$28.57 – $30.22 / hour

Position Title:                    Medicaid-Intensive Permanency Services (M-IPS) Specialist

Position Summary

This Intensive Permanency Services Specialist will work to introduce the concept of family search and engagement to the foster youth of Children’s Aid and will work with the youth’s services teams to prepare the youth for re-establishing connections with family members or individuals who have been natural support to them in the past.  The IPS Specialist will conduct a concentrated search for family members and adult natural support for assigned youth and develop specific plans for pursuit of re-establishing connections that will address youth safety.  IPS Specialists will develop individualized plans for legal and emotional permanency and will generate plans to support and sustain relationships.  The incumbent will understand and promote the organization’s Mission, Vision, and Core Values to ensure alignment with the functions of the position.

Children’s Aid Mission

To help children in poverty to succeed and thrive. We do this by providing comprehensive support to children and their families in targeted high-needs New York City neighborhoods. Children’s Aid annually serves children and their families at over 40 sites in New York, as well as through three national program models.  Children’s Aid is concentrating its efforts on creating cradle-through-college pathways in high-need neighborhoods, with a focus on children’s health, family stability, education, and social and emotional development.

Culture and Values

We put children, youth, and families first: We listen to and incorporate the voices of children, youth and families in all that we do.

We seek equity and transformation in our communities: We courageously work within and outside systems to create opportunities for children, youth and families.

We strive for excellence: We hold ourselves to the highest standards and are committed to continuous learning and improvement.

We are powered by collaboration: Our work is stronger when we trust, partner, and respect each other and the communities we serve.

We are driven by compassion: We lead with kindness, care, and empathy and believe in the endless potential of the people we serve and our team.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Job responsibilities for the IPS Specialist will include:

• Fully implement the Intensive Permanency Services Program at Children’s Aid.
• Meet face to face with active children on caseload using the IPS model with youth, families and adult resources.
• Complete an intensive and comprehensive exploration of a child’s connections to family and adults seeking natural support for healing and for a safe and stable resource for permanency.
• Work with youth to address trauma and loss and reduce pain-based behaviors so that they are able to engage in relationships that meet their needs.
• Commit to two years’ practice with the program to allow adequate time for the youth to succeed through the four stages of the model.
• Meet with IPS Supervisor and with our Alia Consultants to learn and engage in IPS practices.
• Complete Training through Alia Innovations in the IPS model with Summit, Micro-Learnings and other program and agency trainings and meetings as they are scheduled in agency, inter-agency and program settings.
• Perform other tasks as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• BA/BSW minimum with a commitment to connect with youth, promote relationships and healing.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) a plus.
• Able to commit to 2-year programming to achieve model fidelity.
• Commitment to Family Finding Practice and to Healing Focused work with youth in foster care.

Key Competencies

• Excellent writing, communication and organizational skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Flexibility and ability to work under pressure and meet targets.
• Computer and Internet literate.

It is the policy of Children’s Aid to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and is dedicated to maintaining a work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. Children’s Aid will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or retaliation on any basis, including race, creed, color, national origin, ethnicity, alienage or citizenship status, gender/sex (including pregnancy), disability, religion, source of income, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, familial status, caregiver status, military status, marital or partnership status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking, predisposing genetic characteristics, arrest or conviction record, credit history, unemployment status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Children’s Aid is committed to complying with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Children’s Aid will conduct a prompt and thorough investigation of all allegations of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or any violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy in a confidential manner and will take appropriate corrective action, if and where warranted. Children’s Aid prohibits retaliation against employees who provide information about, complain about, or assist in the investigation of any complaint of discrimination or violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy.

The incumbent is expected to work a schedule, whether in-person or hybrid, as determined by the department’s needs to facilitate effective collaboration with the team.  This flexibility is essential for maintaining seamless communication, fostering teamwork, and ensuring the smooth operation of the department’s processes.  The position’s requirements are subject to periodic review and adjustment based on organizational needs and changes in work dynamics.