Senior Social Services Coordinator (Detained)

About KIND:

Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) is a global leader in the protection of unaccompanied refugee and migrant children. Launched in 2008, KIND champions a world in which every child’s rights and well-being are protected throughout their journey to safety. Since 2008, KIND has accepted over 23,000 referrals of children seeking legal representation in their immigration proceedings. KIND has welcomed more than 41,000 attendees to trainings since its founding, cultivating partnerships with over 670 law firms, corporate legal departments, law schools, and bar associations across the country.

KIND’s social services program ensures that migrant and refugee children – who have often endured trauma – receive counseling, educational support, medical care, and other comprehensive services.

To address the root causes of child migration from Central America and strengthen the protection of unaccompanied children, KIND advocates for policy changes and educates lawmakers, the media, and the broader public on the conditions that drive these children to flee their home countries. KIND supports children returning to their home countries by connecting them to essential support services and sponsors gender-based violence prevention programs in Central America to protect children in countries of origin and transit.

KIND is also building upon its expertise in the protection of unaccompanied children to encourage the development of pro bono initiatives across Europe in partnership with European NGOs.

Position Summary:

KIND seeks a Senior Social Services Coordinator to work with KIND’s child clients and their families to identify needs and gaps in services, assist families in accessing services related to education, health, mental health, housing, mediation, and childcare and provide leadership in establishing and sustaining relationships with local and state social services partners.

Essential Functions:

• Develop and maintain a knowledge base of social services available to clients in assigned work areas.
• Develop relationships with community coalitions in areas of high client concentration.
• Lead outreach efforts to establish strategic working relationships and partnerships with local service providers and administrators in each service area to enhance the referral process.
• Conduct assessments of referred clients, including the larger context in which the child will be living, identifying needs, barriers, and safety concerns.
• Conduct psychosocial assessments of referred clients and develop a comprehensive service plan in conjunction with the child, the child’s family, and the child’s attorney, when appropriate, and maintain documentation regarding attempts to access services and service delivery.
• Communicate and collaborate with ORR facility staff to create post-18 plans for detained children approaching 18 years of age and post-release plans for detained children under 18 years of age who have obtained immigration status.
• Maintain documentation regarding attempts to access services and service delivery.
• Track and report client data, outreach actions and outcomes, and general information for program evaluation, performance quality, and development purposes.
• Complete referrals to services for clients in geo zone and/or aging out, including assist families in completing intake requirements for these services, and follow up as necessary.
• Track and report client data, outreach actions and outcomes, and general information for program evaluation, performance quality, and development purposes.
• Contribute to completion of data/metrics reports for internal and external program requirements, as assigned.
• Ability to work independently, anticipate needs, and take initiative in a high volume, fast-paced environment.
• Lead triaging and guidance to KIND legal staff in client therapeutic support and crisis management.
• Supervise MSW placement interns both in task as well as clinical supervision.
• Lead design, planning and monitoring of in-house therapeutic events, resource fairs, and preventive programming.
• Support supervisor in mentoring and onboarding of new staff inclusive of foundational training areas
• Work with other KIND Social Services Coordinators nationally to develop best practices, protocols, and provide training and support on relevant topics for KIND staff.
• Conduct training to support pro bono attorneys and community social providers.
• Working closely with other legal services providers, law firms, corporations, and law schools in relevant jurisdiction(s) to identify and support resource-sharing amongst these partner agencies.
• Supervise interns and volunteers.
• On occasion, if needed, assist KIND Legal Staff in conducting “Know Your Rights” presentations and screenings of children who have recently entered the ORR facility
• Engage in therapeutic programming and support of special projects related to service delivery to children as/if needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Graduate degree in Social Work or related field, preferably in counseling, or related specialty. MSW preferred.
• Minimum of 2-3 years of experience working with immigrant populations; experience working with unaccompanied minors preferred.
• Minimum of 2-3 years of experience working with children, preferably unaccompanied minors, immigrant and refugee children, or experience working with survivors of abuse, human trafficking, or other trauma, including tender aged children aged 0-8.
• Experience working in residential. Detained, or other similar settings. 
• Direct experience or strong familiarity with case management frameworks.
• Ability to work collaboratively, and preferably, prior experience working with attorneys, law firms, or other legal service providers.
• A strong record of intercultural responsiveness, sensitivity and awareness, and cross-cultural communication skills.
• Experience working with a diverse team of social service providers and advocating on behalf of clients.
• Ability to verbalize and implement therapeutic-focused strategies for children/families.
• Ability to effectively conduct training to diverse audiences in person and virtually, including attorney training and diverse presentations for child clients.
• Familiarity or ability to work with adult immigrant caretakers, or training in trauma-informed parenting.
• Ability to manage, create and oversee various events that aim towards bringing resources and services to child clients.
• Ability to network with local coalitions to establish strong relationships to allow for cross-referrals.
• Ability to travel as assigned.
• Ability to work within an office environment, have regular interaction via telephone, teleconference, IM, and email with KIND’s team, and have in-person meetings with clients.

Language requirement:

• English: Fluent
• Spanish: Fluent

Candidates without advanced fluency in written/spoken English and Spanish will not be considered. 

Salary Band: $61,360-$76,700 dependent on experience

KIND requires all staff be COVID vaccinated with the exception of those who have medical or religious beliefs exemptions.

Application Instructions:

Please be advised that an employment application will need to be submitted along with your resume and cover letter, in order to be considered for the desired role.

KIND has an organization-wide commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We strive to create a work environment where everyone has a sense of belonging. Individuals from historically underrepresented or underserved communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Disclaimer: KIND is committed to an ethical recruitment and hiring process and maintains a firm “no fees” recruitment policy. We will never charge a fee or ask for money as part of the application process. KIND also conducts all interviews via telephone or video conference, and at no time will KIND engage in a text or mobile app-based application or interview process. For more information, please visit the following website: https://supportkind.org/join-the-team/kind-employment-practices/.