Case Aid- Foster Parent/Youth Support

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary

On-Site Location is in Tacoma, WA

James Matthew Commission, SPC (JMC) is seeking a dependable and compassionate Case Aide to provide practical, relationship-based support to foster parents and children and youth living in JMC foster homes.

The Case Aide helps promote placement stability by providing in-home assistance, individualized 1:1 youth support, transportation, skill-building, and support during evenings, weekends, appointments, and community activities. Services must be trauma-responsive, culturally respectful, developmentally appropriate, and consistent with each child or youths’ case plan.

We strongly encourage college seniors and students nearing completion of a related degree to apply. This role offers meaningful, hands-on experience supporting children, youth, foster parents, and multidisciplinary care teams.

Foster Parent and In-Home Support

• Provide scheduled support to foster parents in their homes, particularly during evenings, weekends, transitions, or periods of increased need.
• Assist foster parents with implementing established routines, behavioral strategies, household expectations, and individualized support plans.
• Model traumaresponsive approaches to supervision, redirection, emotional regulation, and conflict resolution.
• Help children and youth adjust to placement, family routines, school schedules, community activities, and other transitions.
• Provide practical support intended to reduce caregiver stress and strengthen placement stability.
• Observe and promptly communicate concerns related to child safety, caregiver support needs, behavior, or placement stability.
• Respect the foster parent’s role as the child or youth’s primary caregiver and maintain appropriate professional boundaries.

Individualized 1:1 Youth Support

• Provide individualized 1:1 supervision and support based on the child or youth’s developmental needs, case plan, safety plan, or service authorization.
• Build positive and consistent relationships with children and youth through active listening, encouragement, and strengthsbased coaching.
• Support emotional regulation, healthy coping skills, communication, problemsolving, and ageappropriate independence.
• Assist youth with homework, daily living skills, appointments, employment preparation, recreation, and community engagement.
• Maintain active, attentive, and developmentally appropriate supervision.
• Follow individualized safety, behavioral, medical, supervision, and crisisresponse plans.
• Use approved deescalation, redirection, and positive behavior support strategies.
• Immediately seek assistance when a child or youths’ needs exceed the Case Aide’s responsibilities or level of training.
Transportation and Community Support:
• Transport children and youth to appointments, schoolrelated activities, family visits, extracurricular activities, employment, and approved community activities.
• Follow JMC transportation policies, vehicle safety requirements, seatbelt and childrestraint laws, and confidentiality expectations.
• Maintain accurate mileage and transportation records.
• Notify the supervisor immediately of any accident, citation, vehicle safety concern, or change in driving or insurance status.
• Use a personal vehicle for authorized assignments when required.
Documentation and Team Communication
• Complete service notes, mileage reports, incident reports, time records, and other required documentation accurately and on time.
• Document services provided, the child or youth’s response, observed progress, significant concerns, and required followup.
• Communicate relevant information to the assigned supervisor, case manager, and foster parent while maintaining confidentiality.
• Participate in staff meetings, case consultations, training, and careteam meetings when requested.
• Immediately report suspected child abuse or neglect, missing youth, injuries, safety threats, or other critical incidents in accordance with mandatedreporting laws and JMC procedures.
• Protect confidential information concerning children, youth, foster parents, and families.
Minimum Qualifications
• Be at least 21 years of age, unless an exception permitted by applicable licensing requirements has been reviewed and approved by JMC.
• Possess a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Be able to perform assigned responsibilities safely and effectively.
• Meet at least one of the following:
• Have at least six months of fulltime experience applicable or transferable to working with the children and youth served by JMC;
• Have relevant lived experience;
• Have a combination of applicable work and lived experience; or
• Be attending classes at an accredited college or university in a field related to caring for or supporting the children and youth served by JMC.
• Meet any additional requirements established by DCYF contracts, licensing standards, accreditation requirements, or other applicable agreements.

JMC welcomes applicants who are building a career in human or social services. A college senior or student nearing degree completion may qualify based on enrollment in an applicable course of study, even with limited paid professional experience.

Relevant Areas of Study
• Social work
• Human services
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Criminal justice
• Education
• Child and family studies
• Child development
• Behavioral health
• Counseling
• Other related fields

This role provides practical experience in foster care, trauma-responsive services, youth engagement, family support, service documentation, placement stabilization, mandated reporting, and multidisciplinary teamwork.

Additional Requirements
• Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record.
• Dependable personal transportation with current registration and insurance meeting JMC requirements.
• Ability and willingness to travel between foster homes and community locations.
• Mandatory availability for evening and weekend assignments and flexibility based on fosterfamily and youth needs.
• Successful completion of required criminal history, child abuse, neglect, and background checks.
• Current First Aid and CPR certification or ability to obtain certification within the required timeframe.
• Completion of required JMC orientation and training, including mandated reporting, bloodborne pathogens, traumaresponsive care, behavior support, deescalation, confidentiality, and transportation safety.
• Food Worker Card when applicable to assigned duties.
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience working with children or youth in foster care, behavioral health, juvenile justice, residential care, education, childcare, mentoring, or communitybased services.
• Experience supporting foster, kinship, or resource families or providing individualized 1:1 youth support.
• Knowledge of trauma, attachment, grief and loss, child development, cultural humility, and positive behavior support.
• Interest in developing a career in child welfare, social services, behavioral health, or family support.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Dependable, punctual, flexible, and responsive to changing support needs.
• Able to remain calm and use sound judgment during stressful situations.
• Strong relationship building, listening, and communication skills.
• Able to follow written case plans, safety plans, supervision plans, and caregiver instructions.
• Able to maintain professional boundaries and protect confidential information.
• Able to work independently while remaining accountable to the assigned supervisor and care team.
• Able to document services objectively, accurately, and promptly.
• Committed to preserving the dignity, identity, voice, culture, and wellbeing of every child and youth.
Physical and Environmental Requirements
• Remain alert and actively supervise children and youth throughout an assignment.
• Sit, stand, walk, bend, and move throughout foster homes and community settings.
• Safely enter and exit vehicles and assist children with ageappropriate transportation needs.
• Respond promptly during emergencies or behavioral situations.
• Perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
Work Schedule

This is a part-time position, averaging approximately 20–30 hours per week. Hours vary according to foster family and youth needs. Evening and weekend availability are mandatory conditions of employment. Assignments may include after-school support, scheduled 1:1 services, appointments, community activities, family visits, and placement-stabilization support.

Compensation and Mileage Reimbursement:

$21.00–$22.19 per hour, depending on education, relevant experience, and qualifications. Employees using a personal vehicle for authorized JMC business receive mileage reimbursement in accordance with JMC policy. Regular commuting is not reimbursable unless otherwise authorized by JMC.

Equal Employment Opportunity

James Matthew Commission, SPC is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and maintaining a workplace that values dignity, cultural responsiveness, equity, and belonging. JMC does not discriminate based on any status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.