Case Manager

JOB OVERVIEW

Make a meaningful difference in the lives of youth and families.

Foster First is seeking a compassionate, dependable, and organized part-time Case Manager to join our Yakima foster care program, with the opportunity to transition into a full-time, benefited position based on program and caseload needs. This position is ideal for someone who is passionate about child welfare, enjoys building meaningful relationships, and wants to help youth and foster families achieve greater safety, stability, and long-term success.

The Case Manager provides direct, individualized support to children in foster care and their foster and adoptive families. In this role, you will coordinate services, advocate for youth and caregivers, collaborate with DCYF and community partners, maintain case documentation, and help ensure each youth receives services that support their individual needs and plan of care.

Case Managers work closely with youth, foster parents, Foster First team members, DCYF staff, and other professionals involved in each child's care. Caseloads may vary based on program and service needs.

This is a part-time position of up to 25 hours per week with a flexible schedule that includes a combination of office, home, and community-based work. Because the needs of youth and families do not always occur during traditional business hours, some evening and weekend availability is required.

If you are looking for more than just a job-and want an opportunity to advocate for youth, support foster families, and make a meaningful difference in your community-we encourage you to apply.

WHAT WE OFFER

• 401(k) plan with a 50% employer matching contribution
• Flexible work schedule
• Opportunities to work from home periodically, with supervisor approval and based on program and caseload needs
• $50 monthly phone stipend
• Mileage reimbursement for approved work-related travel
• $100 weekend stipend when scheduled for After-Hours & Crisis Response coverage
• Ongoing training and professional development
• Meaningful work supporting youth and families in our community

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

As a Case Manager, you will:

• Provide individualized case management, supervision, and support to youth in foster care and their caregivers.
• Maintain regular and meaningful contact with children, foster parents, and foster-adoptive families.
• Participate as an active member of each child's care team and support services identified in the youth's plan of care.
• Advocate for the needs, safety, well-being, permanency, and stability of youth and families.
• Coordinate services and communicate regularly with DCYF, placing agencies, community providers, and other professionals.
• Provide weekly case time to children and youth as needed when assigned Youth Partners (Case Aides) are unavailable.
• Participate in court hearings, Family Team Decision Making meetings, permanency planning conferences, and other case-related meetings.
• Review and maintain case files, treatment plans, service documentation, and discharge summaries.
• Ensure case documentation is timely, accurate, professional, and compliant with agency, contract, and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor case progress and identify concerns, barriers, and changing needs.
• Collaborate with Youth Partners and other case-management team members to coordinate services and delegate appropriate case-related activities.
• Participate in weekly case consultations and supervisory meetings.
• Build positive and collaborative relationships with youth, caregivers, coworkers, and community partners.
• Maintain confidentiality and protect client information in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and Foster First policies.
• Participate in required staff meetings, training, and ongoing professional development.
• Serve in the After-Hours & Crisis Response rotation, including occasional evenings and weekends.
• Perform special projects and other duties as assigned.

SCHEDULE & FLEXIBILITY

This is a part-time position working up to 25 hours per week.

Case management is not always a traditional 9-to-5 role. The schedule offers flexibility but must remain responsive to program, caseload, youth, and family needs.

Case Managers may be required to:

• Conduct home and community visits during evenings or other times that work for youth and families.
• Attend court hearings, meetings, appointments, and other case-related activities.
• Participate in the After-Hours & Crisis Response rotation, including scheduled evening and weekend coverage.
• Travel to client homes and other locations throughout the program's service area.

There may also be opportunities to work from home periodically, depending on program and caseload needs. Remote work must be arranged and approved in advance by the employee's supervisor.

Case Managers scheduled for weekend After-Hours & Crisis Response coverage receive a $100 weekend stipend in addition to compensation for eligible hours worked.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates must have:

• A bachelor's or master's degree in social services or a closely related field.
• An understanding of child welfare, family systems, and family-centered services.
• The ability to establish effective relationships with youth and families from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong organization, time-management, and prioritization skills.
• Critical-thinking, assessment, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• The ability to remain professional and make sound decisions in stressful or high-pressure situations.
• Initiative, flexibility, and the ability to work independently.
• The ability to collaborate effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Familiarity with community resources and the ability to connect youth and families with appropriate services.
• Fluency in spoken and written English.

Candidates with a bachelor's degree will receive required consultation from a master's-level professional in accordance with applicable program requirements.

LICENSES & EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

Candidates must:

• Hold a valid Washington State driver's license.
• Have reliable transportation.
• Maintain current auto insurance and an acceptable driving record.
• Successfully pass a DCYF background check.
• Complete the required TB testing.
• Obtain and maintain required CPR, First Aid, and Bloodborne Pathogens (BBP) certification for infants, youth, and adults.
• Complete agency-required trainings, including CFARs, Mandated Reporter, and Right Response.
• Complete 30 hours of ongoing training annually.
• Maintain a personal cell phone for work-related communication; a monthly stipend is provided.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• A trauma-informed and culturally responsive approach when working with youth and families.
• Strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills.
• Professional and effective written and verbal communication.
• Strong documentation and case-management skills.
• Sound judgment and the ability to assess situations and respond appropriately.
• Effective meeting facilitation and planning skills.
• The ability to organize competing responsibilities and meet deadlines.
• Flexibility and adaptability when priorities or client needs change.
• The ability to work independently while remaining connected and accountable to the team.
• Professionalism, integrity, and a commitment to serving youth and families.
• The ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with DCYF, caregivers, service providers, and community partners.

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Case Managers work in a variety of settings, including Foster First offices, foster homes, community locations, courtrooms, and other locations based on youth and family needs.

This position may require:

• Travel throughout the program's service area.
• Evening and weekend work.
• Responding to crisis situations.
• Participation in the After-Hours & Crisis Response rotation.
• Standing, walking, bending, lifting, and other physical activity associated with working directly with youth.
• The ability to safely perform required physical intervention techniques when necessary and appropriately trained.

ABOUT FOSTER FIRST

Foster First is a nonprofit Child Placing Agency that provides foster care services and Behavior Rehabilitation Services (BRS), offering intensive, wraparound support for children and families.

Founded in 2003 as Community Resource Group, we began serving families in Yakima and Wenatchee. In 2019, we became Foster First, continuing our commitment to strengthening families and supporting youth across Washington.

Today, Foster First serves communities throughout Central and Eastern Washington, working alongside foster families, DCYF, community partners, and other professionals to help youth achieve greater safety, stability, and success.

Our mission is simple but powerful: "Empowering youth and families for life-long success."

We believe every child deserves stability, meaningful relationships, opportunities to grow, and the tools needed to build a successful future.

JOIN OUR TEAM

If you are passionate about helping youth and families, value meaningful relationship-based work, and want to be part of a team committed to making a difference, we encourage you to apply and become part of the Foster First team.

Foster First is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, creed, religion, age, marital or nursing mother status, pregnancy, national origin, citizenship, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.