Mental Health Clinician - Foster Care

Overview

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.

 

The Unaccompanied Children Long Term Foster Care Program provides a safe and secure placement to Unaccompanied Children (UC) who following an initial placement in an ORR/DUCO care provider facility, and after efforts for the safe and timely release indicated that no sponsor is willing or able to care for the UC, and the UC is expected to have a protracted length of time in ORR care. Working in collaboration with the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement, ORR, our program provides a safe and nurturing environment for youth in licensed foster homes in the community. We provide therapeutic, medical and educational services, as well as other supports that youth need to achieve success through an array of strength-based and targeted interventions as we link them with family members and/or other sponsors in the United States. We want all children we support to move forward with their lives and thrive.

 

About the Role:

The Clinician plays an essential role in providing in depth assessment and ongoing mental health and emotional support to Unaccompanied Children (UC) while in LTFC. This role involves addressing the child’s safety and well-being by coordinating services, conducting in-depth assessments, and ensuring that minors are connected to necessary mental health resources. The Clinician is expected to conduct a more comprehensive and intensive assessment of the child to develop and execute tailored case plans to ensure long-term stability. This position requires interaction with community services, educational agencies, and other stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Clinical responsibilities include all necessary tasks as required by the Federal Office of Refugee Resettlement 
• Ensure all ORR, OCFS mandates and requirements are met. 
• Conducts comprehensive assessments using standardized measures as per standards set forth by Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). 
• Provides individual and group therapy. Makes referrals for additional mental health services as needed. 
• Provides crisis management and ongoing therapeutic support. 
• Create Behavioral Plans, Individual Crisis Management Plans and Safety Plans as needed to provide ongoing support to UC and foster parents.  
• Maintain regular communication and coordination of services with all members of the multidisciplinary team. 
• Ensure that all UC have a safe and appropriate discharge plan and that all mental health services are in place prior to discharge. 
• Ensure constant communication about the case with the Case Manager and the Treatment Team to create an effective and diligent provision of services that meet the UC’s needs. 
• Develops an maintain contact with UC, foster parent, potential sponsors and all parties part of UC’s life (including school and service providers as needed) for set up and follow up of all related MH services.  
• Participates in treatment team meetings and other meetings pertaining to the clinical needs of the youth on their caseload.   
• Completes paperwork in a timely manner, ensuring that the clinical records meet the requirements of standards set by ORR. Prepares for audits accordingly. 
• Coordinate visits with the Foster Parents as needed so provision of clinical services is more comprehensive; if behavioral plans are needed, the Foster Parent should be involved and informed.  
• Maintains confidentiality of sensitive and protected information according to HIPAA standards. 
• After hours and weekend coverage required as needed. 

 

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in MH and or Clinical field is a must; licensure preferred 
• Bi-lingual (English/Spanish) a must. 
• Experience working with traumatized/exploited children, and children with behavioral problems is a plus. 
• TF-CBT experience a plus.  

Supervisory Responsibility

This position does not have direct supervisory responsibilities. The LTFC Clinician will work independently with guidance and support from their supervisor and other