Caseworker

Mission and About Us: Refugee Dream Center (RDC) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) engaged in reception, placement, and post-resettlement refugees. Our approach is based on offering direct services to receive refugees, and filling gaps in refugee resettlement while also providing continuation of services to ensure refugee self-reliance and self-sufficiency. We offer direct services in the areas of adult education, employment, legal, case management services, youth support services, health promotion, language and access services, psychosocial support, food and hygiene products distribution, housing, and cash assistance to refugees. RDC is also a strong advocacy agency for the rights of refugees.

Refugee Dream Center is a common venue for community engagement, cultural exchange, and a home away from home for refugees. It is a place for caring, self-help, healing, personal and professional development, and a venue for empowerment, strength cultivation, and accompaniment toward success.

Position Assignment Objectives & Staff Role

Goal & Objectives of the Position: The Caseworker position requires agility and the ability to multitask. The position works directly with newly resettled refugees, providing intensive and extended case management, as they integrate into life in the United States. The position requires coordination between the Refugee Dream Center and our affiliate, HIAS, working in tandem with case workers to support these families and individuals. The position oversees the Matching Grant and Preferred Communities programs and ensures that community members are enrolled in appropriate programs, provided appropriate core services, and that outlined requirements are met. The position entails several objectives that must be fulfilled to ensure success, and may also include additional tasks, responsibilities, and projects as they arise and are assigned by Supervisor and/or directors.

Activity 1: HIAS

Services: Litmos - Complete all trainings required by RDC & HIAS on the Litmos platform, IRIS - Understand the platform and data entry; create and update detailed case notes, learn to verify cases and their biodata, learn and understand all details regarding IRIS and its requirements, Sharepoint - Participate in and create notes from trainings hosted on Sharepoint from HIAS and associated organizations, Attend HIAS monthly meetings and trainings, Work with your supervisor to learn and utilize the Apricot Platform

Activity 2: Program Coordination

Services: Maintain knowledge of the US Refugee Resettlement Programs, and the programs offered through HIAS (Matching Grant & Preferred Communities), Ensure community members are enrolled into the program that best suits their needs, Maintain detailed case notes, files, and expense logs relating to individual cases and as a department, Coordinate with volunteers and staff to help with setting up housing for refugee community members, as well as for moving into new housing

Activity 3: Resource Access

Services: Support community members in navigating and accessing state, health, school, and community resources, Maintain relationships with partners to gain and expand resources for community members, Assist community members in accessing services at Community Action Partnership of Providence (CAPP), welfare, social security, and other service providers across the state., Assist community members in accessing medical and legal appointments, and other related services that are necessary during the integration journey., Assist community members with needs such as translating/explaining bills, calling billing companies, tax filing, etc., Assist in seeking and receiving donated items from donors, and distributing donated items to community members such as household items, food, furniture, toiletries, etc., and Coordinate with volunteers to offer support in various activities of case management

Activity 4: Pre-Arrival Engagement

Services: Assurance Submission, U.S. Tie Coordination, and Housing Securement

Activity 5: Arrival Engagement

Services: Airport Assistance, Clothing Assistance, Food Allowance, Home Safety Orientation, Initial Monetary Assistance, Interpretation, I-94 Retrieval, and Intake Interview

Activity 6: Post Arrival Engagement

Services: Home Outreach PIR and Well-being Assessment

Activity 7: Referrals and Enrollment

Services: Food Stamps Application Completion, Cash Assistance Application completion , Medicaid Application Completion , AR-11 Application completion, Service Plan Completion , School Registration Assistance, ESL Referral & Enrollment, Employment Referral & Enrollment, Health Screening Completion, SSA Application Assistance, Selective Service Registration, WIC Referrals and Enrollment, and I-693 Application

Activity 8: Citizenship Class

Services: Citizenship Test Training

Activity 9: Basic Human Need Assistance

Services: Rental Assistance, Utilities Assistance, Childcare Assistance, Individualized Service Plan Development, Cash Assistance, Gift Cards Distribution

Activity 10: Cultural Training Workshops

Services: Cultural Attunement Training

Activity 11: Status Adjustment

Services: Status Adjustment Fee Assistance, Status Adjustment Assistance, and Family Reunification Case Support

Activity 12: Women's Integration Support

Services: Skills Training, Psychosocial Support, and Mental Health Support Groups.

Activity 13: Benefit Support

Services: Social Benefits Assistance

Activity 14: Basic Human Needs Support

Services: Bus Pass Distribution, Transportation Assistance, Interpretation Service, Referral Support, Home Outreach (General), Flyers Distribution, Case Management, and Basic Needs Assessment.

Skills & Qualifications

Applicants should have the following skills and experience:

• A bachelor’s degree in a related field, and/or relevant experience in the field
• Possess an understanding of refugee resettlement and the perceptions about refugees in Rhode Island
• Ability to provide all walk-in community members with an intake.
• Ability to provide all community members with a welcome package within 48 working hours of intake.
• Ability to identify learning opportunities for self and others, and take/recommend action
• Ability to communicate and model the Refugee Dream Center’s mission, values, and priorities to staff and stakeholders
• Ability to work independently and with teams, with great interpersonal skills, and to build core leadership structures among team members
• Ability to delegate work among staff and volunteers, holding them accountable for deadlines
• Ability to empower staff and/or volunteers to take initiative and be creative
• Be able to work with groups of people at varying levels and positions
• Possess problem-solving skills and the ability to quickly assess issues and develop new strategies
• Be proficient with Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Outlook) and Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Slides), as well as standard office equipment and related software tools
• Able to manage multiple projects/cases with attention to detail and the ability to maintain focus while dealing with interruptions
• Be creative, innovative, and able to take initiative
• Must be able to pass a criminal background check

Working Conditions

Work is typically performed in an office and in office settings. On occasions, work may be conducted outside the office for activities within the community. There will be occasional travel for home visits, meetings, appointments, and workshops.

Supervision

The Caseworker position reports directly to the programs manager, Md. Shazedull Islam Shakil.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $50,000.00 - $60,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Providence, RI 02907: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Application Process:

Refugee Dream Center participates in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $24.00 - $26.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Ability to Commute:

• Providence, RI 02907 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Providence, RI 02907: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person