Family & Children’s Service of Ithaca (F&CS) is a private, nonprofit community agency dedicated to providing a safe place for people of all backgrounds who are seeking services for their mental health and well-being. They serve both individuals and families, with a particular sensitivity toward the needs of children. They prioritize excellence in their services to the community and are committed to ensuring they are equitable and accessible.
“We place emphasis on making sure folks believe and helping them to know that their mental health and wellbeing is important,” says Leon Holden, Director of Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in the Human Resources department. “And we do everything in our power to help support that, even if it means referring them to someone else for a better fit.”
The creation of Leon’s role at F&CS was part of a commitment to developing a workplace culture of trust, accountability, and respect. To provide the best services possible, a supportive environment for both employees and clients is essential.
Leon says, “I am responsible for making sure my staff—who I lovingly refer to as my collaborators—feel loved and heard and seen and respected when they come to work. My job is also to coach them—educate them—on self-advocacy." He works to minimize the “arms-length” relationship employees typically have with Human Resources by ensuring they know they will be supported whether they are in the room or not.
Beyond counseling, another service F&CS provides is the Youth Outreach Program, which connects youth to host homes for temporary shelter before they move on to a more stable housing situation. Hosts don’t take on any custodial role—they simply provide an interim home for youth in need. The Youth Outreach Program is currently seeking new host home volunteers. Visit the Open Doors webpage for more information.
Career Opportunities at F&CS
F&CS is currently hiring for multiple roles with varying experience requirements. People who are ready to do the work—of anti-racism, anti-bigotry, and accountability—are great candidates for F&CS jobs.
F&CS is a Fair Chance Employer, meaning that although they conduct background checks during the hiring process, they do not necessarily revoke job offers due to past convictions. This would only take place if there were a direct relationship between the job responsibilities and the nature of convictions.
Being a Fair Chance Employer is a matter of equity, Leon says. “We are not the judge or the jury for people who have already been judged and juried and have served their time.”
One of the open positions is the Billing Clerk (starting salary: $19.50 hourly), who will act as the liaison between the billing department, support services, and clients. Suitable candidates have good customer service, communication, and computer skills. F&CS is seeking candidates with at least a high school diploma or G.E.D. and prior experience in medical or therapeutic office working within a private insurance and Medicaid reimbursement environment. The primary role of the Billing Clerk is to ensure all clients are informed about the Financial Assistance Program, answer any questions about bills, and verify insurance coverage.
Another open position is the Mental Health Clinician role (starting salary: $70,000 annually). Suitable candidates have a master’s or doctorate degree in psychology, social work, mental health counseling, or marriage and family therapy. In order to provide superior services to the community, F&CS needs a diverse team with people of many backgrounds. The more the team reflects the diversity of potential clientele, the better the team can serve them.
New hires can look forward to the following benefits: generous Paid Time Off (PTO) and holiday schedule, Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage options for employees and eligible dependents, Enhanced Short Term Disability, Free Basic Life and AD&D, Pre-tax savings options, and a 403(b) Retirement Plan with employer contributions after one year of employment. For some positions, employees have the option to create a hybrid office/home work schedule.
Leon speaks on his own experience as an employee at F&CS. “My Executive Director is one of the main reasons why I get up every morning and come and do what I do,” he says. “She recognizes my talent, she recognizes my contributions, and she recognizes my empathy and my compassion for this work.”
He emphasizes that his collaborators at F&CS are open about their opinions and know how to “disagree without being disagreeable.” He believes this allows the staff to develop more creative solutions to challenges without creating discord between colleagues.
Leon attests that these creative solutions are being put into action, allowing him to pursue his goals as the Director of Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. “However long I end up working at F&CS, my goal is to leave the organization in a more equitable place than I found it.”
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If you are interested in joining the Family & Children’s Service team, visit their website to learn more and contact Leon Holden at lholden@fcsith.org to apply. Leon Holden is a valued member of the Tompkins County Workforce Development Board, where he contributes his insights on Human Resources, non-profit organizations, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
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