My Friend's Place Opportunity

Application Closing Date: When filled                             Position Start Date:  May 11, 2015 (or until filled)

Job Hours:  40 hours weekly M-F                                      Benefits: Paid holidays, paid vacation and sick leave,

                                                                                    group medical, dental, retirement, life insurance and                                                                                                      ASW supervision. 

Compensation:  Entry Level MSW

Organizational Background:  My Friend’s Place is a nonprofit organization working to assist and inspire homeless youth to build self-sufficient lives.  Over the past twenty seven years, My Friend's Place has grown to become one of the most visited drop-in crisis resource centers for homeless and runaway youth ages 12-24 and their children in Southern California and provides emergency, health, mental health, creative arts, and education & employment services to more than 1,600 homeless youth annually. 

Job Description:  Working from a trauma informed, strengths based, and harm reduction approach, the Clinical Social Worker will address urgent basic need and psychosocial issues facing homeless and runaway youth.  Under the direct supervision of the Health and Well-Being Manager, the Clinical Social Worker’s primary responsibilities include short and long-term case management with diverse youth, milieu mental health support, wellness group facilitation, and extensive crisis intervention. The Clinical Social Worker will have extensive daily milieu interactions with all youth and will assist multidisciplinary program staff in meeting all Safe Haven needs.

Duties include but are not limited to the following:

Assessments and Referrals:

• Conduct biopsychosocial assessments in order to identify the presenting issues of the youth including: substance abuse, individual and family dynamics, medical and mental health issues, educational issues, legal issues, and other needs
• Determine what services are immediately needed to resolve presenting situation

• Provide appropriate referrals arising from the assessment process and advocacy as needed to meet needs
• Provide referrals requested from community members and other service providers
• Explore possible referral resources as needed
• Maintain communication with referral agency so as to monitor progress, provide, and obtain necessary information

Case Planning and Crisis Intervention:

• Establish short- term and long-term intervention/life planning goals with each youth
• Establish agreements (contracts) with the youth clearly outlining behavioral expectations when necessary for success
• Provide intensive  case coordination of services to each case managed youth

• Provide case plan based incentives and financial support as needed and appropriate
• Provide crisis intervention, including suicide, homicide, and child abuse assessments using tenants of Psychological First Aide

Group Facilitation:

• Plan, recruit, and facilitate wellness groups (parenting/bonding skills, stress management, housing readiness, mindfulness training, Seeking Safety, etc.)
• Maintain records on group content, activity and participation

Safe Haven Function Assistance:

• In partnership with all program staff, provide hospitality  and ensure consistent supervision of youth in the Safe Haven
• Ensure a safe, clean, and productive Safe Haven environment

Meeting Participation:

• Participate in weekly individual supervision with Director of Programs
• Participate in weekly cross-domain staff meetings and domain team meetings and agency-wide trainings
• Participate in applicable community meetings

Qualifications:  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill,  and ability desired. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

1.      Education and Experience:  Master’s in Social Work required with a minimum of one year of professional experience working with homeless or high-risk youth. 

2. Computer/Office Equipment Skills:  Proficient in PC computer environment (MS Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint). 

3. Language Skills: Fluency in spoken and written English is required; bilingual fluency in English/Spanish strongly preferred.

4. Other skills/requirements:

• Keen assessment and crisis intervention skills are critical
• Solid understanding of adolescent development and the impact of trauma on high-risk behavior
• Excellent interpersonal and collaborative skills and ability to work with people of diverse social and cultural backgrounds
• Strong written and oral communication skills and attention to internal and external documentation standards including thorough, accurate, and timely
• Participation in agency fundraising events and efforts to educate about youth homelessness

To apply send your cover letter and resume to:

Erin Casey, LCSW, Director of Programs My Friend’s Place PO Box 3867 Los Angeles, CA  90078 ecasey@myfriendsplace.org

PDF submissions via e-mail are encouraged.  We are unable to accept phone inquiries regarding this position.

My Friend’s Place is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity.

Please visit www.myfriendsplace.org for more information.