LOCATION: Brooklyn, NY

REPORTS TO: Director of Case Management

DEPARTMENT: New York City Residential Programs

SCHEDULE: Full Time / Hybrid

 

 

$1000.00 Hiring Incentive

 

AGENCY BACKGROUND:
MercyFirst 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 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, MercyFirst serves more than 3,000 children, teenagers and families overcome enormous obstacles, re-imagine their futures and develop their full potential.
 

PROGRAM BACKGROUND:
MercyFirst’ s Pregnant, Postpartum, Parenting (PPP) Program provides 24-hour residential care and supportive services for youth with a history of trauma and the presence of complex needs. Three agency-operated group homes provide youth with structure and supervision within family-like settings designed to provide evidence-based treatment to promote emotional and physical safety and stability, practice positive coping skills, and build healthy relationships, as well as case management services to support discharge planning through family reunification or independent housing, and youth development services to foster growth and competency in daily life skills. The residential programs provide specialized residential foster care for teens who are pregnant or parenting, and also accommodate their child.

POSITION SUMMARY:
Parent Educator for the PPP program will be responsible for assessment, engagement and parenting skills training services for teen parents and their babies. This qualified candidate will be a part of a multi-disciplinary team and will provide individual and group sessions geared to support young parents (including involved fathers) in their development of strengths and competencies as the primary caretaker of their child. Parent Educator will partner with the young parents in developing a service plan that will promote bonding, physical care competencies, effective parenting, self- esteem and support future-focused goals for the new family. qualified candidate will complete required progress notes, assessments, Psychosocial reports, and treatment plans.
 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct individual assessment of familial interaction, child-care knowledge, strengths and areas in need of additional support as it relates to teen’s role as parent/primary caretaker
• Conduct individual sessions with teen parent and child delivering training, support, role modeling
• Become trained in Evidence-based Models: Parenting Journey, Circle of Security and deliver weekly group training sessions engaging residents and staff
• Document all contacts in designated platforms within established timeframes.
• Prepare all required documentation on each case which include progress notes, psychosocial reports, treatment plans, etc.
• Actively participate in staff training and supervision meetings.
• Respond to emergencies as needed and/or directed.
• Participate in Family Team Conference, Child Safety conference and other organized conferences.
• Provide after-care services to clients upon discharge from residential care.

• Participation in weekly supervision, program meetings, trainings and workshops to enhance professional development and advance program development initiatives
• Establish and sustain a workplace environment that is respectful and supportive of staff, all members of family, community service providers, and other external stakeholders
• Collaborate with other community-based service providers to advance client-specific needs and assist with obtaining services including, but not limited to housing, financial assistance, health care, mental health services, education services, legal advocacy, and parenting support

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree (BA) in Human Services field with a minimum of 2 years child welfare experience with teens preferred, or Associates/High School diploma with a minimum of 6 years of work experience with adolescent parents in a residential setting required.
• Knowledge and training in working with children and families including child development stages and family dynamics.
• Prior experience working with children and families known to the Child Welfare system, impacted by Abuse and Trauma preferred.
• Strong Engagement, Organizational and Communication skills.
• Knowledge of and commitment to child welfare best practice standards.
• Understanding and willingness to commit to the agency’s mission, core values, Sanctuary commitments and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and belonging (DEIB)
• Ability to accommodate a flexible work schedule, including evenings and weekends and to be on call for emergencies.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite
• Demonstrate competency in child development.
• Demonstrate cultural competency.

 

BENEFITS/PERKS:

• A comprehensive health insurance package including medical, dental and vision plans for you and your family
• 403B retirement benefits
• Employer-paid life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Generous paid time off (vacation, personal, sick days, and 12 paid holidays)
• Free employee assistance program through National EAP
• Insurance discounts for our staff and their families
• Trainings to support professional and personal development.
• Employee wellness program
• Employee recognition activities

SALARY:
$55,000 - $60,000 per year
$1000 hiring bonus after 500 worked hours

MercyFirst is an inclusive, anti-racist, multicultural organization and an Equal Opportunity Employer who welcomes prospective employees from diverse backgrounds for all levels at the agency. We strive for a workforce that is reflective of the communities we serve, and do not discriminate basis of actual or perceived race, color, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, religion or creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability, age (18 and over), military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, marital status, partnership status, care giver status, pregnancy, genetic information or predisposition or genetic characteristic, unemployment status, status as a victim or witness of domestic violence, sex offenses or stalking, consumer credit history, or any other status protected by federal, state, and/or city law. This includes, but is not limited to, employment actions against and treatment of employees and applicants for employment.