Benefits:
100% Employer Provided Medical Insurance
100% Employer Provided Dental Insurance
401(k)
Free food & snacks
Paid time off
Parental leave
Training & development
Wellness resources
The Social Worker for the Intensive Permanency Services Program will be responsible for managing a designated case load of 8-9 youth referred to Plummer by DCF. The essential function of this position is to aggressively advance the youth towards permanency through the delivery of Plummer’s Permanency Practice Model. The provision of permanency services will be delivered by utilizing youth-guided/Family Centered care principles, Family Search and Engagement, Permanency Readiness, and Youth Guided-Family Driven Teaming.
Essential Job Functions:
Meet with each youth to introduce the permanency dimension of the Plummer IPS program and engage the youth in active involvement in his/her own permanency planning from the point of intake.
Work individually with youth to identify parents, family members and other caring adults he/she wishes to locate or be reconnected to and/or who could potentially be a parent-figure or a supportive adult in his life.
Effectively Utilize Family Search and Engagement for parents/relatives, including reaching out and engaging them in permanency planning and decision-making
Effectively utilize DCF consults and Safety Parameter Meetings to begin building a team.
Effectively engage the youth and family in Permanency Readiness Work by preparing the youth for permanency, including helping him/her clarify their life events and experiences, understanding the reason he is in foster care as well as the steps needed to get him out of foster care and back to his family of origin or to an alternate family.
Effectively utilize Youth Guided, Family Driven Teaming to build a team of natural supports working towards exiting the youth to safe, stable, emotionally secure family situation
Assist youth in readiness to live in the family and community.
Develop team meeting agendas to support and drive permanency work.
Educate stakeholders to instill the belief of permanency work.
Collaborate with all systemic partners.
Effectively and collaboratively participate on youth’s treatment team to advocate for and advance progress toward permanency.
Partner with the DCF social worker to assure identification of an appropriate permanency goal (one that will result in leaving foster care to family rather than aging out); remove barriers to that goal as needed; and achieve timely progress toward the permanency outcome.
Complete permanency focused treatment plans within 30 days of intake and every 90 days thereafter on APRICOT and the Virtual Gateway
Complete quarterly progress reviews on APRICOT and the Virtual Gateway.
Complete written progress notes on APRICOT regarding all treatment interventions and interactions with youth and collaterals.
Schedule, and facilitate Youth Guided-Family Driven Team Meetings at 30 days and every 90 days thereafter.
Where necessary will participate in external meetings for youth on caseload such as 29 B hearings and Foster Care Reviews.
Attend Plummer Youth Promise Monthly Permanency consults.
Accept all other duties assigned by the Program Director.
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree required; master’s degree with professional licensure preferred.
Bilingual Spanish Speaker preferred
Minimum of an LSWA or LSW eligible to obtain LSW within 60 days of hire.
Demonstrated understanding and knowledge regarding DCF regulations, policies, and practice.
Minimum of three years’ experience working with children and families involved with the child welfare system as a Social Worker, Case Manager, Clinician, Therapeutic Mentor, or Family Partner.
Strong ability to authentically engage youth and families.
Excellent verbal, written, and computer skills in conjunction with strong organizational skills.
Ability to ascend and descend stairways.
Visual and hearing acuity to perform job related functions.
Valid state driver’s license, proof of auto insurance, satisfactory driving history and reliable vehicle
Competencies:
Communication: Shares appropriate information to keep people informed; Communicates clearly and effectively in writing and person; Adheres to both written and verbal reporting communication policies.
Conflict Management: focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Keeps emotions under control; remains open to, and listens to, other ideas and tries new things. Will embrace constructive change even if personally difficult to do.
Initiative: Exhibits strong effort and desire to accomplish what is undertaken; Expresses opinions in an appropriate manner; Is engaged in the process proactive
Documentation: Utilizes all aspects of APRICOT as it is designed to use; Is precise, accurate, and on-time as it pertains to all treatment plan documentation on APRICOT and Virtual Gateway; Pays attention to the details; Clinically appropriate and professional; Double checks work before passing it on.
Practice Responsibility: Demonstrates knowledge and can effectively apply all aspects of Family Search and Engagement; Demonstrates knowledge and can effectively apply all aspects of Youth Guided Teaming (Safety Parameters, joint conversations, individual conversations, large team meetings)
Demonstrates knowledge and can effectively apply all aspects of Permanency Readiness (tools and activities).
Self-Awareness & Development is aware of own strengths and areas of development; open to constructive feedback from others; Works to overcome limitations; Active in professional development.
Teamwork: Contributes to achieving a common objective; Assists others when needed.
Celebrates wins together. Effectively integrates and maintains positive and professional relationships with external team members.
Relationships with Youth and Families: Ability to form interpersonal and positive relationships with youth; Maintains appropriate professional boundaries; Utilizes a Strengths-based approach. Demonstrates understanding and effectively applies Youth-Guided/Family Driven care principles.
Effectively engages youth and families in an authentic and honest way.
Flexible work from home options available.