Family Team Conference (FTC) Facilitator

Ozone Park, NY • Full Time / Hybrid • Family Support department • Reports to Program Director of Family Support Services

About the Organization

MercyFirst is a not-for-profit human and social service agency that has been serving children and families in need since 1894. Today, the agency addresses the emotional and physical needs of children and families in Brooklyn, Queens, and across Long Island through innovative treatments and life-changing interventions. MercyFirst provides community-based prevention and family foster care services, group homes for struggling children and families within the child welfare and juvenile justice systems, and short-term residential services for unaccompanied migrant children. Each year, MercyFirst helps more than 3,000 children, teenagers, and families overcome obstacles, re-imagine their futures, and develop their full potential.

About the Program

Family Support Programs provide family-focused assistance using the Solution Based Casework model, which emphasizes goals to stabilize and support families. The program promotes skill acquisition and behavior change to improve child well-being outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate community-based, home-based, and virtual Family Team Conference (FTC) sessions with youth and families referred to the Strengthening Families (SWF) program in accordance with all applicable ACS, OCFS, and Family Court standards, instructions, and procedures.
• Facilitate the active participation of family members at FTCs to build consensus and make joint decisions around the development of Service Plans that address individual and family system needs, restore safety, and promote stability and well-being.
• Maintain fidelity to the FTC model. Establish an atmosphere conducive to facilitating an FTC that is strength-based, solution-focused, and engages all stakeholders in a participatory process to assist in reaching consensus.
• Raise objective questions to initiate “straight talk” among stakeholders and guide the problem-solving process.
• Utilize critical thinking to develop plans that will work for the family and team.
• Complete timely and accurate Progress Notes and FTC Summary forms.
• Maintain case documentation and data entry into systems of record: CONNECTIONS, PROMIS, and ASARA.
• Participate in weekly supervision, program meetings, trainings, and workshops to enhance professional development and advance program initiatives.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Social Work, or Bachelor’s in social services (e.g., social work, psychology, sociology, etc.) with 2 years of casework and 1 year of group work experience and/or 1 year of supervisory experience.
• Knowledge of child welfare and understanding of systemic approaches for engaging families in team conferences and regulatory procedures for child welfare facilitation preferred.
• Effective negotiation skills and the ability to develop effective working relationships with programs and clients.
• Flexibility, strong engagement and assessment skills, including strong oral, writing, and organizational skills.
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders and developing collaborative relationships.
• Detail-oriented with the ability to keep accurate, well-organized records; able to work independently but know when to seek assistance.
• Travel may be required to facilitate conferences at MercyFirst program sites for Foster Care, Residential, and Prenatal/Postpartum/Parenting (PPP) programs.
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and the ability to learn city, state, and federal data systems, including NYS’ CONNECTIONS case management system, as well as MercyFirst’s internal case management systems.

Benefits

• A comprehensive health insurance package including medical, dental, and vision plans for you and your family (full-time required).
• 403B retirement benefits.
• Employer-paid life insurance and long-term disability insurance.
• Generous paid time off (vacation, personal, 12 paid holidays for full-time, sick leave based on hours worked).
• Free employee assistance program through National EAP.
• Insurance discounts for staff and their families.
• Trainings to support professional and personal development.
• Employee wellness program.
• Employee recognition activities.

Pay

$56,000 - $61,500 per year • $1,000 hiring incentive after 500 worked hours.