Case Planner; BA)

LOCATION: Syosset, NY

REPORTS TO: Casework Supervisor

DEPARTMENT: Enhanced Family Foster Care

SCHEDULE: Full Time / Hybrid

$1000 Hiring Incentive

Mercy First is a not-for-profit human and social service agency that has been serving children and families in need since we were founded by the Sisters of Mercy/Hermanas de las Misericordia in 1894. Today our agency continues to address the emotional and physical needs of children and families in Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and across Long Island through innovative treatments and life-changing interventions.

We provide community-based prevention and family foster care services, group homes in the community for struggling children and families within the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, and short-term residential services for unaccompanied migrant children. Each year, Mercy First serves more than 3,000 children, teenagers and families overcome enormous obstacles, re-imagine their futures and develop their full potential.

To meet the needs of New York City’s ever-changing foster care population, Enhanced Family Foster Care (EFFC) combines and replaces the previous separately contracted Family Foster Care (FFC) and Treatment Family Foster Care (TFFC) programs. EFFC recognizes that all children in care have experienced some level of trauma, that their needs may change over time, and that their strengths must be supported so they can reach their full potential.

A Case Planner works with children and youth who reside in a foster home. The foster parents can either be relatives or individuals who are not related to the children. Case Planners work as a team with Socio-Therapists to provide supports to the children, the foster parents, and the birth families to ensure that every child is making progress towards permanency.

We are a 24/7 operation, extensive travel throughout NYC, Long Island, Staten Island, Upstate NY and/or NJ, on rare occasions may also need to travel out of state. This may occur travel on weekends and occasionally require overnight visits (paid time and paid travel/hotel). Any Long Island cases must maintain a valid clean driver’s license.

• Bachelors in social work or related field
• 1 year of related work experience in serving children and/or families
• Knowledge of and/or training in child development stages
• Knowledge of and/or training in family dynamics
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Outlook.
• Ability to engage with clients.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• Understanding and willingness to commit to the agency’s Mission, core values, Sanctuary Commitments and social justice.

• Provide intensive support to children, therapeutic foster parents and birth families.
• Conduct regular casework sessions with each client in accordance with Federal, State, and Local mandates.
• Conduct regular home visits to therapeutic foster homes
• Maintain regular contact with birth parents to provide support and problem solve
• Maintain regular contact foster parents, and/or resource persons
• Holds bi-weekly individual Sociotherapist sessions with each client and family for their first 3 months in program
• Document all contacts and case activities in the State system of Connections, Agency patient tracking systems
• Complete documentation within established time frames
• Prepare all required documentation on each case including progress notes, psychosocial reports, permanency hearing notes, FASPs
• Attend legal proceedings such as family court hearings, representing the agency and client’s best interests
• Actively participate in staff training and supervision meetings.
• Arrange, monitor and document family and/or sibling visits.
• Res…