Refugee Behavior Health Case Manager Intern

POSITION TITLE:       Refugee Behavior Health Case Manager Intern

WORKSITE:               Omaha, Nebraska

SCHEDULE:               15-20 hours/week for 2 Semesters

ORGANIZATIONAL DESCRIPTION:  Refugee Empowerment Center (REC) is a federally recognized refugee resettlement agency that is responsible for resettling refugees from around the world in the Omaha-metro area.  REC has recently merged with Immigrant Legal Center (ILC) since October 2022 and is now a program under ILC.

Our mission is to resettle refugees and provide them the support they need to thrive. REC was founded in 1997 and has resettled close to 2,500 refugees while serving many more through supplemental services and programming.  We focus on helping our clients live and work productively and achieve a better life for themselves and their children.  Our goal is to empower refugees by helping them obtain the skills necessary for economic self-sufficiency, developing support networks, and creating space for joy. Nebraska has one of the highest per capita refugee resettlement rates in the country, and with 26.3 million refugees and 45.7 internally displaced persons worldwide, Nebraska’s proud tradition of resettling refugees will be an ongoing necessity. REC is grateful to the Omaha community for uniting with us in solidarity to support our newest Nebraskans in becoming healthy and successful members of our community. 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

The Preferred Communities (PC)/Refugee Behavioral Health Program supports the resettlement of especially vulnerable refugee groups that the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) refers to as “preferred communities”. This program provides trauma-informed Intensive Case Management (ICM) and family-centered interventions to eligible refugees experiencing any of the following vulnerabilities:

• single parents/guardians
• clients with physical disabilities or medical conditions
• clients with mental health needs
• elderly and homebound clients
• youth that have spent many years in refugee camps
• survivors of domestic violence or gender-based violence
• secondary migrants new to the area
• clients who need social adjustment supports

The program provides services based on an integrated approach for refugees who have been in the United States within five years. These services include:

• long-term case management (medical, mental health, linkage benefit, housing, employment, financial management, etc.)
• mental health interventions
• social adjustment services
• connecting community resources to other service providers

This program offers excellent opportunities for refugees with exceptional needs to achieve self-sufficiency to increase the likelihood for successful long-term integration to their new community.

POSITION DESCRIPTION: 

The Refugee Behavioral Health (RBH) Case Manager Intern will report directly to the PC Program Manager for task supervision. There is an LCSW who will provide educational supervision.  The RBH Case Manager Intern assists with providing the following services to eligible refugees, (1) trauma-informed Intensive Case management, (2) documentation and reports, (3) other duties as assigned. 

This position would begin with thorough and detailed training and shadowing of the PC/RBHP case managers during client consultations and performance of other tasks and duties. This internship position will receive ongoing supervision, guidance, and mentorship from the PC Program Manager, PC caseworkers, and LCSW to foster a positive growing environment.

CORE FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION:

Trauma-Informed Intensive Case Management

• Provides case management workflows including: (1) completion of initial assessment, (2) completion of interim assessment every 90 days, (3) completion of case closure documents, and (4) documentation in the agency-client database system
• Develop self-sufficiency service plans in conjunction with the client
• Meet with clients frequently or as needed depending on their exceptional needs at the beginning of enrollment
• Meet with clients at least once every 30 days or as needed after the enrollment period, for at least 6 – 12 months or until self-sufficiency is reached
• Connect clients to community resources (i.e., food pantries, thrift stores, faith communities) to help address needs and improve their daily lives
• Maintain communication and cultural understanding with clients, between clients and partners, the agency, and the community.

Documentation

• Document accurate and detailed case management reports for client files
• Completes detailed, thorough, and timely documentation that are in compliance with ILC/REC and RBHP policies and procedures.
• Complete and update accurate case notes to our agency-client database systems in a timely manner to our agency-client database systems
• Assist with the preparations of program reports
• Provide detailed reports to supervisor as needed

Other Duties as Assigned

• Work collaboratively with the RBHP team, REC program staff, and volunteers, to ensure that clients receive the services they need to achieve their goals
• Participate in agency events, trainings, and meetings
• Contribute to a fostering teamwork environment
• Remain compliant with ILC/REC and RBHP regulations and policies
• Maintain an excellent reputation of ILC/REC with clients and community resource members

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Dedication to ILC/REC’s Core Values and Mission.
• Current enrollment in a social work program or social services field of study is required.
• Experience working with refugee/immigrant, and resettlement populations is strongly preferred.
• Experience working with populations who have a history of complex trauma is preferred.
• Proficiency in a foreign language native to refugee populations, such as Arabic, Burmese, Pasto and Dari, French, Karenin, Karan, Kinyarwanda, Spanish, Swahili, Tigrinya, Ukrainian, and other languages is highly preferred.
• Strong commitment to supporting refugees, parolees, and immigrants.
• Deep understanding of and ability to work sensitively and well with people of diverse national, ethnic, cultural, religions, gender identities, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Strong cultural competence is required.
• Commitment to ongoing learning, both as an individual and as part of a department, to value, promote and engage in DEI and anti-racism.
• Commitment to intercultural responsiveness, sensitivity, and awareness, and cross-cultural communication skills and responsive practices.
• Exceptional interpersonal communication and people skills.
• Flexibility and adaptability to work with varying client needs.
• Knowledge of local healthcare system and community resources, and ability to connect families to community resources.
• Excellent organizational, planning, and time management skills.
• Impeccable integrity, positive attitude, mission-driven, and self-directed.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Expert in using Office 365 applications (ex. Word, Outlook, Excel, SharePoint, etc.) and strong ability to learn new software and databases.
• Ability to pass all required background checks.
• Valid driver’s license and access to a personal, insured vehicle is required.

COMPENSATION:

• Pay rate of $15.00 per hour.
• This position is part-time, therefore is not eligible for all full-time employee benefits.

TO APPLY

• Please upload and send your resume, cover letter, and three professional references all in PDF format through the application link.

Salary : $15 - $0