ConXión’s Cultural Brokers are case managers and work under the direction of the Program Coordinator. The Cultural Broker (CB) Program is a coordinated partnership between the Santa Clara County Department of Family and Children’s Services (DFCS), Juvenile Probation Department (JPD), and ConXión. This partnership enables referrals of children and their families who are experiencing multiple risk factors to access voluntary child-focused, culturally relevant community-led service. The program addresses the needs of families, specifically Latinx and Native American families by facilitating communication between the family, social worker and probation officers. Cultural Brokers have a cultural understanding and sensitivity of the Latinx and Native community and must maintain a high degree of cultural and language proficiency. The intent of this program is to reduce disproportionality among Latinos and Native American in the child welfare system by addressing challenges, mitigating biases, and mediating between groups of different cultural backgrounds. Cultural Brokers honor the families’ unique strengths and potential, helping them to self-advocate through humility and respect, in the hopes of preventing families and youth from entering the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. The job description may not be a complete listing of all miscellaneous, incidental or other duties that may be assigned during normal operations.
GENERAL RESPONSIBLITIES:
Assist clients with services that support the family case plan, created by DFCS, to ensure reduction of risk factors and reduction of recidivism
Provide case management and family education services, meeting at DFCS/FPD offices, ConXión office, community, or in the family home
Ensure that the social worker or another representative of DFCS, and the family have a mutual understanding of events and expectations.
Accompany the social worker to the location of the family for initial meetings with DFCS.
Engage DFCS and/or JPD through meaningful conversation about the family’s culture.
Develop and document a family case plan, identify achievements, update needs, and/or acknowledge successfully completed needs on an on-going basis.
Consult and collaborate regularly with Social Workers, Probation Officers, or other service providers to support clients with their family case plans and needs, discuss client’s progress or concerns and provide updates with the delivery of services that support a client’s case plan.
Educate the family on, but not limited to, the child welfare and/or juvenile delinquency system, allegations and safety concerns, court process and terminology, how to negotiate and resolve conflicts, how to advocate for their needs.
Support with family’s transition (from ER to DI, Voluntary to Continuing, from probation/child welfare to community support programs, etc).
Attend bi-weekly MDT (Multidisciplinary Team) meetings, facilitated by the County; Attend CFT (Child Family Team) meetings as needed
Stay informed and knowledgeable of resources and programs available throughout the County of Santa Clara and the respective community.
Maintain documentation and appropriate client files and complete required paperwork including intake, consents, individual service plans, surveys, discharge forms, and progress notes.
Perform other related duties as assigned by supervisor for the benefit of ConXión or its clients.
ESSENTIAL SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Bilingual, bicultural required. -Spanish
Knowledge of values, beliefs, and child welfare practices of cultural groups.
Experience navigating child welfare service delivery and supportive systems within communities.
Ability to adapt and be flexible with scheduled visits.
Must be familiar with the community/resources where they live.
Ability to work independently as well as a team member.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Should have a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or other related field and a minimum of two (2) years of work experience in providing direct case management services to clients with the following exceptions:
For applicant that do not possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or other related field, lived experience can be substituted as long as the following criteria is met: Clean & sober for a minimum of four (4) years and/or out of child welfare system a minimum of three (3) years.
California driver’s license and car insurance. No car accidents in last three (3) years.
Pass Life Scan background clearance.
Must be fully vaccinated including booster
Be at least 21 years of age.
A strong knowledge of the Latino and Native American culture, community resources and the ability to successfully engage with families is also required. Applicant must demonstrate knowledge of the cultural, religious, regional, ethnic, social, linguistic, gender and sexual orientation needs of the community being served.
