Case Manager, TANF

Family & Children’s Agency (FCA) is a nonprofit human service organization that is committed to increasing the social and emotional well-being of our clients – people throughout Fairfield County. Our Agency builds better lives by offering more than 30 programs that meet needs across all ages, delivering services to more than 13,000 people each year. Our clients reside primarily in Norwalk, Wilton, Darien, Westport, Weston, New Canaan, Stamford, and Greenwich. Our Home Care and Foster Care programs provide assistance to residents throughout Fairfield County, and the Adoption program is both nationwide and international.

Our Mission is to partner with individuals, families, organizations and communities to build better lives.

FCA is proud to currently offer a hybrid working model to our employees. Employees enjoy a wide array of benefits that make up our competitive compensation package. We are proud to offer generous employer contributions to our medical plans, continued education credits offered at no cost, annual tuition reimbursement stipend, employer paid Life & LTD policies, FSA and Dependent Care, 401K with a match and a generous vacation and time off policy to include Martin Luther King Jr Day and Juneteenth! We also offer employee discounts to multiple organizations, events and your cell phone plan. Our benefits don't stop there - we offer an EAP program, paid for CEUs and clinical supervision, summer Fridays and employee appreciation events along with wellness incentives and challenges!

The Temporary Assistance to Needy Families Case Management Program (TANF-CM), is a statewide home-based case management and basic needs support program designed to promote self-sufficiency and child well-being. The program assists recipients of Temporary Family Assistance through intensive. solution-focused case management and care coordination to identify and reduce barriers to sustained employment, increase access to community resources, and nurture child development. This case manager position is located at FCA’s Branford office.

The Case Manager (CM) provides outreach, initial assessment, advocacy, case planning, service coordination, and case management for families referred to the TANF CM program with significant barriers to employment.

• Conducts targeted outreach to locate assigned TANF CM referred families within designated program time frames
• Engages located families in TANF CM services in alignment with expected program outcome standards
• Provides intensive, client-centered, in-home and/or community-based case management
• Performs initial client assessments and updated assessments within designated program time frames
• Works with clients to develop and implement clear and relevant goals using the Family Development Plan designed to assist clients in overcoming barriers to employment
• Establishes and maintains relationships with local/regional staff from state departments, workforce development boards and others who make referrals to the program
• Teaches clients budgeting, money management, shopping, banking, and other necessary life skills through direct instruction and/or modeling
• Assists clients in forming and/or fulfilling an employment plan either through the Jobs First services or on an individual basis for non-Jobs First eligible clients
• Assists clients in problem solving
• Reviews client assessments with TANF CM Regional Coordinator to determine level of service
• Refers clients to appropriate community services based on identified barriers to employment and other family needs
• Works with the Regional Coordinator to assess needs for any emergency situations, e.g. domestic violence, child abuse, or acute behavioral health needs
• Advocates for clients to maintain or re-establish state benefits and for clients to access needed services
• Communicates regularly with the DSS/DOL case worker, and provides them periodic updates and closing status reports as appropriate
• Accurately documents case work daily utilizing Efforts to Outcomes (ETO)
• Performs other reasonable duties as requested by TANF CM Regional Coordinator and/or TANF CM Agency Supervisor

PRODUCTIVITY REQUIREMENTS

• Follows all TANF CM policies and procedures
• Uses a client-centered, strength-based approach to case management services
• Provides culturally and linguistically appropriate case management services to families
• Represents TANF CM program professionally within the program and in the community
• Maintains a positive and respectful work attitude
• Communicates proactively with TANF CM Regional Coordinator and other regional CMs
• Utilizes the Efforts to Outcomes (ETO) web-based data management system to document all case work in TANF CM program
• Actively participates as a member of the regional TANF CM team
• Commits to professional growth and development
• Possesses a valid driver’ license and has access to a personal vehicle for regional and statewide travel

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS/SKILLS:

• Thorough knowledge of TFA/TANF eligibility criteria and services
• Significant knowledge of regional community-based services for low and no income families
• Demonstrated ability to work with culturally and linguistically diverse families
• Demonstrated ability in client-centered, home-based case management services
• Demonstrated ability in teaching basic life and employability skills to adults
• Demonstrated ability in creating and implementing individualized service plans
• Ability to work well independently
• Ability to maintain a flexible schedule, to include non-traditional hours (nights/weekends)
• Dedicated to promoting cultural wellness on the job
• Demonstrated basic computer literacy, ability to work in a Windows environment, and utilization of mobile devices
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team approach

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Licensed within respective area of study and certification to provide graduate-level supervision to interns.