Job Description
Cayuga Centers is hiring immediately for: Behavioral Support Specialists - EFFC
Earn $26.00/hourly ($28.00/hour bilingual increase)
Location: Bronx, NY
Join our team and make a difference in the lives of children, youth, and families in our community!
About Cayuga Centers
Cayuga Centers is an accredited non-profit, human services agency dedicated to family support and preservation, trauma-informed care, and serving vulnerable populations with the most unique needs. Founded in 1852 in Auburn, NY, we have a long history of delivering high-quality and innovative services to individuals, children, youth and families. We have offices in 10 cities and serve over 10,000 individuals and families annually. Join us!
At Cayuga Centers, we embrace Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB). We do this by taking a firm stance against hatred, inequality, bias, and injustice. We do this by providing our staff with the training, coaching, and resources necessary to grow and serve with cultural humility, acceptance, and understanding. We are responsive to the diverse needs of those we serve and staff, and are committed to ensuring that everyone feels respected, valued, and a sense of belonging.
Cayuga Centers is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee, prospective employee, or applicant based on race, color, creed, hair style/texture, religion, national origin, citizenship status, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by applicable federal, state, and/or local laws.
All Cayuga Centers employees are required to be vaccinated for COVID-19. New employees must provide proof of vaccination by their first day of employment.
About The Program And Position
The Enhanced Family Foster Care (EFFC) Program supports foster youth in the custody of the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) in New York City. Our EFFC program serves 137 youth ages 0-21+. It supports them with a multidisciplinary team that includes a Case Planner, NYC Comprehensive Health Services Team, Psychiatrist, Behavioral Support Specialist, Family Advocate, Case Aide, Family Team Conferencing Coordinator, Education Workforce Specialist, Employment/Internship and Housing Specialist, Fair Futures Coach, Foster Home Recruiter and Licensor and Clinician. Our therapeutic approach to foster care includes direct access to Clinicians and foster parents trained at a treatment foster care level implementing the ARC Framework. This makes a difference because our team approach provides a space for healing while providing skill-building and future-focused planning for youth in our care.
Cayuga Centers is looking to hire passionate and dedicated Behavioral Support Specialists for the NYC EFFC program. The Behavioral Support Specialist will deliver home-based support and services including behavior management, therapeutic and developmental support for youth’s treatment goals and needs in addition to timely crisis intervention, as needed. Core responsibilities will include: maintaining close communication and coordination with other members of the treatment team, including Case Planners, Clinicians, Medical, and Mental Health; respecting family and youth commitments by maintaining a flexible schedule; intervening decisively when necessary, to protect family members; and setting appropriate boundaries and limits for best practice.
How You Get To Use Your Skills…
- Develop an individualized behavioral plan for up to eight youth assigned that addresses behavioral strengths and challenges
- Conduct face-to-face visits at the home, in school, and in the community environment in coordination with the behavioral plan
- Oversee the delivery of one-to-one behavioral intervention methods designed to strengthen the youth’s and family’s (foster & discharge resource) ability to function successfully in home, school and community settings
- Work with the foster parent, parent, Case Planner and other treatment team members to support the child’s behavior plan goals.
- Conduct monthly Home Safety Assessments in the foster or discharge resource home
- Conduct clothing inventories every 6 months to ensure any follow up on appropriate clothing needs
- Assist with the transportation of medical, dental, and vision appointments
- Assist with escorting and monitoring children/youth who are in a psychiatric hospital
- Engages the child in creative/recreational and socialization activities in the community. Promote daily living skills to succeed at home, in school, and in the community environment, in accordance with the youth's behavioral plan.
- Maintain regular contact with school personnel; gathers all school information and shares with the treatment team and family as appropriate.
- Coordinate and document the implementation of wellness services, Youth Preparing for Adulthood (PYA) checklists in the program's Electronic Health system and Connections.
- Work collaboratively and communicate clearly and respectfully with colleagues, families, and other service providers.
- Maintain weekly in-person requirements and complete progress notes in a timely manner.
- Attend and play an active role in Family Team Conferences (FTC’s), Interdisciplinary Treatment Team (ITT) meetings and Parent to Parent Meetings to review current treatment plans and goals.
- Report critical incident reports in a timely manner to address any presenting concerns
- Participate in weekly supervision with the Supervisor, as well as staff and team meetings.
- Perform other related duties as requested
Schedule: Non-Exempt
- Regular hours entail a flexible schedule with 40 hours per week.
- Evenings, weekends and on-call required.
Experience And Skills
- Bachelor’s degree required
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred
- NYC ACS or private agency child welfare experience required
- Familiarity with OCFS, OPwDD, OMH, and other relevant municipal and state agencies
- Proficient in Microsoft Office and Google Workspace
- Ability and willingness to engage and work with families in an "in-home" context
- Flexibility to work when the families are available to meet
- Ability to work well with people from many cultures including recent immigrants, non-English speakers, and LGBTQIA + children
- Willingness to travel within the 5 boroughs of New York City and tri-state area
- Valid NYS Driver’s License required
Physical Requirements
- Computer work requires sitting at a desk for long periods of time
- Time on your feet for up to several hours a day
- Lifting up to 50 pounds
- Time driving and/or taking public transportation to conduct client and family visits
- Able to have contact with consumer’s - non-contagious illness
Benefits
- 80 hours of Vacation Time, 12 sick days per year
- 10 Holidays, 3 Personal Days, Medical Appointment Time
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Pet and Legal Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
- FSA, Transit, and Parking savings accounts
- Supplemental life insurance, critical illness, enhanced short-term disability benefits
- 401(k) match up to 6%
- Corporate Discounts Program
- Sick Leave Pool
- Identity Protection
Why Cayuga Centers?
- Certified Great Place to Work ®
- Workplace Wellness Award Finalist
- Council on Accreditation (COA) Accredited
- Implement best practices and evidence-based interventions
- Committed to employee professional development and advancement
- We embrace change, innovation, and opportunities
- Our diverse workforce acts and leads with human sensitivity and respect
- Large and growing national footprint
We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment drug testing.