Permanency Specialist (QRTP Aftercare & Residential)

PERMANENCY SPECIALIST Title: Permanency Specialist - QRTP Aftercare & Residential Location: Albany, NY Program: QRTP Aftercare & Residential Type: full-time/ non-exempt Pay Range: $22.06 - $25.69 (hourly) Schedule: Monday-Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm w/flexibility required as needed Notes: This is a HYBRID position(office & remote work). Local Travel is a requirement: must have a Clean/Valid NYS Driver’s License and reliable vehicle. Job Ref. #: 0207 About St. Catherine’s Center for Children St. Catherine’s Center for Children is a non-profit organization located in the Greater Capital Region of New York. We offer a wide array of human services designed to meet the needs of vulnerable children, families and adults, including residential and therapeutic foster care programs for children and youth, Kinship support, homeless and community-based services for adults and families, a special education elementary school for ages 5-13, and so much more. St. Catherine’s is committed to cultivating a culture where all employees feel safe to bring their authentic and best selves to the workplace. We are invested in fostering an equitable, inclusive and diversified workplace; collaboratively embracing mindfulness, relevance, respect and solidarity. Our Mission: St. Catherine's Center for Children provides a comprehensive range of human services designed to offer hope, foster growth, and improve the lives of the children, families, and adults we serve. Our Vision: Our willingness to embrace change and develop new services is, and will remain, our guiding philosophy as we support the human service needs of our community. Position Overview Linked to the agency’s prevention-based aftercare services for residential youth, the Permanency Specialist coordinates case activities, administrative functions, and family support from intake through 6 months post-discharge. Working within a multidisciplinary team, this key role manages a active caseload to support youth transitioning back home or into step-down foster care, with a primary focus on achieving long-term permanency. Key Duties & Responsibilities Caseload & Direct Family Support Caseload Management: Carry a active caseload of up to 15 youth (ages 5–13), balancing children in residential placement with SCCC and those post-discharge in the community. Intake & Onboarding: Attend child entrance meetings; establish clear roles with the youth, discharge resource, and key stakeholders. Connect with identified discharge resources within 24 hours of placement. Regular Family Contact: Establish bi-weekly face-to-face contact with youth and monthly contact with the permanency resource (in-person locally; phone/video if out of state). Wraparound Family Support: Assist permanency resources with identified needs, including housing support, treatment referrals, parenting skill-building, public benefits application, and transportation barrier reduction. Prepare resources in education, medical, and behavioral health needs prior to youth's return. Post-Discharge Aftercare: Conduct bi-weekly home visits for 6 months post-discharge to provide hands-on assistance linking families to medical (PCP, dental), behavioral health (therapy, medication management), educational, and community supports. Collaboration & Permanency Planning County & Agency Liaison: Maintain regular communication with DCYF Case Managers to align on permanency milestones outside the residential setting. Permanency Meetings: Schedule and lead Permanency Meetings every 6 weeks for youth in care (involving youth age 10+, permanency resource, DCYF, and collaterals). Family Finding & Step-Down Placement: For youth unable to return home or freed for adoption, collaborate with DCYF and SCCC home-finding units to engage in Family Finding and identify potential foster home placements. Coordinate "meet and greets" and transition steps. Visitation & Supervision: Develop and execute visitation plans according to DCYF guidelines and "Quality Family Time" standards for contact with permanency resources, siblings, and family members. Multidisciplinary Teamwork: Participate actively in treatment team meetings; collaborate across departments (residential case management, nursing/medical, mental health, and schools) to contribute to the Family Assessment and Service Plan (FASP). Documentation & Administration EHR Management: Complete Aftercare Plans in AWARDS in partnership with the family and upload to NYS CONNECTIONS monthly. Case Logging: Enter comprehensive case notes in both AWARDS and NYS CONNECTIONS within 7 days of all case-related contacts. Transportation: Safely transport youth to and from case-related appointments, visits, and home transitions, maintaining a therapeutic environment. Qualifications & Position Requirements Education & Experience Required: Associate’s degree in Human Services (or related field) with at least 2 years of relevant professional experience. Preferred: Bachelor’s degree in Social Work (BSW) or related human services field. System Knowledge: Prior experience working in a human services agency; experience with AWARDS and NYS OCFS CONNECTIONS preferred. Skills & Competencies Technical Proficiency: Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Google Workspace (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Meet). Clinical Modalities: Familiarity with or ability to apply Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI), Quality Family Time, Family Finding, and Motivational Interviewing techniques. Communication & Writing: Strong attention to detail with excellent written aptitude, organizational skills, and time management. Interpersonal Skills: Ability to work collaboratively in a shared decision-making team, manage emotional reactivity under pressure, and establish appropriate professional boundaries with diverse clients. Driving & Schedules Driver’s License & Vehicle: Must possess a clean, valid New York State Driver’s License (held for at least 1 year), meet agency insurance requirements (minimum age 21 at time of hire), and have a reliable personal vehicle for client transportation when agency vehicles are unavailable. Work Schedule: Willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings, to accommodate family schedules. What We Offer You**At St. Catherine’s Center for Children, we believe in taking care of the people who take care of our community. We offer competitive compensation alongside a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, wealth, and professional growth: Financial Security & Future Planning Pension Plan: Secure your future with a retirement pension plan featuring a generous agency contribution. 403(b) Retirement Savings: Pre-tax savings options to further build your nest egg. Student Loan Forgiveness: As a 501(c)(3) non-profit agency, employment here qualifies eligible staff for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. Expense Reimbursements: Travel and mileage reimbursements for any role-related transit. Health & Well-being Comprehensive Health Insurance: Choice of robust Medical, Dental, and Vision plans to fit your needs. Well-being Reimbursement: A $600 annual benefit dedicated to supporting your personal wellness journey. Work-Life Balance: Generous Combined Leave Time (CLT) plus paid holidays so you can rest and recharge. Life Insurance: Fully employer-paid, automatic life insurance coverage at no cost to you. Professional Growth & Culture Paid Certifications & Training: Fully covered training updates, including Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) and CPR/AED/First Aid. Tuition Assistance: Financial support for continuing education and tuition reimbursement opportunities. Career Advancement: Clear pathways for professional development and internal career growth. Our Culture: Enjoy the comfort of a welcoming, business-casual work environment rooted in our core values of Mindfulness, Relevance, Respect, and Solidarity. **Please note: To qualify for specific benefits, certain terms and conditions may apply. Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) StatementSt. Catherine’s Center for Children is deeply committed to creating a diverse, inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, reproductive health, pregnancy, family history, genetics, disability, age, military status, veteran status, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. If you would like to learn more about our agency or one of our many programs, please visit our website at: www.st-cath.org