Senior Officer, Mental Health & Special Populations at Church World Service, Inc. in New York, New York

Job Description:

Overview



The Children's Services Department (CSD), which includes the Home Study and Post Release Services Program, is driven by a mission that promotes the safety and well-being of unaccompanied children as they reunify with their families across the United States. As a department, our approach to care is through a child-centric, culturally competent, and trauma-informed lens that empowers the children and families we walk alongside. To fulfill our mission, we employ shared guiding principles of integrity, compassion, cooperation, accountability and belonging. The Children's Services Department launched inaugural programming to serve unaccompanied children in 2021. In 2024, we are grateful to partner with a provider network, both CWS local offices and other non-profit organizations across 23 locations in the United States to support Unaccompanied children as they are released from the Office of Refugee Resettlement.



About CWS



Imagine waking up every morning with the chance to change someone's life. Imagine knowing your efforts will benefit both your career and our neighbors around the world. At CWS, our team knows they are making a difference every day. Whether you're in our U.S.-based offices supporting refugees, asylees or unaccompanied children ... implementing hygiene initiatives in Cambodia or rebuilding projects in Central America ... or even connecting remotely from your home on fundraising campaigns, grant reports, or critical communications - you have the opportunity to work towards a world where everyone has food, a voice and a safe place to call home.



Purpose



As part of CSD and the national HSPRS team, the Senior Officer, Mental Health & Special Populations supports the HSPRS Provider Network in the provision of Intensive Case Management (ICM), which includes Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). The ICM program ensures that the emotional, psychosocial, and mental health needs of children are met with a focus on crisis intervention, family preservation, and treatment options for children who have experienced trauma. In addition, the Senior Officer provides expertise in especially complex situations involving survivors of trafficking and special UC populations (Unaccompanied Afghan Minors, for example). The Senior Officer role is instrumental in the national launch of the ICM program, ensuring HSPRS providers have adequate
guidance and tools. The Senior Officer serves as a liaison between Providers and the National teams of Client Services Training and Technical Assistance, Case Processing / Data Entry, and Monitoring & Evaluation teams.
The Senior Officer ensures compliance with state regulations and best practices for clinical interventions with unaccompanied children and their caregivers. The Senior Officer does not provide clinical services or clinical supervision but will provide technical assistance to sites and work closely to incorporate their feedback and expertise into the continued development and expansion.



Responsibilities



Program Management:

• Support the lunch of ICM program across CWS national network.


• Work in close collaboration with local teams and ICM staff to elevate their experience and expertise in launching ICM.


• Serve as subject matter expert and source of information and analysis on TF-CBT and other modalities and clinical tools that shape the clinical component of ICM PRS.


• Provide direction on trauma interventions and complex issues such as bereavement, child protection, loss and separation, suicide prevention and crisis intervention. Ability to modify and apply approaches and guidance across diverse groups of affected populations is key.


• Track and communicate trends (reasons for referral, effectiveness of ICM with eligible youth, number and profile of youth requiring higher levels of care than identified while in care, etc.) to Director, Senior Director, and Policy Team.


• Collaborate with Client Services, HSPRS Director and data team to develop indicators specific to ICM to measure impact.


• Represent CWS in inter-agency meetings and external groups as relevant to contribute to and raise awareness of mental health needs of UC and clinical services provided by CWS. As assigned.


• Promote staff safety and well-being and participate in creating policy and training materials that reinforce the same.
  Program Quality and Compliance:


• Serve as an expert on Policy and Procedures for the delivery of ICM.


• Support Deputy Director for Client Services and Program Manager for Training and Technical Assistance in identifying and facilitating training opportunities for local Supervisors and direct service staff, with a focus on complex interventions, clinical skills building and integrating clinical component into PRS case management activities.


• Support Deputy Director of Monitoring and Evaluation in ensuring compliance with CWS and ORR policies and procedures, timeliness in ICM service provision across the network.


• With the Director, analyzes monitoring findings to identify trends and communicates them to Training and Technical Assistance Program Manager, as appropriate.


• Serve as a mandated reporter and ensure reporting of suspected abuse or neglect.


• Support HSPRS leadership to create and communicate policies and procedures (Standard Operating Procedures, client facing forms, Policy and Procedure Manual) to national network and update as needed.


• Reviews and analyzes case capacity report and addresses challenges to meeting capacity goals across the network.


• Support supervisors and affiliate network, as requested, in troubleshooting specific capacity issues.

Qualifications



Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience providing clinical services to unaccompanied children, immigrant and/or refugee youth and families.


• 3 years' supervisory experience with UC programming (post release services, child welfare, family reunification / preservation).


• 3 years' supervisory experience in a clinical setting required.


• At least 5 years of demonstrated professional and practical experience related to advising, assessing, monitoring, managing, implementing or evaluating child mental health programs.


• Prior experience networking and building relationships across organizations or programs is required.


• Demonstrated experience in designing and delivering technical training required.


• Prior experience collaborating with stakeholders in complex interventions with clients.


• Extensive experience and comfort conducting in-home behavioral health services.


• Experience providing technical support and guidance to large teams geographically disbursed preferred

Skills:

• High level of competency in crisis intervention and supervision of others in responding to complex and crisis situations required.


• High level of competency in responding to trafficking, severe abuse, intimate partner violence, suicidal ideation/attempt, exploitation including knowledge of resources, safety planning and stabilization approaches.


• Fluency in English and Spanish preferred.


• High level of competency in engaging diverse teams with varying communication styles.


• Proficiency working in databases.


• Strong organizational skills.


• Superior written and verbal communication skills.


• Ability to track and analyze data and adjust plans to ensure performance.


• Organized and ability to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.


• Self-directed and exceptional time management skills.


• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment

Education & Certifications:

• Master's in social work or equivalent degree in behavior sciences or a social service field required


• Clinical License (LCSW, LMHC, LPC, LMFT, etc.) required

Special Requirements

• Able to sit for an extended period in an office setting.


• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.


• Remote position must have access to reliable internet.


• Standard work hours with occasional evening or weekend assignment


• Valid driver's license, personal vehicle and insurance required


• Successfully pass PREA, FBI, Motor Vehicle Records and Child Abuse and Neglect Checks.


• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and willingness to support CWS' Platform on Racial Justice as a CWS employee required.


• Occasional travel (network conference, technical support, program retreat, etc.)

Benefits



CWS offers a competitive benefits package that includes:
- 403 (b) Retirement Plan
- Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
- Generous Paid Time Off (18 Paid Days Off; 24 Days Off after 2 Years)
- 14 Official Holidays
- 12 Sick Days Off (Accrued monthly)
- Life Insurance and AD&D
- Long Term and Short-Term Disability
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Health Savings Account
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Commuter Benefits Apply Now