct service and leadership roles, who will join us on that journey, uphold our values and approach, and believe in our mission. Additionally, we aim to have a racially representative leadership and workforce that is reflective of the communities we work in partnership with.

Good Shepherd Services is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, participants, volunteers, subcontractors, and vendors. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of our activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and termination of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services.

We are committed to providing a workplace that is accessible and accommodating to employees with disabilities. As part of our commitment to providing a barrier-free recruitment and selection process, we will provide reasonable accommodations upon request for candidates with disabilities. If you require any accommodations to participate in the hiring process, please inform us of your needs in advance. We value diversity and inclusivity in our workplace and encourage applicants of all abilities to apply.