ABOUT THE COMPANY
Mission: To strive for equity for our youth by valuing and supporting the life they envision.
Values: Trust, Respect, Empathy, Inclusion & Advocacy

JOB DESCRIPTION
Position Title: Resource Family Social Worker
Employment Classification: Full-Time; Salary; Exempt
Reports to: Resource Family Social Worker Supervisor
Department: Youth Connected Program

Program Summary: Youth Connected Program includes foster family agency, school dormitory, and Mental Health services in coordination with government agencies and collaborative partners.

Position Summary: Provides multicultural, multi-ethnic, trauma-informed Resource Family Approval (RFA) to youth and resource parents, in compliance with applicable laws, regulations and standards of practice. Counsels individuals, groups and/or family regarding psychological, behavioral, and/or emotional problems, develops and implements Needs and Services Plan in various settings in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and standards of practice. Conducts assessments and/or screens relevant to the population being served and program. Work is performed under the direction and supervision of a Supervising Social Worker.

Major Areas of Responsibility:

• Provides in-home intervention to children and their families utilizing a skill based, solution focused model to help families adopt positive solutions to problems through the teaching of skills and behavioral techniques accessing community resources and support.
• Identifies areas to address in the needs and service plan (NSP) if applicable.
• Ability to evaluate, analyze and assess risk and safety in all cases, as defined by law and best practice, and implement appropriate procedures using the agency preferred risk and safety assessment tools.
• Provides training and support in the development and utilization of functional skills to families with problems and individuals associated with the families.
• Assesses problems and provides care to youth and families; monitors individual and family progress in the attainment of predetermined goals providing regular review and update of service plans.
• Maintains appropriate level of direct contact with families per program requirements, and is available to families 24/7, for crisis intervention as needed.
• Develops and maintains effective working/professional relationships with families and with community service resources, including medical professionals, public welfare personnel, lawyers, therapists, law enforcement staff, school officials, neighbors, and religious and youth organization representatives utilizing referral sources as necessary.
• Participates in interdisciplinary treatment planning/CFTs.
• Prepares and submits timely and accurate case management, service and treatment planning reports, notes, comprehensive assessments, and other required documentation, as defined by the program.
• Reports accurately critical or unusual incidents involving families, youth, staff, or the program, according to standard reporting guidelines.
• Provides support to staff in dorm setting, with coverage and activities as needed.
• Provides support to staff in dorm setting to help youth obtain independent living skills and assessing and implementing goals.
• Provides transportation for youth to and from appointments (e.g., medical, dental, therapeutic, etc.) as needed.
• Acts as a liaison for consumers, outside agencies, and internal personnel including, but not limited to the following:
  • Ensures client-centered, trauma-informed service planning, including effective advocacy and collaboration with coworkers and members of the Child and Family Team.
  • Communicates with supervisor on youth strategies, behaviors, and progress.
  • Prepare timely and accurate documentation.
• Serves as a role model in carrying out the Orangewood Foundation mission including, but not limited to the following:
  • Creates atmosphere of enthusiasm and commitment.
  • Directs all actions to reflect the values: respect, empathy, inclusion, advocacy.
  • Executes Orangewood Foundation policies and procedures.
  • Communicates directly with internal and/or external customers to assure proper resolution of concerns and satisfaction of inquiries, and speaking positively of Orangewood Foundation decisions, processes, and programs to other staff and outside consumers.
  • Establishes and maintains an environment that encourages teamwork, interdependence, and ethical behavior and does not participate in gossip.

Knowledge, Skill and Experience Requirements:

• Masters Degree in field related to social services.
• Experience working with foster youth and a Foster Family Agency (FFA) and/or residential setting preferred.
• Willingness to work flexible hours in order to assist the program with youth and activities - some visits will take place on weekends and/or after hours.
• Ability to fluently read, write, and speak English, bilingual Spanish strongly preferred.
• Must be able to successfully complete and maintain required certifications and training including, but not limited to, Therapeutic Crisis Intervention, Prudent Parenting, First Aid/CPR, and other evidence-informed practices.
• Must be computer-literate and be able to understand and effectively use electronic health record/database systems.
• Comfortable presenting oneself in community settings.
• Must be a minimum of twenty-one years old.
• Possess a valid California drivers license and proof of automobile insurance. Position requires DMV clearance.
• Must be able to pass a criminal background check, FBI/DOJ fingerprinting, TB test, and drug screen.
• Candidates are required to pass a medical examination in order to determine one's fitness and ability to care for youth.

Working Environment: Provides family-style services in a campus setting, as well as services in the community to resource and/or biological families. Staff is subject to outside environmental conditions occasionally, inside conditions frequently, with protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes. Working in the variety of community settings, including some that are unpredictable. Foster children of all ages, but primarily youth 7th-12th grade, with medical, behavioral, mental health issues, and the potential for verbal and physical threats. Transports or facilitate transportation for clients to appointments and activities, as required. The work includes constant interruptions in an environment of moderate to high noise level.

Physical Requirements: Staff must maintain proficiency in Nonviolence Crisis Intervention, as well as First Aid/CPR, requiring regular and sustained bending, lifting, pulling, stooping, hand and arm pressure, sitting and/or laying prone on the floor for extended periods. To facilitate youth activities and transports, staff must be able to safely drive vehicles transporting one or more youth to events, family visits, etc., in heavy, prolonged traffic (more than one hour each way).

• Frequent carrying, up to 20 pounds.
• Frequent bending, stooping, twisting, turning, and squatting.
• Frequent pushing/pulling up to 50 pounds and 25 feet.
• Frequent climbing of stairs (in a three-story dormitory)
• Regularly lifting floor to waist and floor above shoulders.
• Regularly sitting, 1 to 10 hours per day.
• Regularly standing, 1 to 10 hours per day.
• Regular use of fine motor skills for such activities as writing, note-taking, typing, and craft-making.
• Normal or corrected vision needed for driving, supervision of youth, observation of discrete skills, and documentation.
• Normal or corrected hearing to insure proper supervision and campus safety.
• Normal sense of smell to detect client hygiene issues, infant hygiene needs, and environmental safety issues.
• Normal ability to speak to teach skills, give feedback, discuss strategies, and converse on telephone.
• Stamina to work 12-hour shifts and drive for up to four hours.

Modification to work schedule may be made based on need of the Foundation.

Orangewood Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex. gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, military and veteran status, or any other protected group, in accordance with all applicable federal or State laws.

Updated 01/06/23