New Alternatives for Children, Inc. (NAC) is an award-winning not-for-profit agency in Midtown Manhattan, with a satellite Bronx office, dedicated to serving children and families with medical complexities, chronic illnesses, and disabilities throughout the five boroughs. To assist in achieving this mission, NAC is currently seeking a Behavior Specialist to join its Treatment Family Foster Care.
• Job Title: Behavior Specialist
• Reports to: Supervisor of Treatment Family Foster CareResponsibilities and Duties
•Works directly with the child and foster parent to develop/ strengthen his/her social, emotional and academic skills to promote special talents, interests, and recreational pursuits with the child; collaborates with the case planning team in assisting child/you to adjust to foster care placement.
•Develops/implements a behavioral plan and /or contract with input from school staff, child, foster parent(s) and birth family to optimize the child’s functioning and mental health in the family and community.
•Identifies community resources for the child as needed.
•Advocates for the child within his/her school. This includes providing technical assistance to the classroom teacher and paraprofessional (if applicable) using the ABC model. This also includes coordination with NAC’s Education, Health Homes, and Mental Health Departments.
•Maintains accurate and timely record keeping.
•Facilitates and supervises visits between the child and birth family and assists with all case work activities as needed.
•Maintains weekly face to face contact and/or virtual contact as needed with the foster parent and child in the foster home or community. Two contacts per month must be in the foster home.
•Maintains weekly phone contact or more with the foster parent and child/youth as needed.
•Participates in all family-team conferences regarding their case load.
Qualifications and Skills
•A Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, special education, or related human service field is required.
•Direct experience working with children/youth is required.
•Experience working with children with emotional challenges, intellectual disabilities and medical complexities is preferred.
•Effective behavior analysis, conflict resolution, and crisis intervention skills are valuable.
•Knowledge of health-related factors in working with physically disabled and/or chronically ill children who have psychiatric diagnoses is valuable.
•Ability to work independently and part of a team.
•Excellent interpersonal communication and organizational skills are essential.
•Proficiency in Spanish is desirable.
For information on New Alternatives for Children, Inc., including more information on employee benefits and our agency culture, visit our website at www.nackidscan.org
“New Alternatives for Children was founded on the principle of inclusion. We strive to create and maintain a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace at all levels. It is not enough to serve; we must strive to dismantle oppressive policies and practices.”