AFTERCARE DSP

Aftercare and permanency planning begins within 72 hours of a youth’s placement in a Qualified Residential Treatment Program (QRTP). The Aftercare DSP will aid youth and their discharge resource in permanency and discharge planning during the youth’s time in the QRTP setting. In addition, the Aftercare DSP will assist youth and their discharge resource by helping them become integrated and engaged in their community as they are being discharged.

The Aftercare DSP will meet the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) Aftercare Services requirements and meet with youth both during placement and for 6 months post discharge.  Aftercare is centered around reaching and supporting youth permanency and successful discharge planning from placement towards family reunification or youth independence. Specific activities include in-home support(s) and skill transfer, regular casework contacts, and establishing services and resources in the community setting.

Caseload: Aftercare DSP will be assigned 2 Residential Programs and work with discharged youth. Typical caseload is between 12-16 cases but can exceed this number at times.

Responsibilities:

- The Aftercare DSP will provide provision of aftercare services and ensure the youth and family/discharge resource(s) needs are being met. Aftercare will work with the youth’s treatment team around permanency, mental health, education/vocation, and physical health.

- Monthly Face-to-face Requirements: Face-to-face mandates are as followed, at minimum, there are to be 2 substantive face-to-face contacts with youth per month (at least one of the two contacts must include the youth and discharge resource. These contacts must occur both during youth placement and for at least 6 months after discharge from placement.

- Aftercare DSP will coordinate with youth program and discharge resource while in placement to conduct these face-to-face contacts. At times, the Aftercare DSP may be asked to support youth transport to home visits which can be counted towards aftercare contacts.

- Permanency Planning Team Meetings: Responsible for attending monthly meetings regarding youth’s success/barriers related to discharge planning in the residential setting. Aftercare DSP will facilitate the Permanency Planning Meeting 2 times during the 6-month aftercare duration post-discharge. Aftercare DSP will collaborate with other members of the Permanency Planning Team to promote success.

- Management Team Meetings: These are weekly internal meetings amongst the youth’s Management and Treatment Teams while in placement. These meetings are to coordinate youth care and discuss youth progress and/or barriers in treatment. The Aftercare DSP must attend at least 1 Management Team Meeting per month.

- Availability: Flexibility to create your own schedule depending on client availability and required meetings. Must have availability to provide services during after-school/evenings/weekends if needed and must work a 40 hour work week.

- Documentation: All case notes and casework contacts must documented in OCFS CONNECTIONS database. Aftercare DSP is responsible for creating and maintaining the Aftercare Discharge Support Plan. Complete weekly tracker supporting job tasks completed.

- Report to Aftercare Coordinator/Clinical Supervisor for regularly scheduled supervision to review cases, youth and family needs and service progress and/or barriers.

- Collaborate with various service providers which will included but not limited to; Youth Residential Treatment Team, LDSS County Case Workers, other QRTP Agencies, Schools, Community Based Providers, etc.

- Referrals/Community Resources: The Aftercare DSP will be responsible for making additional referrals in the community based on the youth and family/discharge resources needs.

Qualifications

Elmcrest’s Core Values & Competencies:

o Honesty: Act with integrity and behave in a manner consistent with our policies, Code of Conduct and any regulatory and ethical guidelines. Utilize practices and techniques professionals train to interact with children, families and co-workers appropriately.

o Willingness to Learn: Open to new experiences and learning new skills and information that can improve professional development, progressive work environments and support the mission of Elmcrest.

o Dedication to Purpose: Display the necessary passion and empathetic abilities to serve the Elmcrest mission. Committed to improve the lives of children and families.

o Social Concern: Value human dignity and have respect for others. Actively seek out diverse approaches and points of view.

o Self-Examination: Systemically observe, analyze and utilize self-reflection to improve actions or results. Listen to constructive feedback and concerns and maintain positive relationships in the workplace.

Competencies:

o Must have good written and oral communication skills.

o Must have positive attitude and engaging personality.

o Computer skills, including Microsoft Word and Outlook.

o Self-confidence and an ability to work with children and young adults with a variety of needs.

o Effective problem-solving skills.

o Must be reliable and able to work independently and understand the importance of maintaining confidentiality/communication with the multidisciplinary team.

o Must be cleared by the NYS Justice Center through fingerprinting for a Criminal History Records search.

o Must be cleared for work through Drug Testing.

o Must be cleared by the NYS Office of Children and Family Services for instances of child abuse and/or neglect.

o Valid, unrestricted Driver’s License, with reliable/safe transportation.

o Acceptable clearance checks for State Central Register and Driver license as required by the program.

o Successful completion of mandatory training.

Required Education and Experience:

o Bachelor’s degree and 2-3 years of applicable experience in children's mental health, addiction, foster care/child welfare/juvenile justice, and/or a related human services field

OR

o Master’s degree (Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, Psychology, Mental Health Counseling, etc.)

Additional Eligibility Qualifications:

o Certification in an Evidenced Based Practice is a plus

Essential Job Qualifications:

· Ability to lift 25 pounds without assistance.

· Ability to sit, squat, crouch and stand for elongated periods of time

· Ability to lift arms over head in upward reaching motion.

· Ability to walk up and downstairs up to several times per day.

· Valid driver’s license and auto insurance, free from major infractions and deemed acceptable to our insurance carrier.

· Varying levels of travel as determined by departmental needs may be required with this position.

Equal Opportunity Statement: Elmcrest Children’s Center prohibits discrimination of any kind based on race, color, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, gender expression or identity, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status.

Accommodations: Elmcrest Children’s Center will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with a disability so that they can perform the essential functions of a job unless doing so causes a direct threat to these individuals or others in the workplace and the threat cannot be eliminated by reasonable accommodation or if the accommodation creates an undue hardship to Elmcrest Children’s Center. Contact Human Resources with any questions or requests for accommodation.

At Will Employment: Your employment with Elmcrest Children’s Center is at will. This means your employment is for an indefinite period of time and it is subject to termination by you or Elmcrest Children’s Center, with or without cause, with or without notice, and at any time. Nothing in this job description or in any other policy of Elmcrest Children’s Center shall be interpreted to be in conflict with or to eliminate or modify in any way, the at-will employment status of Elmcrest Children’s Center employees.