Case Planner - RTC - Rising Ground, Inc

Rising Ground 

Founded as an orphanage in 1831, Rising Ground has been at the forefront of evolving community needs. Driven by the belief that each of us can thrive when life has hope and opportunity, Rising Ground provides caring support and proven paths to positive change, helping children, adults, and families rise above adversity, and each year, Rising Ground is a positive force in the lives of more than 25,000 individuals. We do this through 50 programs in 70 locations throughout New York City and Westchester. Our strong belief and commitment to diversity shows not just through our work with supported persons but is integral to the building of a strong staff that reflects the communities we serve. Rising Ground is headquartered in downtown Brooklyn. 

Benefits

At Rising Ground, we encourage everyone to live a healthier life. When you enroll in health care benefits — medical, dental, and vision care, you and your family can take advantage of each plan’s preventive services, which will help everyone to stay well. Another way to remain healthy is to eat right and keep active. Ultimately, we all benefit when we make the right choices, whether through diet and exercise or health care services. You can also take advantage of other important benefits, including life and accident, disability benefits, the retirement savings plan, and the employee assistance program.

Summary/Objective: The RTC Case Planner reports directly to the Program Director of the RTC (Residential Treatment Center). The RTC CP manages all the social service needs and ensures that all DSS requirements are met within mandated timeframes. The RTC CP responsibilities include handling all aspects of trial discharges, including planning, documentation, coordination, and communication. The RTC CP will also be responsible for ensuring that adolescents on suspended pay receive appropriate support and guidance, assisting with returning the adolescents safely to program. The CP is a professional responsible for working collaboratively with all Rising Ground staff to ensure that essential treatment services are delivered to adolescents and their families. This involves the coordination and implementation of services/activities adhering to all program scheduling, policies, and procedures, utilizing Therapeutic Crisis Intervention, ICMP (Individual Crisis Management Plan) and other applicable program models. 

Case Planning Responsibilities

• Compliance with The Department of Social Services regulations. This includes but is not limited to: completion of FASPs, Permanency Hearing Reports, Incident Reports, AWOCs and Progress notes, as well as maintaining casework contact standards as issued by OCFS.
• Responsible for the maintenance of the case records for assigned cases to ensure that all documentation is in the appropriate place.
• Provision of services to ensure achievement of the earliest possible permanency.
• Facilitate discharges (trial, final) as per Permanency Planning Goals.
• Maintain an organized if trial discharge cases, including relevant documentation and outcomes.
• Coordinate meetings and discussions related to trial discharges, ensuring all relevant parties are involved and informed.
• Collaborate with the legal team and staff to address any legal issues or concerns related to trial discharges.
• Stay current with relevant policies and procedures to ensure trial discharges are conducted in compliance.
• Develop and implement comprehensive case plans, considering each adolescent’s circumstances while on suspended pay or trial discharge.
• Diligent efforts to collaborate with agency staff, school staff, law enforcement and other providers to locate adolescents and return them safely to program.

• Provide individual, family and group counseling.  Establish and maintain therapeutic relationships with assigned families.
• Ensure that each child has a visiting/permanency resource, and that the resource’s home is safe.
• Ensure concurrent planning.
• Conduct home assessments and on-going family visits.
• Attend all court hearings and appointments.
• Ensure that adolescents are in receipt of all social service entitlements and are in possession of all legal documents.
• Prepare for, schedule, and participate in family team conferences.
• Complete psychosocial on all cases and ensures that all adolescents have up-to-date clinical evaluations on file.
• Ensure monthly notes are inputted in connections in a monthly basis.
• Participate in bi-weekly supervision with supervisor.
• Complete exceptions to policy when necessary and submit them to the RTC Program Director.

Program Responsibilities

• Initiate, support, and participate with adolescents in the performance of activities during recreation and various other program activities. This includes driving an agency vehicle if deemed certified, as needed/expected.
• Works collaboratively with providers facilitate group and individual workshops/activities (educational, independent living, etc.)
• Set and contribute to a safe, dignified, orderly atmosphere by enforcing program rules, policies, and procedures.
• Act as a role model - guiding clients and facilitating appropriate behavior about daily living skills, self-care, personal interaction, social relationships, and constructive time management.
• At all times model the appropriate dress, speech, and behavior for residents. This includes dressing professionally or in designated work uniforms/dress code if prescribed.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with adolescents and staff; Respond to all requests in a professional and courteous manner; Observe and adhere to adolescent confidentiality standards.
• Maintain thorough and accurate records, files, correspondence, and statistics; Complete necessary documentation (both hand-written and computer based/data entry) in a timely, accurate, complete, and legible manner. May include, but not limited to notations in the log, incident reports, sign-in sheets, referrals, schedules, and any other forms used or as directed by your supervisor.
• Respond appropriately to emergencies including contacting appropriate staff and supervisors, interacting with police, fire, and medical personnel as needed.
• Maintain and promote a cooperative, harmonious, teamwork environment within the workplace. Maintain and promote an atmosphere of dignity and respect in line with the philosophy and policies of Rising Ground.
• Utilize Agency monies when provided only for prescribed activities. Maintain appropriate receipts.
• Ensure effective communication of priority information to all necessary staff and shifts.
• Participate in all staff meetings, multi-disciplinary meetings, treatment meetings, planning meetings and all meetings and training courses applicable to the role

   

   

Work Environment

This position is based out of our Residential Treatment Center Program for adolescents ages 13-21.

Physical Demands

Must successfully complete Therapeutic Crises Intervention Training (TCI), including the physical portion.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This position is in a 24/7 program.  Additionally, evening and weekend hours will be required.  Available shifts are based on program need.

• Candidate must have a BA in Social Work or in other related human services field and 1-3 years post experience.
• A safe driving record as determined by NYS Department of Motor Vehicles.
• Developed verbal, written and interpersonal communications skills.
• Flexibility with changing priorities and ability to successfully manage multiple projects.
• Bi- lingual in Spanish preferred but not required.
• An initiator who can prioritize and complete work with minimal supervision.
• Travel - The Case Planner is required to attend court appointments, hearings, and make and supervise home visits and sibling visits.
• Computer proficiency, knowledge of Connections
• Knowledge of child welfare and related legislation
• Demonstrated knowledge of family court procedures

Salary: $60,000.00

Full benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO, matching 401k

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.