Caseworker (Foster Care & Visitation)

Are you looking for a rewarding position in child welfare that promotes healthy relationships with foster children and families? Then our Foster Care Caseworker and Visitation Monitor role may be just for you!

Under the supervision of a program director, the Foster Care Caseworker and Visitation Monitor will meet regularly with the children and youth on his or her caseload to provide casework and case management services. This includes making sure the children’s needs are being met, being an advocate for them when services are inadequate, and engaging client families in the overall treatment and planning process for their children.

In addition, the worker will also complete assigned drives and visits as required through the Transportation and Visitation Program. This requires transportation of children and/or adults to visits and facilitates the supervision of visits between children in out-of-home care and their family members with a strengths-based, solution-focused approach that emphasizes full engagement with the child and family members. Court testimony may also be required, as well as some evening/weekend hours.

WHO You’ll Be Working For:

You will be working for Pinebrook Family Answers- a large nonprofit leader in providing community-based services throughout Northeast PA. Pinebrook has three locations in the Lehigh Valley and over 20 different programs serving young children through older adults. Pinebrook has been named one of the Lehigh Valley’s Best Places to work and is one of the only certified Trauma Informed Social Service Agencies in the area. At Pinebrook Family Answers, you will find meaningful work and a deep commitment to the well-being of our clients, staff, and communities.

WHAT You’ll Do as a Caseworker and Visitation Monitor:

1. Meet regularly with the children and youth on your caseload to provide casework and case management services, along with meeting with the foster families in accordance with program standards to provide support and guidance.

2. Work cooperatively with staff of referring and collateral agencies to meet the needs of each client. Serves as a liaison between the Agency and all community resources benefitting clients; enrolls children and youth on caseload in school and participates in all educational planning and reporting.

3. Writes all required reports, relating to clients’ adjustment and progress towards meeting goals of placement. Maintains clients’ records and database information in compliance with legal, regulatory and agency standards; keeps case notes and recording of all contacts pertaining to the client current.

4. Transport clients to family visits and other appointments as assigned. Supervise family visits to ensure the safety of the child(ren) and promote family connections, using supportive, facilitative visitation techniques outlined in the Marty Beyer Visit Coaching model. The family visitation plan will provide families with education/coaching/modeling of appropriate parental behavior during visits.

5. Ensures the safety of clients at all times and adheres to all parameters set by referring agency and Pinebrook policy.

6. Documents all activities provided to the family or on behalf of the family and completes all reports/paperwork within the prescribed time frames

7. Attend case-related meetings and provide testimony in court as necessary.

WHY You’ll Love Working with Us:

• Pinebrook Family Answers is a Trauma-Informed agency, committed to the Emotional, Physical and Cultural Safety of our staff. We promote Trustworthiness, Choice Collaboration and Empowerment.
• We encourage staff wellness and a healthy Work/Life balance, so you can expect flexibility, supportive staff, manageable caseloads, agency mindfulness initiatives, and consistent and strengths-based supervision. Your input in highly valued.
• We have a generous benefits package: Health Insurance, 401(k) and matching, Paid Holidays, Vacation and Sick Time and Paid Wellness Days.
• We care about your professional future, so we provide opportunities for advancement and unique experiences and training to build your professional repertoire.
• Pinebrook staff can be part of meaningful agency and systems change via the Trauma-Informed Care Committee (T.I.K.I.), our Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Allyship Initiative (I.D.E.A.), and other advocacy events and fundraisers.
• You will be a part of well experienced team with extensive knowledge of the child welfare system.

APPLYING IS EASY AS 1...2...3!

1. Before you apply, please make sure you understand the minimum requirements for this position:

• Must have a minimum of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, preferably in human services, and experience with the ability to engage children and families
• Must have knowledge of family dynamics, child development and effective parenting; have excellent teaching, communication, writing, and organizational skills
• Excellent customer service, written and oral communication skills and possess intermediate computer skills (MS Word, Excel, Outlook and Internet).
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule
• Have a valid driver’s license, excellent driving record, reliable car, and proper liability insurance on his/her own vehicle.
• Must be at least 21 years old

2. You can submit a Resume via Indeed, or visit our website at ww.pbfalv.org/employment

3. Applicants may be asked to participate in phone interview(s), virtual interview(s), or in-person interview(s) as agreed upon by the applicant and the hiring manager. We do our best to accommodate your schedule.

*Bi-lingual individuals are encouraged to apply.*

THANK YOU for your interest in this position and we hope to hear from you soon!

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $17.00 - $18.00 per hour

Expected hours: 37.5 per week

Benefits:

• 403(b)
• 403(b) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Patient demographics:

• Adolescents
• Adults
• Children

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Application Question(s):

• Do you have a reliable car, and proper liability insurance?
• Are you able to work flexible hours?
• Do you have knowledge of family dynamics, child development and effective parenting skills? Please explain.

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Language:

• Spanish (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Work Location: In person