About PLN
Founded on Skid Row in 1980, Para Los Niños provides education and wraparound support, serving over 10,000 children, youth, and families annually in some of the most underserved areas in Los Angeles. PLN fosters pathways to success by striving for excellence in education, family support, and comprehensive social-emotional, and community-based services.
Through early education, TK-8th grade education, youth workforce services, and family and community services Para Los Niño’s’ model provides a comprehensive, holistic approach to break the cycle of poverty and help children and youth thrive.
Position Overview:
Under the supervision of the Family Preservation Clinical Coordinator, the Social Worker is responsible for completing family assessments and in-home outreach counseling services for families in the Family Preservation Program. The Social Worker works collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team and assigned families to develop service plan goals and provide supportive intervention for children and families in a manner consistent with best practices and contractual requirements from DCFS.
Duties:
- Participates in the ongoing Quality Assurance efforts for the provision of family preservation services to children and families.
- Conducts in home visits and works with clients following their initiative in the development and achievement of their case plan goals.
- In collaboration with members of the client’s treatment team and clinical supervisor, co-facilitates multi-disciplinary case conferences to develop initial treatment plans as well as to review ongoing progress.
- Maintains and seeks communication with community groups and resources, which support the client’s well-being and parental capacity.
- Completes FP Up Front Assessments (UFA) to assess adults for Domestic Violence, Mental Health, and Substance Use and provides a clinical diagnosis utilizing the DSM 5.
- Participates in staff meetings, case conferences, training, and professional consultation as necessary.
- Participates in weekly individual and group supervision.
- Follows state laws regarding confidential information in verbal and written communication.
- Maintains client files to level of requirements mandated in agency policy and completes documentation in a timely manner.
- Prepares correspondenceand reports in connection with case requirements by contracting entities, such as family assessment form (FAF), weekly progress notes, monthly and termination reports.
- Must be able to maintain positive working collaborative relationships with family services staff.
- Performs other job-related duties assigned by direct supervisor.
Additional duties
- Carries out mission, vision, and values established by the President/C.E.O. and Board of Directors.
- Participates in the overall agency CQI process.
- Must have the ability to nurture respectful relationships with clients, children and must be sensitive to the clients cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
Qualifications and Experience Requirements
- English proficiency supporting professional-level verbal and written communication to children, parents and other staff members required.
Education and Certification Requirements
- Successfully pass all post offer, pre-employment screening requirements, including criminal background check, drug test and provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States.
- Current certification in CPR/First Aid.
- MSW or MA in related field preferred. A Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or closely related field in combination with relevant years of experience will be considered in lieu of an advanced degree.
- At least three (3) years in case management experience working with low-income children and families.
Special Skills/Knowledge/Abilities
- Strong leadership skills desired with a solid foundation on human development and family dynamics.
- A clinical Professional background is also highly desirable.
- A keen understanding of the African American and Latino communities.
- Must have the ability to nurture respectful relationships with clients, children and must be sensitive to the clients cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
- Organized, multi-task, detail oriented.
- Able to prioritize, to work independently and as team member.
- Experience in providing high quality training in the areas of family dynamics, and strength base models.
- Bilingual/bicultural required.
Other Requirements
- Must have reliable transportation and State required automobile insurance coverage and valid. Class C California driver’s license (mileage to be reimbursed).
- Clean driving record.
Physical Requirements
To perform this job the individual must be able to carry out all essential functions satisfactorily.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
- Approximately 50% of time is spent sitting, while frequently required to walk, stand and bend.
- Must be able to speak and hear well.
- Good vision is imperative.
- Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
- Employee will be required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds without assistance.
Expectations for All Para Los Niños Staff
Candidates for employment at Para Los Niños, regardless of position, will consistently demonstrate the following:
- Unwavering belief in and commitment to fulfill the mission of Para Los Niños.
- Deep commitment to the success of all PLN students and families.
- Commitment to excellence and high standards -- for self, students, and colleagues.
- Continuous learning by engaging in reflection, self-assessment, and individual professional development.
- Use of data to inform decisions and drive continuous improvement.
- Ability to thrive as a member of a collaborative team.
- Self-motivation and initiative with solutions-oriented disposition.
- Belief in and ability to develop respectful relationships with families and children informed by the students’ cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to effectively handle challenging situations.
- Comfort with basic Microsoft Office applications and a curiosity and propensity to push own adoption of new technology and approaches.
- Regular, punctual attendance and professional appearance.
Para Los Niños is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer
It is the established policy of Para Los Niños (PLN) to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without discrimination with regard to race, religious belief (including dress or grooming practices), color, sex, sex stereotype, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions (including breast feeding), age, national origin (including possessing a driver’s license issued under Vehicle Code § 12801.9), ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identification and expression, transgender status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic characteristics, genetic information, family care, marital status, enrollment in any public assistance program, status as military, a veteran or qualified disabled veteran, status as an unpaid intern or volunteer, or any other classification protected by law. PLN also prohibits discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics.
