Program Director of Children's Advocacy Services Program:
Cross Systems Unit Location:
Westchester County Department of Social Services -
White Plains, NY Office Hours Per Week:
An ideal schedule consists of 21 hours spread over 3 days per week, from 10 AM to 6
PM FLSA Status:
Part Time, Non-Exempt Salary Range:
$28.00-$32.00 per hour
Summary Description:
The Cross Systems Unit provides community-based care coordination services for children ages 10 to 18 who have behavioral health issues that have led to psychiatric hospitalization or have put the child at risk for an out-of-home placement. The Individualized Care Coordinator (ICC) is responsible for coordinating the development and implementation of an individualized, community-based plan of social, emotional, and medical services for children and adolescents who have a serious emotional disturbance. The work focuses on preventing out of home placements, emergency room visits, and psychiatric hospitalizations. The Individualized Care Coordinator (ICC) is a planning and problem-solving position that, in collaboration with the Department of Social Services, overcomes obstacles faced by the client, such as system rigidity, fragmented services, under-utilization of services, and lack of accessibility to certain services and resources. In contrast to traditional case management approaches, which are often tied to single clinical disciplines or to a single service system, ICCs are intended and empowered to cut across organizational and disciplinary boundaries.
Responsibilities:
Provide outreach to engage children and families who are eligible for the program. Conduct a comprehensive, strengths-based assessment of the child and family and their service needs. Develop a child and family specific service plan in collaboration with each family. Assist families in securing identified services and advocating to other systems for the provision of these services in an individualized and collaborative manner. Facilitate the creation of a support network for each child and family; convene regular meetings of the family and monitor progress towards jointly developed service goals. Facilitate ongoing communication among the child, family and community providers. Provide crisis intervention and stabilization to children and families in the program as needed. Develop knowledge of and positive relationships with the multiple systems serving families and youth in Westchester County. Document client progress and maintain a permanent record of client activity according to established methods and procedures. Practice with a person-centered, trauma-informed philosophy in alignment with the values of Greater Mental Health of New York. Other designated or related duties.
Competencies:
Must be knowledgeable of mental health diagnoses, suicide assessments, and psychopharmacology. Familiarity with and ability to use an Electronic Health Record system. Experience understanding family systems based on diversity of cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Highly organized, detail-oriented, and self-motivated. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): ICC is expected to complete documentation in a timely manner, as per DSS contract and agency's standards. ICC is expected to visit families a minimum of two times per month as per DSS contract requirements.
Requirements:
The Individualized Care Coordinator must have a Bachelor's Degree in the human service field and two years of experience in providing direct services or linking children to a broad array of services or a Master's Degree in the human service field with one year of experience. Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and database management systems. Familiarity with and ability to use an Electronic Health Record system. Must be reliable and able to work independently and understand the importance of maintaining confidentiality. The Individualized Care Coordinator must have and maintain a valid Driver's License with a driving record that is satisfactory to our insurance carrier. The Individualized Care Coordinator must maintain current New York State Defensive Driving certification. Must be cleared and maintain clearance by applicable regulatory clearances as required. Legally eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship. Fluency in English (Reading, Writing, Speaking). Fluency in Spanish is preferred but not required.
Special Considerations :
Must be able to meet with families when youth are out of school during after-school hours. This is a mobile position requiring field work. Hours per week, reporting structure, and location are subject to change per program needs.
Mandated Reporter:
This is a Mandated Reporter position. The NYS Justice Center legislation defines anyone who has regular and substantial contact with any person with special needs as a "custodian" under the law and, therefore, a mandated reporter. You can be held liable by both the civil and criminal legal systems for intentionally failing to make a report. Greater Mental Health of New York is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Greater Mental Health of New York is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request a reasonable accommodation, contact the Human Resources Department.
