Description

Wayfinder Family Services ensures that children, youth, and adults facing challenges always have a place to turn.

Wayfinder is committed to advancing IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility).

Wayfinder believes inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility are essential to our excellence and our mission's execution. We value differences in the pursuit of inquiry and knowledge, mutual understanding, respect, trust, transparency, and cooperation. We are committed to creating a diverse and welcoming workplace that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve and includes individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Individuals of color, women, LGBTQIA+, veterans and differently-abled persons are encouraged to apply.

In exchange for your talent, Wayfinder offers an excellent benefits package, which includes the following:

• This role is eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Competitive salary - Sign-on bonus for eligible roles
• Flexible schedules depending on the position (some offering hybrid)
• Medical insurance with a $30 premium per paycheck coverage plan (employee-only)
• Dental insurance 100% employer paid for HMO coverage plan (employee-only)
• 401(k) retirement plan with an employer match up to 4%
• 11 paid holidays per year and a generous paid time off policy
• Five paid winter holidays (between Christmas Eve & New Year's Day)
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Robust training opportunities: Shared Core Practice Model, Trauma-Informed Care, Evidence-based Practices
• Clinical Supervision for licensure

Compensation:

• In accordance with California law, the expected salary range for this position is posted with this position. The actual compensation will be determined based on experience and other factors permitted by law.

About the Program:

Wayfinder Family Services’, The Haven, provides basic and therapeutic foster care and residential services for unaccompanied immigrant children with a variety of racial, ethnic, gender, geographic and language backgrounds. The Haven offers individualized, child-centered, trauma-informed services sensitive to the age, culture, religion, dietary needs, native language, sexual orientation, and gender identity of each child. Services to support individualized needs include Acculturation and Adaption, Case Management, Educational Services (including vocational), and Mental Health Services. In addition, Wayfinder will provide family finding to locate extended family or non-relative extended family who are viable, suitable sponsors to ultimately develop a transition and release children as rapidly as possible. Program services will protect children from abuse and neglect, enable unaccompanied children to achieve stability in their living situations, improve or maintain a high level of youth functioning, provide bed availability for children when needed, and achieve high levels of satisfaction from program participation.

Role Summary:

The social worker plays a pivotal role within our team, demonstrating unwavering commitment to recruiting, licensing, thoroughly vetting, and providing dedicated support to foster homes and the group home component. This multifaceted position encompasses crucial administrative duties, including chart reviews, meticulous case management, and ensuring strict adherence to all relevant requirements.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Collaborates to integrate the values of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) into all aspects of the organization.
• Promotes the Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) process by identifying quality indicators and opportunities for departmental and organizational process improvement.
• Reports any incidents/accidents according to incident reporting procedures and protocols, within designated timelines as outlined in the reporting procedures. Ensures staff is knowledgeable of and adhere to the reporting procedures and protocols.
• Actively recruits foster families to expand our network.
• Develops and implements training programs to enhance the skills of foster parents.
• Cultivates relationships with local schools, businesses, non-profits, and community-based organizations to create a support network for transitioning youth.
• Advocates for sustainability in Wayfinder placements within the community.
• Conduct thorough chart reviews when children are referred to our program to ensure they meet the criteria for placement.
• Assigns children to appropriate case managers based on individual needs.
• Oversees compliance with monthly requirements outlined by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR).
• Provides essential information to the lead clinician for effective decision-making.
• Performs other duties as may become necessary or as directed.

Qualifications

Education:

• At a minimum, a master’s degree in social work or a related field from an accredited university is required.
• Relevant experience in foster care, case management, and recruitment is required.
• Valid CA Driver License with a minimum of two (2) years good driving history and must be approved by the agency’s insurance carrier to drive agency vehicles. Or ability to facilitate travel for and with clients to and from potential job sites and lesson destinations used for training, using available transportation resources which may include public transportation, rideshare, etc.

Experience:

• Knowledge of ORR regulations and requirements is preferred.
• Bilingual English/Spanish required; effective oral and written communication skills (including public speaking).
• Experience with children and youth with special challenges is preferred.
• Strong organizational and administrative skills.

Employee Wellness & Safety

Wayfinder is committed to creating an environment where employees and clients are safe. To meet this goal, we ask that employees be fully vaccinated (including boosters) against the COVID-19 virus as a condition of employment. All staff must demonstrate evidence of complete vaccination, including booster, on or before their employment start date. Wayfinder will consider requests for exemption based on religious beliefs or medical accommodations. Wayfinder requires a thorough background screening process, including fingerprinting and a health screening.

Trauma-Informed Care

Wayfinder practices Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) principles which recognize the signs, symptoms, and widespread impact of trauma. Employees integrate the knowledge of Trauma-Informed Care into policies, procedures, and practices to prevent re-traumatization which promotes the healing of families, youth, individuals, and communities.

Wayfinder is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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