Social Worker, Austin

Casey Family Programs, an Equal Opportunity Employer, is the nation’s largest operating foundation focused on safely reducing the need for foster care and building Communities of Hope for children and families across America. Founded in 1966, Casey Family Programs works in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, two territories, and tribal nations to influence long-lasting improvements to the safety and success of children, families and the communities where they live. Casey Family Programs values diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, anti-discrimination, and respect for individuals in the workplace. We encourage candidates with diverse lived experience and perspectives to apply.

Child and Family Services (CFS) of Casey Family Programs provides direct services and tribal consultation in pursuit of Casey’s mission to provide, improve, and – ultimately prevent the need for – foster care. CFS operates nine field offices in five states and an Indian Child and Family Well-being Program office that demonstrate direct service and ICW improvement models. We share our experiences and lessons learned with jurisdictions, tribes, providers, and communities in the spirit of mutual continuous learning. Our work is community and family centered, relationship-based, participatory, and culturally responsive. We recognize the dignity and strength of every individual, family, community and culture.

Job Summary:

Utilizing a collaborative, innovative, evidence-informed, trauma and healing approach to practice, we engage families and community partners in the urgent, relentless pursuit of legal and relational permanency and well-being for all children and families so that no child ages out of foster care and all young people experience belonging and connection to family, community, and culture. Our clinical case management and support activities primarily occur within homes and in the community, with virtual options available, as necessary. The Social Worker is responsible for the coordination and delivery of services to children, youth, young adults and families who are in, have been involved with, or are at risk of entering the child welfare system. The service interventions designed by the Social Worker with the full participation of the youth, family and multidisciplinary team result in improved outcomes in safety, permanency and well-being as well as connections to family, community and culture all of which impact reduction of entry into foster care, reduction of length of stay in foster care and increased exits from foster care. The Social Worker provides clinical case management and works closely with public child welfare system staff, multidisciplinary team members, supervisors and court personnel to identify and mitigate barriers to timely permanency. The Social Worker is on call, subject to each field office’s mode of ensuring coverage. when clients face crisis situations. The Social Worker effectively teams with all other positions in the field office to ensure the best possible service delivery to youth and families.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Provides case management services for children, youth, young adults and families, in accordance with CFS practice standards, local regulatory requirements and accreditation standards. This includes clinical assessment of individual and family safety/functioning/needs; assessing and identifying pathways and barriers to legal and relational permanency; arranging for supportive and ameliorative services that address permanency and well-being needs; such as social emotional, educational, employment/vocational, and working effectively with the local child welfare jurisdiction, tribes, and community partners to achieve the identified outcomes. Maintains a focus on connection to family, community, and culture for all clients served. Assesses the need for relevant services and coordinates with vendors in securing the delivery of services and follows outlined office procedures for specific requests. Complies with all documentation requirements for internal and external audits of case records and documents work to inform best practice in expediting permanency in foster care.
• Responsible for guiding the process towards permanency and improved well-being by engaging all stakeholders in the development of assessment and implementation of goals and service strategies to meet those goals. This is achieved through the development of effective teaming, intensive relationships with clients, families and support networks, public system workers and supervisors, members of the judiciary and community service providers as well as effective partnerships with all field office colleagues. Interventions are informed by the mutually developed goals and include arrangement and facilitation of regular extended team meetings. Implementation of service strategies requires application of clinical knowledge related to mental health, Family Group Decision Making, family finding and birth family engagement as well as specialized knowledge in promotion of positive outcomes in permanency, education, employment, trauma and healing informed approaches and modalities, building life skills inclusive of the unique needs and family dynamics of kinship caregivers and an ability to maximize community supports and resources. Permanency focused work includes engagement of birth parents for reunification, relative and non-related caregivers for adoption/guardianship and identification of needed post permanency support to ensure stability and longevity of legal and relational permanence. In collaboration and close teaming with Family Engagement Liaison, coordinates, determines and implements the selected Family Group Conferencing (FGC) plan.
• Collaborates with field office leadership and staff to coordinate teaming activities to expedite improved outcomes for all clients served and to support a continuous learning environment. This includes participation in clinical staffing processes as both recipient and contributor to service review, partnering with field office staff to ensure that clients are effectively served through the duration of service and actively engaged in ongoing learning activities. Participates in staff meetings to assess referrals/resource families, analyze data to inform practice/program improvements and identify process improvement to ensure field office goals are met. Uses alternative technology, such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams to accomplish work.
• May consult, teach, facilitate groups, and assist in the advancement of learning of targeted youth, professionals, and families. Provides expertise to external partners through Demonstration and Spread efforts, such as service reviews and teaming processes, in jurisdictions around the country to promote improved permanency outcomes. Serves on various workgroups or committees.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

All of these essential responsibilities necessitate the ability to work and communicate effectively across differences with diverse services, populations, staff and stakeholders to advance diversity, equity and inclusion; to work effectively in a team environment as well as work autonomously and exercise independent judgement as required; to demonstrate effective organizational, analytical, critical thinking, and problem solving skills; to collaborate with management and staff to ensure alignment with organizational values, goals, and directives in all work performed.

Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Social Work or related field from an accredited institution, that includes a clinical internship or practicum, and a minimum of five years clinical experience in child welfare or other child and family service-related practice is required.
• Broad knowledge of social work practice and clinical theory, including assessment and intervention skills in family systems approach, is essential.
• Expertise in the areas of permanency, improved well-being outcomes for youth in care, and family engagement, community support and evidenced based and promising practices aimed at strengthening families and ensuring child safety required. Clinical expertise in the area of family systems and knowledge in the areas of substance abuse, mental health and domestic violence necessary.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, respect for tribal sovereignty, and respect for cultural, racial, and gender difference is required. Personal qualities demonstrating adaptability, curiosity, collaboration and a capacity for self-reflection and commitment to lifelong learning are a must. Ability to contribute effectively with and across teams and with external partners necessary.
• Ability to perform effectively in high pressure and stressful work environment. Ability to manage stress and self-care.
• This position is full-time requiring time in the field and the office, therefore full-time teleworking is not an option. Regular and reliable attendance is required.
• Physical requirements include the ability to lift and reach for light objects; ability to type and work at a computer for extended periods of time as a primary job function.
• Ability to protect the confidentiality of sensitive information by learning and following all relevant policies and protocols and using sound judgment in the handling and sharing of that information.
• Local travel as well as occasional out of town travel may be required. Driving on Casey business may require use of personal vehicle; adherence to vehicle safety guidelines and qualification for insurance is require.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The typical hiring range for this position in Austin, TX is $75,429 to $88,740. The full salary range for the role is $75,429 to $102,051. As a mission-driven organization, Casey strives to balance competitive pay with our mission. Actual placement in the range will depend on a candidate’s job-related skills, experience, and expertise, as evaluated during the interview process.

Casey Family Programs offers comprehensive benefits including medical, dental and vision coverage, accrual of 12 days of annual leave, 12 days of sick leave,10 paid holidays per year, and each employee receives one personal holiday to use each calendar year. Employees that meet certain tenure qualifiers are eligible for up to eight weeks of parental leave for the birth or placement of a child for adoption or foster care. After the completion of 10 years of continuous, full-time regular employment, employees in good standing are permitted for a three-month sabbatical with pay. CFP also offers many opportunities for continued learning, training, and development.

This position will remain open until the needs are met and is subject to closure at any time without notice. It is to your advantage to file your application early as you will not be able to apply once the position has closed.

Equal Opportunity Employer


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