Description

Status: EXEMPT (salaried) Full-time  

Description of Typical Work Schedule: Schedule varies as they may be required to work evenings and weekends to attend meetings or to be on call in case of emergencies. They may also be required to work extended hours to complete paperwork or to meet deadlines. (Hours set based on necessity of department or office.)

PURPOSE: The Foster Care Case Manager will collaborate with DCFS, youth, birth families, foster parents, and other identified supports to facilitate the achievement of permanency for youth in care. Foster Care Case Managers will visit with members of the child and family team as required and work to identify any barriers to permanency and help secure supports and services to overcome identified barriers.

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

• Provides case management services to children and families in foster care
• Maintains and monitors youth in care placements to ensure safety, permanency, and well-being objectives are met as well as compliance with contract/program plan requirements. 
• Maintains current and accurate documentation of contact notes, case notes, and client records. 
• Coordinates and provides linkage to appropriate agency and community resources necessary for effective, efficient achievement of the permanency goal by established timeframe. 
• Establishes a therapeutic alliance and engage families, caregivers, and other service providers in the treatment process. 
• Maintains effective, consistent contact with therapists, attorneys, CASA, and/or any other community service providers, which includes facilitating and attending Child and Family Team meetings. 
• Prepares for and actively participate in all required meetings with DCFS.
• Attends and testifies in court hearings, as necessary.
• Meets with foster parents, birth parents, and youth monthly as required by policy, at minimum.
• Develops & maintains service plan outcomes and interventions in correlation with the recommendations of the integrated assessment, needs of the family and youth, and timely permanency achievement, as well as family progress in reunification efforts. 
• Partners with Licensing Specialist to ensure professional collaboration with foster parents. 
• Maintains communication with Foster Care Case Assistant to ensure an appropriate visitation plan for the family and youth. 
• Participates in on-call system and schedule, as necessary.
• Attends and participates in supervision to ensure monthly supervision occurs on all cases with assigned Foster Care Supervisor.
• Completes all Caritas paperwork and complies with program expectations as related to the position.
• Identifies learning needs to develop and actualize educational and/or professional development goals.
• Willingness to travel as this position requires frequent travel and vehicle use; follows agency and state guidelines regarding driving, rules of the road, and safety.

Requirements

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: 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. 

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE REQUIRED/PREFERRED:

Degree/Field Required: Bachelor's Degree (Related fields will be considered.) 

Degree/Field Preferred: Bachelor's degree in Social Work or in Human Services (related fields will be considered.)

Experience Required: Minimum less than 4 years (For positions that manage staff, the years specified need to be progressive years of management experience. For all positions, the years required can be interchanged with equivalent experience from an advanced degree related to this job and/or with other relevant experience verified by applicant/incumbent). 

Licenses/Certifications Required: Child Welfare Employee License

Licenses/Certifications Preferred: Child Welfare Employee License

Trauma-informed: Must display a willingness to adopt trauma informed interventions, principles, and practices as well as commitment to ongoing development of their capacity for application of trauma informed care. Realizes the prevalence of trauma among persons served by Caritas and the general population. Recognizes how trauma affects everyone involved-including clients, their families, staff, and community, and impacts behaviors. Responds to trauma by actively implementing the guiding principles of trauma informed care into their daily practice. Resists re-traumatization of persons served and staff providing services, by creating safe, welcoming, and supportive environments.

Proficient Computer Skills In: Outlook, Word, Database Management Software  

Expert Computer Skills In: Outlook, Word, Database Management Software  

VEHICLE RELATED REQUIREMENTS:

Access to reliable transportation to get to/from work: Required. 

Access to a reliable automobile: Required.

Must provide proof of auto liability insurance (and continue to while working in this position): Required.

Must possess a valid driver's license: Required.