Easter Seals Jobs

We have opportunities available in the Lincoln, Norfolk, Grand Island, and North Platte area.

Job Summary:Provides short term and ongoing support, referral to community resources, goal assessment and planning, and advocacy to individuals caring for relative and kin children. Partners with caregivers to assess strengths and needs and to identify related resources. Visits caregivers in their homes according to program guidelines. Provides opportunities for learning and peer support by facilitating education and support groups. Provides all services with a goal of ensuring Kinship Caregivers have all needed resources to successfully care for their relatives and kin.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Supports relative and non-relatives caring for children when a child's parents are unable to care for them, with the goal of children remaining outside of the formal child welfare system.
2. Serves as an initial contact with kinship caregivers to gather information regarding their immediate needs and caregiving goals.
3. Completes an initial assessment of urgent and ongoing short term and long-term needs and provides immediate referrals and resources to address immediate needs.
4. Gathers information using assessments outlined in the program model and/or NCHS guidelines to assist kinship caregivers, who receive navigation services, in developing a goal action plan to meet their identified needs through the use of program models.
5. Assists in completing NDHHS/ACCESS Nebraska applications with families to seek assistance benefits as applicable.
6. Assists in development, coordinating and facilitating education and support groups for caregivers.
7. Responsible for quality completion of documentation and tracking of services according to NCHS and program guidelines.
8. Coordinates with other departments within the NCHS as required.
9. Educates families and community partners on kinship navigation services.
10. Responsible for quality documentation and tracking of families served.
11. Maintains contact with all families on active caseload by means of home visits, office visits, phone contact or correspondence according to NCHS and program guidelines.
12. Maintains a caseload according to NCHS and program guidelines.
13. Coordinates and communicates status and services with other program team members and professional partners.
14. Meets with Kinship Supervisor according to NCHS and program guidelines for supervision to review work with families, training, professional development, and program development.
15. Participates in Continuous Quality Improvement Efforts.

Supplemental Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Commitment to NCHS mission, vision, values and strategic goals;
2. Commitment to NCHS CQI initiatives;
3. Maintaining a positive and cooperative relationship with all internal and external professionals;
4. Participation in agency committees.
5. Ongoing compliance with program fidelity and funding requirements;
6. Positive representation of NCHS in all community settings;
7. Adherence to confidentiality policies;
8. Demonstration of respect, appreciation, and sensitivity for diversity;
9. Facilitate a team atmosphere by working in partnership with agency team members and collaborating partners;
10. Engage in community activities designed to raise awareness of the need for permanent kinship navigation services;
11. Other duties as assigned by the Kinship Supervisor.

Qualifications and Requirements:

1. Minimum education and experience:
   1. Bachelors degree in social work, Human Services or related filed required;
   2. Minimum of two (2) years experience working with children and families OR personal experience as a kinship caregiver.
   3. Bilingual in English/Spanish preferred but not required.
2. Knowledge, skills, and abilities:
   1. Ability to connect with and engage families and other professionals;
   2. Knowledge and experience with navigating complex family systems;
   3. Ability to manage multiple demands.
   4. Ability to problem solve complex issues;
   5. Knowledge of the resources available in Nebraska;
   6. Capacity to interpret and abide by NCHS policies and procedures;
   7. Possess high quality written and verbal skills;
   8. Knowledge of computer operations;
   9. Ability to work independently and self manage;
   10. Possession of a vehicle with required licensing and insurance coverage for travel to family homes and meetings;
   11. Self-awareness and understanding of professional boundaries;
3. Physical demands:
   1. Regularly required to speak and hear, walk, climb, sit, use hands and fingers to operate, handle or feel objects and equipment;
   2. Ability to lift at least 20 pounds;
   3. Ability to enter family homes with different types of entrances and structures.
4. Schedule demands:
   1. Ability to adjust normal work schedule to accommodate the needs of families, including evening and weekend work.
5. Site factors:
   1. Work is completed in an office setting, in family homes, and remotely;
   2. Local travel is required.

Note: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described above are representative of those that will be encountered by a person performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Salary:$20.60/hr - $24.06/hrdepending on education and experience

Benefits and Perks of Working at NCHS:

• We observe 9 paid holidays each calendar year
• NCHS offers generous and flexible vacation
• As advocates for mental health, we offer 5 wellbeing days each year
• We understand the importance of family. We are flexible and offer additional paid time for sick, bereavement, or new child leave for you and your family.
• Fair and equal pay is important to us.
• NCHS contributes 5% of your salary after one year of employment towards your 401k; full vestment after 5 years.
• Referral bonuses for employees who refer qualified candidates.
• Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance
• We offer 5 free counseling sessions each year through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Career development
• Telecommuting - as long as you can commute to a regional office if necessary, you can work from anywhere! Most jobs can be completed somewhat or entirely remotely. You choose your environment!

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should visit https://www.nchs.org/careers, locate this position, and click on "Apply Now" beneath the job description to complete the online application form. The application must be completed in full and submitted for consideration.