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 Clinical Caseworker (bilingual required) to work in our Home Study & Post Release Services (HS/PRS) program.

Position Summary:

This position is responsible for verifying the safe and appropriate placement of youth in care who have been identified as especially vulnerable and in need of specialized services and interventions. This is completed through a thorough assessment of family composition, verifying the identified sponsor's 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. This includes the continuation of support services after the youth's release from care.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9. Assesses the safety and suitability of the home, including the household composition

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

11. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

18. Competence with administering mental health status examinations and screening tools in a culturally sensitive manner

19. Ability to explain mental health diagnosis and treatment options in a culturally competent manner

20. Highly competent in identifying and assessing situations involving child abuse, neglect, and/or possible trafficking concerns

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

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

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

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

25. All other tasks as delegated by the Program Director or Assistant Executive Director.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Knowledge of trauma informed care.

• Strong clinical skill set

• 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

• 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

• Case Aide

• Travel Coordinator

• PQI Specialist

Schedule: TBD; Minimum of 37.5 hours/week

The Children's Home offers an outstanding benefit package which includes weekly pay, 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.

Ideal candidates will live within 100 miles of the following cities:

• Miami, Florida

MINIMUM Qualifications:

• Master's degree in social work, psychology, sociology, or other relevant behavioral science in which direct clinical experience is a program requirement

• At least 5 years of clinical experience

• Licensed, or eligible for licensure

• 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:

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

• 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

*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.