Foster Care Social Worker / Case Manager

SUMMARY

A Foster CareCase Manager is responsible for all case management services for assigned children and youth placed in Seven Homes Foster Care program, ensuring they receive proper care in placement as defined by licensing standards and agency policies and practices.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

1. Support foster parents in their efforts to provide a safe and healthy environment for foster children.
2. Provide in-home visits to ensure licensing standards are maintained and ensure the health and welfare of children in assigned homes.
3. Work in partnership with other community resources to provide collaborative services for children, as needed.
4. Ensure medical and dental services are provided, as needed.
5. Ensure school/educational issues are addressed in a timely manner.
6. Attend court hearings as assigned cases require.
7. Provide transportation to children in the program, as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Bachelor's degree from an accredited 4-year college or university in social work, human services, or related field.
2. Have or be eligible to apply for the Certified Social Worker (CSW) accreditation.
3. Ability to work a flexible schedule, including being available for overtime and on-call assignments.
4. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
5. A valid drivers' license.
6. Meet agency drug screen, criminal background, and driving record standards.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to dial, handle, write; reach with hands and arms and stoop or kneel. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment varies based on essential functions being performed. Shared use of common spaces in the workplace is required. Maintaining a tidy office space and common areas is expected. Work environment may change based on the immediate needs of Foster Care and adoption programs.

WORK HOURS

A Foster CareCase Manager typically works 40 hours per week, but the hours will vary based on the unique circumstances surrounding assigned cases. Overtime may be required. In periods of reduced workload or demand, job roles and responsibilities may overlap temporarily.

DRESS CODE

When working in the office or in the field, casual attire is appropriate. Clothing should be in good repair, laundered, and pressed. Clothing with language or images that may be offensive or inappropriate to wear around children are prohibited.

Professional attire is required when representing Seven Homes in court or attending professional meetings both inside and outside of the office.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES MAY INCLUDE:

• Monthly face-to-face contact with assigned children and families, at a minimum
• Transport children in the program, as needed
• May include but not limited to medical appointments, therapy appointments, supervised visitations, etc.
• Maintain file compliance for assigned children on a monthly basis
• Obtain any documentation necessary for the file, as required by state guidelines
• Must present to supervisor monthly, at a minimum, or upon request
• Attend mandatory monthly Agency-wide meetings
• Attend mandatory monthly Team meetings
• Attend mandatory quarterly Staff Team Building Events
• Help plan and attend 3 quarterly events, annually
• Provide support to prevent placement disruption, as situation requires
• Attend appropriate training to ensure current knowledge of social work standards, policies, and laws
• Carries a case load max of 18 children, unless unusual circumstances arise.
• Complete 24 hours of training specific to job roles and responsibilities, annually
• Review and follow up on Critical Incident Reports pertaining to incidents in assigned children
• Submit Critical Incident Report within 72 hours of notification
• Follow up until a decision is reached regarding an open CPS investigation
• Maintain positive relationships with Seven Homes families and children, other agencies, and community members, as applicable
• Assist staff with physical placement of child
• May include transportation of child to licensed foster home
• Attend court hearings, as applicable
• Attend appropriate meetings that address any issue(s) related to assigned children
• May include but not limited to school meetings, therapy meetings, DSS meetings, etc.
• Provide on-call support after hours, as assigned