The Caseworker or the Case Planner enhances the quality of life of Group Home residents and their families by providing and/or arranging for the provision of social and related services based on service plans and needs; prepares youngsters for return to the natural family, independent living or continues care; Maintains compliance with Agency and Group Home standards, and government requirements.

Reports to: SW Supervisor, Youth Residential Service

• Develops individual case service plans, using GH (Group Home) and SVS guidelines and governmental objectives
• Determines service needs
• Finds appropriate resources
• Schedules appointments for and escorts clients to resources as needed
• Enrolls clients in appropriate schools and programs
• Monitors service delivery and progress
• Maintains family assessment and service plans (FASP's) per NYS Office of Children and Family Services requirements and follows NYC Children Services (NYCCS) in service provision planning.
• Prepares and obtains pertinent documents and enters information into Connections and/or FASP.
• Initiates and maintains contacts internally and externally with collateral stakeholders as well as major stakeholders.
• Prepares and presents services plans and updates to Agency management, child care staff, clinicians and others as requested.
• Prepares required materials, such as lists of approved visiting resources and schools or programs for the Child Care Manual.
• Participates in meetings, including interdisciplinary team, monthly child care/social services, weekly individual and group, and others as requested; occasionally prepares minutes or summaries of meetings to be documented in Connections.
• Attends internal and external conferences, seminars, workshops and in-service training sessions.
• Makes field visits to outside organizations, such as schools, programs, and clients' family homes.
• Contributes to planning of and participates in quality recreational events, including ethno-cultural activities and overnight out-of-state trips; At least every two months escorts residents on weekend day recreation trips.
• Provides or arranges for the provision of counseling services to residents and their families.
• Diligently searches for missing residents (AWOL), files a missing person’s report with police, and obtains a warrant from a family court judge and files in the case record a copy of the police report and warrant. Document efforts to find the missing resident in Connections.
• Covers a caseload of from twelve to fifteen residents, plus any and all aftercare clients, as defined by NYS OCFS and assigned by GH.

• College Bachelor’s Degree in human services or a related field preferred; Bachelor’s degree with two or more years working in a human service field required.
• Valid NYS Driver’s License preferred; not required
• Experience in dealing with at risk youth in a residential setting or prior foster care experience and knowledge of NYSDSS regulations and FASPs; familiarity with Child Welfare systems (NYCCS), including knowledge or resources available to the foster care population in general and to the severely emotionally disturbed (SED) and/or developmentally disabled.
• Must have good verbal and writing skills, and the ability to communicate cogently and succinctly.
• Must be organized and efficiently coordinate work and schedules; must be able to plan, organize and lead case review and other meetings.
• Must be available to work some weekends and after scheduled work hours for urgent matters or planned activities, including possible overnight trips.
• Must have good interpersonal skills in relating to adolescents, co-workers and external and community resources.
• Must exhibit maturity and control of emotions, plus firmness and warmth, in order to command the respect and confidence of children in care and staff.
• Must have cross cultural studies or experience which benefit understanding of a diverse client population.