Truancy Case Manager

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT: SEAMAAC welcomes applications for the position of Truancy Case Manager. SEAMAAC is a nonprofit organization in Philadelphia, with the mission “To support and serve immigrants and refugees and other politically, socially and economically marginalized communities as they seek to advance the condition of their lives in the United States.” SEAMAAC envisions a strong and unified society, where immigrants and refugees work alongside other Americans to build shared political, economic and social power.

POSITION SUMMARY: SEAMAAC’s Truancy Case Management (TCM) program works in partnership with Philadelphia’s Department of Human Services(DHS) and the School District of Philadelphia (SDP) to improve school attendance and academic achievement through three tiers of services. Services focus on early interventions, case management and case transitions to Family Court with at-risk children, youth and their families. Our TCM Program serves communities of all races and ethnicities and of varying economic backgrounds, within the city of Philadelphia, PA. The Truancy Case Manager (CM) will provide case management support and services through school office hours, SAIP conferences, comprehensive assessments, family goal planning, home and school visits, representation at court hearings, removal of attendance barriers, and linkages to community resources. The CM will work with the TCM team to assist with networking, referrals, translation and interpretation. The CM will document progress in case notes, databases, and case files. The CM will be cross- trained in all program tiers including participation in any new DHS and SEAMAAC TCM program initiatives. CMs work in a fast-pace and high-pressure environment, handling multiple and simultaneous priorities, balancing the needs of families, requirements from funders and adherence to tight schedules and strict deadlines. The program goals are to resolve truancy issues and facilitate families’ ability to develop positive relationships that promote well-being and permanency of children in the home and school environment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Support children and families in a manner that fosters independence, growth and development and will facilitate the child and families in achieving their stated goals.
• Carry a caseload of 25–35 families. Manage incoming referrals in addition to existing caseload. Make multiple attempts to ensure that a minimum of 1 successful visit at the home is completed monthly or additional visits as necessary to meet DHS and program deadline requirements. Must be willing to work a flexible schedule including evenings and weekends to accommodate families’ availability.
• Use effective time management, multi-tasking, prioritizing and problem solving skills.
• Travel around local Philadelphia neighborhoods extensively.
• Prepare comprehensive reports and attend court appearances to represent clients at Regional Truancy Court and Family Court.

• Participate in any new DHS and SEAMAAC TCM program initiatives to implement requirements.
• Accurately assess the strengths, supports, and needs of the children, families and communities served.
• Maintain consistent communication through school office hours, school visits and home visits with families. Ensure that schools are in compliance with services to students. Provide ongoing support to students as needed.
• Provide direct support and referrals for additional services to achieve goals.
• Ensure that referrals are completed promptly, and to follow up to verify that a linkage and services between the family and the referred resource(s) is secured, and continuous monitoring to ensure that the family is utilizing services.
• Accurately document all direct and indirect client activities in case files and multiple databases.
• Participate in quality assurance activities.
• Attend regular supervision, department meetings, and trainings.

ADDITIONAL DUTIESAND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Actively participate in organizational-wide efforts and a minimum of 5 events per calendar year.
• Cross training in all program tiers to occasionally support teamwork and efforts to meet requirements.
• Other assignments, including translation/interpretation, as required.

COMPETENCIES:

• Understanding of, and commitment to, SEAMAAC’s principles, concerns, and considerations in regard to issues of race, class, nationality, religion, age, gender and sexual orientation, and disabilities.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills as well as advanced computer skills.
• Ability to work and communicate with people from all backgrounds in a team environment.
• High ethical standards, integrity, and adherence to confidentiality.
• Ability to handle a heavy workload and be detail-oriented.
• A passion and desire to serve the community.
• Knowledgeable about issues facing public education and low-income children and youth of color.
• Knowledgeable about issues facing immigrant/refugee communities in particular and other economically, politically and socially marginalized communities in general.
• Fluency in more than one language is desirable.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee regularly is required to stand, walk, sit, use hand to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently lifts and/or moves up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

NECESSARYSPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must undergo criminal, child abuse and health background checks, as required by the program funder. A job offer with SEAMAAC will require adherence to any relevant city protocols related to public health.

COMMENTS: This description is intended to describe the essential job functions. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and requirements. SEAMAAC reserves the right to add/change duties and responsibilities as required by our contractual obligations to Philadelphia DHS/OCF. Other functions may be assigned and management retains the right to add or change the duties at any time.