Promote permanency for children and youth in foster care by facilitating family participation in and bringing an independent perspective to service plan reviews.  Support and promote strengths-based casework through the Family Team Conference model.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Convene and facilitate family team conferences, including comprehensive and reassessment planning Service planning conferences, Goal Changes, Placement preservation/changes, step-ups to therapeutic care) Responsible for submitting Family team conference requests to ACS and following up with program staff when appropriate. Follow Family Team Conference schedules and communicate with appropriate ACS and program staff. Promote and monitor permanency planning during all FTC’s in accordance with federally mandated timeframes. Will attend ACS Transitional conference and create and update Genograms. Prepare and distribute monthly reports on Permanency FTC/SPRs and on Transitional conferences. The Facilitator will participate in making quality decisions revolving around child safety, well- being and permanency and making recommendations to case planners, supervisor and other service providers, including referrals and potential resources. Collaborate and strengthen partnerships with community representatives to ensure participation and involvement in conferences. Complete administrative responsibilities, including the timely documentation and data entry of family team conferences in CONNECTIONS to meet required due dates. Facilitate up to three conferences per day l agency policies, procedures and governmental regulations, including but not limited to HIPAA. Other duties as assigned by supervisor. Responsible for ensuring compliance with all agency policies, procedures and governmental regulations, including but not limited to HIPAA. Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education/Degree:

Master of Social Work plus 2 years experience in foster care OR Bachelor’s degree plus 5 years experience in foster care. Exceptional mediation skills to effectively facilitate group conference situations Ability to summarize clearly a variety of solution and to facilitate consensus Ability to accommodate a flexible work schedule, including evenings and weekends Ability to travel in and around the metropolitan New York City region Ability to read, analyze and interpret policies and procedures related to the job Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Strong organizational skills. Strong interpersonal skills and verbal and written communication skills are essential and the ability to demonstrate sound decision making while modeling best practice is critical

Solid skills in spreadsheet and word processing programs (MS Office Excel and Word required).

Other skills and requirements:

Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel and in CONNECTIONS. Travel within each of the 5 boroughs and Long Island to SCO offices, hospitals, shelters, rehabilitation facilities, prisons or client residences if necessary in order to accommodate client needs. Commitment to the mission and programs of SCO Family of Services. Ability to work with children and families that have histories of chemical dependency, mental illness, neglect, physical, sexual, and/or emotional abuse, different cultural backgrounds, and varying socioeconomics statuses. Ability to work competently, compassionately, and without judgment with individuals who may identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, or who may be in different stages of discovering or disclosing their sexual orientation or gender identity. Ability to work varying schedules that may cause you to work in excess of your regularly scheduled hours or weekends if necessary. A strong sense of empathy towards our populations served, and a passion for the field of child welfare.