Foster Care Worker

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Job Title: Foster Care Worker

Unit/Service: Placement Services

Reports To: Foster Care Supervisor

Supervises: Not Applicable

Position Summary: Within the framework of the agency’s mission, policies, procedures and resources, the Foster Care Worker is responsible for providing ongoing case management services for assigned cases. Duties are to be completed in compliance with current Child Placing Agency Rules, contractual or grant obligations and/or any additional applicable accreditation standards.

Requirements:

 

$6,000 BONUS for CWTI-trained New Hires!

Receive $3,000 immediately upon hire, then an additional $3,000 following one year of employment. Must provide proof of CWTI training completion.

Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s Degree in one of the following majors: social work, psychology, criminal justice, behavioral science, community service, counseling, early childhood studies, family and/or child development, guidance/school counseling, human development and family studies, human services, sociology, interdisciplinary studies in social science, education, community development, law enforcement, forensic psychology, gerontology, special education, education of the emotionally disturbed, or education of the gifted.
2. Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills.
3. Evidence of ability to work cooperatively as a member of a service delivery team.
4. One year of child welfare experience or field placement is preferred. 
5. Valid operator’s license with available car, continuously in-effect auto insurance, and a safe driving record.
6. Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through continuous development, modeling inclusive behaviors, and proactively managing bias. 

Major Responsibilities:

A. Case Planning/Service Delivery: The Foster Care Worker completes initial and ongoing assessments in regard to the needs of the family and the child in order to move toward a permanency plan in a timely manner.

1. The Foster Care Worker assesses the needs of the child and family and develops an effective treatment plan based upon petition allegations.
2. The Foster Care Worker makes reasonable efforts to locate resources and connect the family to those resources in a timely manner.
3. The Foster Care Worker assesses and meets the needs and/or requests of foster parents in a timely and efficient manner.
4. The Foster Care Worker participates in any trainings as required by State licensing standards or as required by the Agency.

B. Documentation: The Foster Care Worker documents all case-related activities in the Michigan Statewide Automated Child Welfare System (MiSACWIS) according to the Department of Health and Human Services policy. The Foster Care Worker also submits all case-related documents in the case file as required by Orchards Children’s Services and DCWL policy. 

1. The Foster Care Worker completes an Initial Service Plan within 30 days of each child’s placement into foster care for each child/family assigned. An Updated Service Plan is completed every 90 days thereafter. All reports accurately reflect activity on the case and are submitted in a timely manner. Additional reports, including court reports, replacement reports, termination summaries and any other required reports are completed as necessary. Foster Care Worker ensures that signatures are obtained from all case participants according to policy.
2. Social Work contacts/progress notes are completed in detail in regard to each contact made by the worker. All social work contacts are entered into MiSACWIS according to policy and are submitted for filing on a weekly basis.
3. Foster Home Visit and Birth Home Visit forms are fully completed during each monthly visit and are signed by the foster parent/birth parent. Foster/Birth Home Visit forms are submitted to the Foster Care Director upon completion.

C. Communication: The Foster Care Worker communicates effectively and professionally, both verbally in written form, with all team members.

1. Information is presented to the Court in the form of written reports, as well as verbal testimony in a clear and concise manner, which meets the requirements of the Court.
2. Information is effectively and accurately communicated to members of the team within Orchards, as well as to external customers, ie. Department of Health and Human Services, etc.
3. The Foster Care Worker responds to any and all crisis situations in a calm and professional manner and demonstrates the ability to effectively meet the needs of the parties involved.
4. The Foster Care Worker acts as back-up for staff as needed to ensure appropriate service delivery.
5. The Foster Care Worker meets a minimum of weekly with the Foster Care Supervisor for supervision to review individual case progress and obtain direction on individual cases. The worker also participates in any other staff meetings, agency meetings, or projects as required.
6. The Foster Care Worker conducts and documents Family Team Meetings as required by DHHS policy, with all parties, in order to convey case status information.

D. Time Management: The Foster Care Worker demonstrates the ability to effectively manage various and/or multiple tasks.

1. The Foster Care Worker demonstrates the ability to effectively prioritize various tasks and assignments and complete them in a timely manner.
2. The Foster Care Worker demonstrates the ability to schedule tasks and appointments in a manner that allows for flexibility.

E. Other: Perform related tasks as assigned.