US - Home Study & PRS Caseworker
Church World Service, Inc.

Job Info

Position Title: Home Study and Post Release Services Caseworker (Harrisburg)

Reports To: Home Study and Post Release Services Supervisor

Team: Immigration and Refugee Program

Location: Based at CWS Harrisburg office, reporting to CWS Lancaster

Grade: 6

Status: • Non-Exempt • Non-Bargaining

Introduction

Church World Service (CWS) is a not-for-profit organization working to eradicate hunger and poverty and to promote peace and justice around the world. CWS does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, disability or veteran status in employment or in the provision of services.

Primary Purpose:

The Home Study and Post Release Services Caseworker (HS&PRS Caseworker) will provide collaborative home study services to Unaccompanied Immigrant Children’s sponsors to support the safe and timely release of Unaccompanied Children (UC) from Federal care. In addition, the HS&PRS Caseworker will provide therapeutic, strengths-based and culturally and linguistically appropriate case management services to children post release from Federal care in the community where their sponsor resides. Caseworkers will conduct outreach and education to community service providers to supplement existing services that do not adequately address unique needs of immigrant children.

The incumbent will be based out of the CWS-Harrisburg sub-office while reporting to CWS Lancaster and will travel within the Harrisburg and surrounding areas to conduct in-person home visits to interview and provide psychoeducation as well as monitoring of the placement for unaccompanied children and their sponsors. Travel to surrounding counties and other areas may be required based on program referrals. Periodic travel to the CWS Lancaster office for in-person meetings and other duties is required.

Essential Duties

Home Study

1. Conduct in-person home visits to interview and provide psychoeducation to Sponsors.

2. Complete reports within 10 days of receiving Home Study referral with assessment information and findings.

Post Release Services

1. Conduct in-person home visits with children and sponsors post-release from federal care.

2. Conduct child centered needs assessments.

3. Develop individualized strength-based goal-oriented service plans.

4. Coordinate referrals in relevant service need areas such as legal, education, medical, mental health; Support immigrant children and sponsor with enrollment and access of services in community.

5. Provide psychoeducation to children and Sponsor on relevant topics.

6. Support children and sponsor to cope with family reunification stressors.

7. Monitor progress of goal completion.

8. Monitor the safety and well-being of children including but not limited to indications of trafficking and abuse and neglect.

9. Serve as a mandated reporter and work with child welfare as needed.

10. Network and develop partnerships within the local community to educate providers on children’s needs and to reinforce/increase partnerships in relevant areas.

11. Write case notes and maintain thorough case files; enter data; complete reports in a time sensitive manner.

Common Duties:

1. Effectively coordinate and work in tandem with other service providers to assist refugee clients, avoid duplication of services, and maximize efficiency.

2. Effectively use technology to maximize efficiency and quality of work during intake, needs assessments, and data entry.

3. Advocate for equal access to services for refugees and immigrants.

4. Keep informed about refugee and immigrant issues and available services to clients, using current information to better identify and serve refugee and immigrant clients.

5. Attend weekly meetings with supervisor and other agency staff.

6. Undertake other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education: Required - Minimum education of a bachelor’s degree in Social Work (BSW) or an equivalent degree in education, psychology, sociology, or other behavioral science.

Experience: At least 1 year of experience working with children and youth, family reunification/preservation, and or foster care/child welfare and previous work experience and interest working with foreign born populations is required. Ability to provide trauma-informed psychosocial education and case management is required.

Special Requirements

• Fluency in English and Spanish

• Valid driver's license and insurance

• Access to Personal vehicle

• Must be able to travel frequently and independently throughout relevant region.

• Must be able to work evenings and weekends as assigned.

• Must be able to pass an FBI background check and a Child Abuse/Neglect check

• CWS’ U.S. COVID-19 Vaccination Policy requires all new staff to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination as soon as reasonable, no longer than 60 days of employment. Any employee who is pregnant, who is nursing, who has a disability, or who has a medical condition that prevents them from safe vaccination, or who rejects vaccination because of sincerely held religious beliefs, may contact the CWS Benefits Administrator to request reasonable accommodation as defined by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

Competencies:

General: Able to work creatively and independently, maintain client confidentiality, and work collaboratively with community partners. Above average decision and problem-solving skills, high moral character, and impeccable judgment absolutely necessary.

Communication: Able to communicate thoroughly and with self-confidence a broad range of information. Able to speak publicly with local providers to advocate for equal access to services on behalf of refugee clients.

Applying Instructions: Visit cwsglobal.org and click on the Employment link to find this position application. Inclusion of a cover letter and a current resume are required.

CWS offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• 403 (b) Retirement Plan

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance

• Paid Time Off

• Life Insurance and AD&D

• Long Term and Short-Term Disability

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• Health Savings Account

• Flexible Spending Accounts

• Commuter Benefits