Case Manager - Family Support Services

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary: The Path 2 Case Manager will provide in-home case management services for the Contra Costa County Children and Family Services (CFS) Bureau’s Differential Response (DR) program. The primary goal of the differential response program is to help at-risk families address their issues and to avoid further need for interaction with Children and Family Services. The Path 2 Case Manager will receive referrals of families meeting the Path 2 criteria from Children and Family Services and will manage a caseload of 10-12 families at any given time.

Case Managers will engage and establish positive rapport with families who are experiencing multiple stressors impacting their ability to parent effectively and who are consequently at risk of entering the child welfare system. Case Managers will help referred families secure needed services, improve family functioning, enhance child well-being, and avoid further need for interaction with CFS. Services will be individualized and customized to meet the needs of each family. Services will be delivered on days and at hours that accommodate family needs and responsibilities. Case management services will be available during non-business hours, on weekends and on-call on holidays. Case Managers are required to manage their workload independently and with professionalism.

Reports to: Family Preservation Program Manager

Supervisory Responsibility : N/A

Essential Responsibilities:

• Conduct an initial strengths-based, in-home family assessment within the first thirty (30) days of service and conduct follow-up assessments every three (3) months. All data must be reported using approved Catholic Charities and County forms.
• Engage families in the development of action plans and goals to address issues identified in the assessment.
• Return calls from County social workers within 24 hours.
• See clients in home, and in person, one (1) to two (2) times per week between intake and the first and second month in the DR Program (first sixty (60) days of DR services minimum of two (2) weekly visits).
• See clients in-home, and in-person, two (2) to three (3) times per month in the third through sixth months in the DR Program.
• Conduct follow-up contacts, in-person or by telephone, one (1) month after cases are closed.
• Conduct follow-up contacts, in-person or by telephone, three (3) months after cases are closed.
• Contact clients by telephone as needed throughout their time in the DR Program.
• Provide families with referrals to community-based resources. Coordinate, follow up, and document outcome of the referrals in the DR data collection tool.
• Attend mandatory Transition Meetings, which is the transition of the family from the CFS Social Worker to the DR Agency.
• Provide relevant services including facilitated linkages to the multiple services of Catholic Charities of the East Bay and to appropriate community-based resources needed to help clients meet identified goals.
• Provide 24-hour, on-call support for families in case of crisis or emergency. Catholic Charities of the East Bay will identify a reserve case manager to provide coverage in the event of the absence of the designated Path 2 Clinical Case Managers.
• Case Managers will attend all meetings mandated by the County, as well as participating in collaborative meetings with other community partners, as appropriate.
• Maintain complete and accurate client service documentation in databases required by Contra Costa County and Catholic Charities of the East Bay.
• Collaborate with CFS Staff to transition Families to another Contra Costa County regional DR provider (e.g. obtain confidential information releases), or when receiving an identified DR referral from another Contra Costa County DR Provider, in a smooth and timely manner to minimize service disruption to the Family.
• Participate in all required training for the DR program including training and certification in Motivational Interviewing and any other requirements related to the DR program.

Success Metrics:

• Complete in-person visits with all referred clients within the first 30 days of referral.
• Complete family assessments, action plans, and goals are completed in a timely manner in accordance with program requirements.
• Provide or facilitate services needed to help clients meet goals.
• Provide 24-hour support to all clients in crisis.
• Review client service documentation to be sure it is accurate and completed within 48 hours of client interaction.

Core Competencies:

• Ability to establish quick rapport with clients and their families often in times of crisis.
• Ability to drive to and from client’s homes and community meetings in personal vehicle.
• Cultural relevancy for African American and Latino/Hispanic populations
• Ability to perform clear and concise documentation, prepare reports and other documents to support timely billing.
• Ability to work with multi-disciplinary service delivery teams and access community resources appropriately as needed by clients with diverse interests and needs.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of clients from diverse cultural backgrounds.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Possesses a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent professional experience and three years of experience working with children, youth, and families, or system involved youth.
• Must be bi-lingual with English and Spanish and must be able to speak with community in verbal and written forms of both languages.
• Knowledge and skills of principles, models, and techniques of intensive case management as relevant to children, youth and families affected by violence, focusing on child abuse and neglect and including domestic violence and community violence.
• Knowledge of Contra Costa County community resources is highly desirable. Must have a Valid driver’s license, proof of insurance, and access to reliable incurred vehicle.
• Fingerprinting and background check with clearance to work with children and youth
• Willingness to participate in CCEB quality assurance activities as specified by the agency.
• Commitment to the goals of Catholic Charities of the East Bay and the Oakland Diocese.