Social Worker/Case Manager - Foster Care

Foster Care/Out Of Home Care Case Manager

The Foster Care/Out of Home Care Case Manager will work with Foster Care Families providing licensing and support for the youth placed in their homes. This also involves working with Kinship Care homes, either court ordered, or voluntary. This worker must become SAFE home study certified as they will assess potential foster parent applicants and follow all state and federal guidelines during the licensing process. They will ensure that the foster parents receive the support that they need to successfully care for children in their home. The Foster Care/Out of Home Care Manager will assess the need for developing and implementing a support plan for each foster parent to address training and other supports required to meet the need of each individual child placed in the home. They will review potential licensing violations and incidents as they arise. The Foster Care/ Out of Home Care Manager will collaborate with the initial assessment and ongoing case managers to determine the best placement match that meet the needs of the child. They will participate in monthly home visits and be an active member of child-focused teams.

Essential Duties

Provides court intake and ongoing responsibilities as outlined in Chapter 48 of the Wisconsin Children's Code. Investigates reports of alleged child maltreatment and unborn child abuse. Provides emergency child protection services which may include a referral to Juvenile Court and/or temporary out of home placement. Provides case management responsibility for intake assignments, including prioritization for action, when necessary, to assure that safety and service needs are addressed in an effective and timely manner. Provides short term counseling in physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, emotional damage and unborn child abuse cases when appropriate. Handles phone coverage and walk-in-clients during regular business hours to accept referrals of child maltreatment and unborn child abuse. Participates in the substantiation appeal process, as required. Shares the responsibility for after hour's coverage on child protection emergencies by being on call on a rotating basis. Provides ongoing treatment planning and intervention, including counseling and case management to families where child abuse/neglect exists. Plans, prepares and presents pre-disposition investigative, court review, guardianship and termination of parental rights reports for juvenile court. Provides court testimony and supervises dispositional and consent decree orders. Completes and maintains necessary documentation according to applicable requirements, codes and policies. Follows established initial assessment protocols entering information into the EWISACWIS system by utilizing a computer. Attends staff meetings, in service and outside agency training sessions. Performs networking of appropriate and necessary services for families in an efficient and effective manner. Maintains and documents diligent efforts to reunite or establish alternative permanency plans. Maintains the confidential nature of client and business information. Complies with all local, state, and federal laws governing clients and rendering of services. Provides ongoing services to children who have been removed from their parental homes and placed in foster care, relative care, or specialized alternate care. Contacts are to be on a weekly basis or as defined by treatment plan. Provides counseling, instruction, direction and support to relatives, foster families, or private agencies providing alternate care placement for children who have been removed from their parental homes. Serves as liaison with the care providers and schools, medical and other service providers to assist the care providers to obtain needed services for children. Assesses capabilities of foster parents and other care providers to deal with particular individuals and client groups. Assess, coordinate, and provide Independent Living Services. Provide job duties associated with HFS 56, Foster Home Care for Children. Provide job duties associated with Kinship Care. NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES: Participates in public relations activities about child protection, e.g. speeches to school and community groups. Performs related functions as assigned. MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT USED: General office equipment Computer

Minimum Qualifications Required

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in social work or related human service field or attainment of the degree upon hire date. One (1) year of recent social work experience preferably working with child abuse and neglect or human service experience, which is child focused, family based and rehabilitative in nature preferred. Experience with court work and testimony is desired.

Licenses and Certifications: Valid Wisconsin Driver's License. Ability to obtain certification training for Court Intake workers within one year. State Social Worker Certification preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge of casework principles and methods, social systems, family dynamics, group and individual behavior. Knowledge of dynamics of child maltreatment. Knowledge of professional social work interviewing principles and techniques. Knowledge of Wisconsin Children's Code, Indian Child Welfare Act, and Juvenile Court policies and procedures. Knowledge of community resources and ways in which they may be made available to the client. Knowledge of child development and child rearing skills. Knowledge of and ability to utilize a computer and the required software. Ability to diagnose and assess human problem situations, specifically in the area of child maltreatment, to set priorities for solutions, and to consider alternative treatment plans. Ability to use authority constructively. Ability to be decisive and make constructive decisions, under the pressure of crises or emergencies, with the appropriate knowledge and timing. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with a wide variety of collateral resources: law enforcement, Juvenile Court, hospitals, attorneys, school, etc. Ability to plan and organize work and to make effective use of time; ability to understand human behavior and to relate sensitively and effectively with physically abused, physically neglected, sexually abused and emotionally damaged children and their families. Ability to establish an effective working relationship with clients who may be resistive, have limited motivation and limited ability to follow through. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with staff and the public. Ability to work the required hours of the position. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Lifting 25 pounds maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds. Lifting and transporting small children. Frequent standing, sitting, walking and driving. Using hand(s)/feet for repetitive single grasping, fine manipulation, pushing and pulling, and operating controls. Occasional bending, twisting, squatting and grappling; frequent climbing and reaching. Communicating orally in a clear manner. Distinguishing sounds at various frequencies and volumes. Distinguishing people or objects at varied distances under a variety of light conditions. Distinguishing physical living conditions at varied distances under a variety of light conditions. This position description should not be interpreted as all-inclusive. It is intended to identify the major responsibilities and requirements of this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this description.