Cultural Broker (Queens Location)

JOB TITLE: Cultural Broker

EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Full-Time

REPORTS TO: SBC Director

LOCATION: Hybrid in-office (Queens location 2-3 days per week)

SALARY: $51,500 annually

ABOUT AAFSC:

The Arab-American Family Support Center (AAFSC) is a non-profit, non-sectarian organization, established in 1994, to provide culturally and linguistically competent, trauma-informed social services. Our mission is to empower immigrants and refugees with the tools they need to acclimate successfully to the world around them and become active participants in their communities. While our doors are open to all, AAFSC has developed cultural and linguistic expertise in serving members of NYC’s Arab, Middle Eastern, North African, Muslim, and South Asian (AMENAMSA) immigrant and refugee communities. AAFSC promotes mental and physical well-being and community power. We ensure families are knowledgeable about their rights and equipped to participate in civic society with confidence and security. We help prevent child abuse, and work to end domestic- and gender-based violence. We provide the tools for learners of every age to succeed. Finally, we help lift up the voices and needs of under-represented communities and champion gender-, racial-, restorative-, and immigrant justice.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Cultural Broker provides strategic advocacy as well as information & referrals for our constituents as they and their case workers navigate complex education, health, and social services systems across New York City. By doing so, the Cultural Broker improves accessibility for clients and advocates for change in these systems. This role builds key relationships and support networks with state & government entities and community-based organizations in order to assess or voice gaps in resources. This role also provides efficient case and administrative support for their assigned Preventive Services unit, including performing administrative tasks, such as maintaining case files, updating referral information, and assisting with the upkeep of case records. A successful person in this role will bring a trauma-informed, culturally-responsive, and linguistically-appropriate lens to this position. A commitment to immigrant, refugee, and low-income communities is essential for success in this role. 

The Cultural Broker will be assigned to either a Solution Based Casework (SBC) unit or a Functional Family Therapy (FFT) unit. The Solution Based Casework (SBC) model is based on three theoretical foundations: family life cycle theory, relapse prevention/CBT theory, and solution- focused family therapy. Partnership with families in each case is critical to reducing risks and solutions should utilize prevention skills to achieve those goals. The Functional Family Therapy (FFT) model works with youth between the ages of 11 to 18 who struggle with behavioral and/or emotional problems and have been referred by the juvenile justice, mental health, school, or child welfare system. As a strength-based model, FFT focuses on acceptance and respect and uses assessments and interventions to determine risk and protective factors in relation to the family and youth’s development. 

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Information & Referral

• Provide advocacy for clients by interacting with clients and human service agencies resolving problems and providing information. 
• Field incoming phone calls to provide information and referral service activities including intake, assessment, and referral.
• Provide excellent customer service.
• Submit all relevant information to Case Planners, Program Supervisor and/or Program Director.
• Assist in maintaining an accurate and through database consisting of community resources.
• Provide written and verbal feedback to the supervisor on efforts & outcomes. 

External Relations

• Assist in maintaining key relationships with the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), the Department of Education (DOE), religious and community organizations, and other preventive providers throughout the city. 
• Suggest improvements in Preventive Services processes as they relate to client accessibility navigating government systems. 
• Coordinate with the Resource Development team to increase the accessibility and visibility of AMENAMSA clients and their needs.
• In collaboration with Resource Development team and Preventive Leadership, support with organizing client and community member meetings, workshops, and other community-building and educational forums. 
• In collaboration with the Resource Development team and Preventive Leadership, strategize, coordinate and implement targeted outreach to community residents (e.g. develop outreach materials, plan informational sessions on key issues, place targeted ads in ethnic media, etc.).
• Attend regular meetings and special events as needed, as an ambassador and champion of AAFSC. 

Case Support

• Maintain case files and record keeping in compliance with ACS standards, and all existing Federal, State and City laws (updating HIPAA and consent forms, documenting case work, printing progress notes and organizing documents).
• Maintain internal and external databases (PROMIS, Connections, Apricot Client database, etc.) by entering relevant collateral contacts, ensuring quality of notes, uploading closing packets, and printing notes, face sheets, and forms.
• Proofread case notes to edit spelling and grammatical errors and content for best case practice.
• Review physical and online case files to ensure proper documentation is uploaded accordingly.
• With support from the Supervisor and coordination with the Case Planner or Therapist, ensure the physical case file is complete, prior to the closing process.
• As assigned by Supervisor, assist Case Planners or Therapists by making collateral contacts, obtaining documentation for record-keeping, and support with the development and follow-up on case plans (as needed).
• Submit ACS support requests, including furniture requests, OPTA related services, investigative consultant services, clinical services, HCS requests, etc.)
• Participate in case conferences (as needed).
• As assigned by