Gaps and Initial Services Caseworker - Jewish Family Services of Western New York

WHY JOIN JFS?
For more than 150 years, Jewish Family Services of Western New York has been committed to providing high quality services to all in need in the interest of helping to "repair the world." Our services are guided by the essential connection between mental well-being, physical wellness, and positive self-worth. Our reputation is the result of our exceptional staff. In addition to offering competitive compensation and truly exceptional benefits, we are committed to providing a supportive, inclusive work environment in which all employees are able to contribute their best.

OUR VALUES
Be a Mensch - A person who is ethical, decent, and admirable. It's someone who acts with integrity and honor, often showing kindness and consideration towards others. Being called a Mensch is a compliment suggesting that one's character is upright, responsible, and morally sound.
Be Person-Centered - Meeting individuals where they are at.
Be Culturally Responsive - Creating purpose-built spaces and programs for our clients that respect their culture.
Be Resolute - Tenacity, solution-seeking, and getting stuff done.

WHAT YOU'LL DO
The Gaps and Initial Services Case Worker will provide resettlement support to newly arrived Cubans, Haitians, and Ukrainians, as well limited services for other new arrivals, offering them support and services to help them reach self-sufficiency, minimize poverty, and successfully make a new home in the United States. This position primarily assists Ukrainian, Cuban and Haitian preferred Communities in gaining access to medical, social, employment, educational, and other essential services and navigating local systems, as well as supports the R&P program in providing direct financial assistance to clients within and beyond their first 90 days in the US.

Key Responsibilities
Client Services:

• Provide all initial services for newly arrived Ukrainians, Cuban, and Haitians as defined by grant This may include housing placement and setup, airport pickups, home visits, financial management, access to public benefits, medical appointments, school registration, and other services required by Preferred Community Program guidelines.
• Provide short-term case services to PC Gap clients, including intakes, limited case support, financial assistance, and referrals for clients.
• Complete Intake and needs assessment and subsequent internal/external referrals to promote self-sufficiency and integration with a strong focus on employment.
• Provide ongoing cultural and community orientation to promote independent access to community
• Secure and schedule appointments for clients with service providers and provide or arrange transportation to appointments when necessary.

Advocate for Clients' Rights:

• Coordinate and/or advocate for interpretation services to refugee clients to ensure equal access to eligible services regardless of language barrier.
• Promote client rights and access to social services, social security, health providers, mental health services, and other supportive services.

Reporting and Maintaining Files:

• Accurately document all client contact and services in client case files and Apricot, maintain case note logs per funder
• Contribute to semi-annual report via quantitative and qualitative data to demonstrate services and impact, as required by HIAS.
• Submit all required monthly data by the 3rd of the following month

Professional Development and Training:

• Attend agency and department meetings as
• Attend HIAS office hours and monthly HIAS calls
• Utilize and develop proficiency in the Apricot database

Programs Interaction and Support:

• Intermittently assist the Resettlement and Placement team with case coverage when there is an influx of R&P
• Attend integrated intake appointments with R&P and MG team
• Collaborate with Service Integration and R&P, MG, and PC ICM caseworkers to meet client's needs and avoid duplication of services.
• Attend regular case conferences
• Provide interpretation and translation for agency services as
• Identify when PC Gap services are insufficient and refer Gap clients to PC ICM services as appropriate for more intensive support

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

• Minimum of an associate degree in a human services related discipline required.
• Experience providing direct services to refugees and immigrants.
• Experience linking clients to a broad range of essential, community-based services.
• Working proficiency in Ukrainian, Spanish, or Haitian Creole strongly preferred
• Ability to provide culturally sensitive case management.
• Proficient communication skills for interaction with clients and the public.
• Strong time management and organizational skills.
• Working knowledge of community resources for refugees and immigrants.
• Strong computer skills, especially with Microsoft Outlook and Word.
• Familiarity with and appreciative of issues related to people with diverse cultures and languages.

This position will work in the office and the community; travel is a daily requirement as part of the provision of services to refugee clients, including the expectation to transport clients to and from appointments. Therefore, you must have a reliable vehicle, valid driver's license, and auto liability insurance in the amount of $100,000/$300,000. Also, if hired, you must produce evidence of having received the Covid-19 vaccination.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Competitive salary range of $21.00 to $28.00 per hour, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• Benefits such as health insurance (Independent Health), accrued Paid Time Off (PTO) of 4+ weeks, 401k retirement plan with company match, and 13+ observed holidays.
• Reduced full-time work week of 35 hours and early close on Fridays.
• A supportive and collaborative work environment.
• The chance to make meaningful impact in a dynamic and forward-thinking organization.

The above pay range is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Final compensation may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, background, knowledge, skills, and abilities.

ARE YOU READY TO JOIN OUR TEAM?
If this sounds like the opportunity that you've been looking for, please apply today by completing our application located at https://jfsbuffalo.applicantpro.com/jobsbyorganization/. Please provide a resume and cover letter along with your application.

Jewish Family Services of Western New York is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.