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The Immigration Social Worker will work closely with an in-house immigration attorney serving an overlapping caseload of 30-40 undocumented unaccompanied minors (UUMs). The Immigration Social Worker will serve as the case manager and service navigator, and will provide comprehensive, client-centered services that include, but are not limited to: intake screening and assessment, case management, goal setting, and interventions, supporting the legal case by providing written declarations and supporting documents as needed, serve as the child’s advocate in other systems external to the case that nonetheless impact the child’s overall well-being, and work alongside parents/guardians to determine what services need to be put in place to ensure that our clients are in the best position possible to succeed.
They will prepare the child for court and support clients who have experienced trauma and mental health issues, or developmental disabilities that impact their well-being.
Additionally, this position will support the: Immigration Legal and Social Work Services Project (ILSWSP). The project’s aim is two-fold— to support the expansion of integrated legal and social services with a goal of building capacity and promote best practices in holistic legal representation of unaccompanied children. The social worker will become a thought partner as we create internal policies and implement best practices in holistic legal representation for unaccompanied children.
Responsibilities:
- Advocacy on behalf of children who are represented through ILSWSP.
- Assessment, records review, case management, and support of client’s access to services.
- Introduce positive coping skills, safety planning, impart emotional support to a child by accompanying them to court and other important appointments, liaison with other service providers in the child’s life such as primary mental health providers, and support families at reunification.
- Accompaniment of Client and family visits in the community, at school, at court, as needed.
- “Warm handoffs” to community resources which includes but is not limited to, locating services, scheduling appointments, facilitating transportation, and conducting any necessary follow up.
- Help obtain, review, and interpret medical and mental health records to provide supporting documentation for court.
- Enter and report data regarding caseload work and trends in the field.
- Continue upgrading knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to keep abreast of regulation/policy changes that impact unaccompanied children.
- Other duties as assigned.
Deliverables:
- Within the first 90 days, be able to familiarize yourself with the UUM immigration services CCEB offers and the social services and documentary needs.
- Within the first 6 months, complete intake screenings and assessments, and Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths assessment and trafficking screening for minors eligible for support.
- Within the first year, coordinate care and navigation services in collaboration with relevant program staff, provide concurrent services planning, and case file documentation and maintenance for a case load of up to 30 minors.
Core Competencies:
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Familiarity with resources in a specific region. - Experience in developing a resource guide for clients.
- Knowledge of government and public benefits, and coordination of services.
- Experience providing clinical therapy and providing a clinical assessment.
- Identifying and diagnosing mental illnesses and developing treatment plans with the client.
- Employing clinical interventions to help the client reach their goals.
- Crisis support.
Qualifications/Requirements:
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Masters in Social Work (“MSW”). - Working knowledge of the immigration system or other systems that impact children (education, delinquency, and dependency/child welfare).
- Understanding of resources and network of services for youth and their families in our community.
- Proven dedication to serving youth and underserved communities.
- Exemplary communication and advocacy skills.
- Experience working with school-aged youth.
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) required.
- Fingerprinting and TB Testing