Kinship Case Manager - Child Welfare

Job Description

Job Description

Do you enjoy helping others? Would you like a career that provides you an opportunity to help families and to make a difference in the lives of children? Join us in creating a brighter future for children and their families.

At Kids Central we believe every child deserves to grow up in a safe and loving home that provides a path to a bright future. However sometimes children, and their families, need additional support to ensure their safety and well-being. That is where we step in.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Kinship Case Manager acts as primary case manager for non-dependency kinship cases and secondary case manager for any case involving dependency. This position provides case management services to relative caregivers and relative children by assisting the family with needed services and stability to care for the children long-term. The Kinship Case Manager will conduct home visits, see children on their case load on a monthly basis, conduct an assessment with the kinship family to determine and coordinate appropriate services, develop a service based on the caregivers needs, complete timely referrals to appropriate services, follow up with the family regarding services provided, and coordinates and conducts weekly support groups. The Kinship Care Program covers all 5 counties within Circuit 5, which may require this position to work in multiple counties.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Maintain designated case files which includes referral form, Florida Safe Families Network (FSFN) reports; case documentation, service referrals, kinship assessment, kinship service plan and legal paperwork.
• Conduct home visits to evaluate the safety, permanency and well-being of the children in the home.
• See children monthly to assess their safety and wellbeing.
• Complete legal staffing packets and conduct legal staffing with staff attorneys and kinship families as deemed appropriate.
• Complete requests for funding to assist families as needed.
• Discuss the service plan with the family on an ongoing basis
• Link and complete referrals for services in the community.
• Effectively track children and families to ensure desired outcomes and objectives are met.
• Document all work on cases within 48 business hours in designated data system.
• Provide case specific consultation to relative caregivers and children as needed.
• Facilitate an 8 to10- w e e k support group/training to relative caregivers at a time and location convenient for the caregivers being served.
• Identify and solicit childcare workers for kinship support groups, ensures required information is obtained and submits the required information to the Kinship Supervisor in a timely manner for processing.
• Complete monthly reporting and projects in a timely manner.
• Serve as liaison for KCI with case management agencies, community service providers and relative caregivers regarding support and services needed and available.
• Participate in local April Child Abuse Prevention Month activities.
• Contribute to the development of Kids Central's strategic goals and objectives as well as the overall management of the organization.
• Maintain continuous lines of communication, keeping Supervisor and Director informed of all critical issues, completing incident reports in a timely manner as needed.
• Attend community events and speak publicly regarding Kids Central programs as approved by the supervisor and/or director.
• Complete and submit mileage to supervisor for approval monthly.
• Maintain a positive working relationship with customers, residents, co-workers and vendors, returning all phone calls and emails within 24 hours.
• Effectively facilitate meetings at all levels.
• Manage special projects assigned by Kinship Supervisor or Director.
• Identify, educate, develop, and maintain relationships with community partners to benefit and support families in their community.
• Assist with identifying services needed in the community to impact the safety, permanency, and well-being of children in the community.
• Work with community partners on sustainability planning and new resource development.
• Act as a liaison between Kids Central and the community by gathering and relaying community specific needs.

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

• Participates in regional and local advisory meetings, or speaking engagements as requested
• Other duties as assigned

This list of functions is not intended to be exhaustive. Kids Central reserves the right to revise this job description as needed to comply with actual job requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education/Experience

A minimum of a bachelor’s degree from accredited institution and 3 years related experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Licensure/Certifications

Child Protective Professional Certification preferred Valid Florida driver's license

• Other Requirements

Must successfully clear Level II Background Screen

Must meet eligibility requirements to transport clients, including 100,000/300,000 Liability Insurance, possess an acceptable driving record, and have reliable transportation

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Ability to meet Organizational Core Competency standards
• Knowledge of child welfare system
• Excellent knowledge of community resources
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills (verbal and written)
• Ability to solve problems and make decisions
• Effective computer skills (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint)
• Ability to work nights and weekends as needed

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is generally in an office environment but may also be required to visit other settings such as a client’s home or public setting, or other agencies. The noise level is usually moderate.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and to reach with hands and arms. The employee must also frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. The employee is regularly required to bend/stoop and kneel. Repetitive motion is also required. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE:

Our mission is, “Protecting Children, Supporting Families, and Engaging Communities”. Kids Central, Inc. is the lead Community Based Care agency for child welfare in Circuit 5, which encompasses Marion, Lake, Hernando, Sumter, and Citrus Counties. We maintain a system of care for children and families that have experienced or are at-risk of experiencing child abuse or neglect. Kids Central, Inc. does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, disability, or veteran status as those terms are defined under applicable law. Kids Central is a Drug-Free Workplace, Equal Employment Opportunity and E-Verify Employer.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

Kids Central, Inc. provides a comprehensive compensation package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) with company match, and a generous paid time off allotment.

Employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V