ICW Case Manager

Job Description

Job Description

OVERVIEW:  The Indian Child Welfare (ICW) Caseworker has the primary responsibility of assisting in the provision of Child Welfare services within the Lower Elwha Klallam community in accordance with the LEKT Tribal Laws, Indian Child Welfare Act, other federal laws, state laws. This position performs advanced social work related to child protective services, including but limited to the following: promoting safety and wellbeing of children and families, home visits/inspections, foster care/relative placements and relative searches and ongoing case management. Assesses complex family situations, develops safety plans to protect children either in their home or in out of home care, and ensuring the children in out of home placement are safe. This position interacts routinely with Tribal, County and State social workers, judicial representatives, law enforcement and community. Other duties as assigned. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF JOB:

• Provides direct services and case management for Social Services programs, exercising considerable independence of judgment in the application of social work skills using a variety of intervention and service techniques and skills.

• Assesses client needs and eligibility and provides or makes referrals for services as appropriate based on a thorough knowledge of available programs and services.

• Maintains a minimum of monthly in person visits/home visits with youth and high-risk clients, and at least quarterly contact with all others.

• Completes required trainings, prepares reports, and attends required meetings as directed by supervisor; assists in preparation and implementation of community outreach and awareness materials and activities.

• Develops and maintains organized and audit-ready client files including case records, plans, progress, case notes, and reports; compiles data for statistical purposes and required reporting;

• Fully investigate reports of abuse/neglect to children to assess current or future risk to children.

• Ensures state social service workers are adhering to Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) requirements and all efforts intended to maintain or reunite a child with his/her family.

• Coordinates with Enrollment Department to determine eligibility of child (ren) for the purposes of ICWA; documents eligibility decision in all files.

Works closely with LEKT Legal Department on all case related information for legal ICWA cases Provides updates to legal department on states compliance with ICWA prior to all court cases.

• Conduct relative searches to identify family resources when there is a need for out-of-home placement.

• Works cooperatively and maintains effective working relationships between ICW staff and law enforcement officials, judicial officials, legal resources, medical professionals, Department of Social and Health services staff and other community resources.

• Prepare required legal documents and participate in all court hearing and pertinent case staffing/meetings involving LEKT children.

• Offer voluntary prevention services to the families. 

• Conduct background checks and home visits/inspections as needed/requested by program staff.

• Supervise and collect urine analysis from clients as needed.

• Maintain strict department security, confidentiality, and quality to meet professional standards of the department

• Attend training as needed, including out of town trainings for a period of 1 to 14 days

• Ability to work outside of “normal” business hours in order to respond to emergencies 

• The duties and responsibilities described above do not constitute an all-inclusive list but rather a general representation of the duties and responsibilities associated with this position. The duties and responsibilities will be subject to change based on organizational needs and/or deemed necessary by the supervisor.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associates of Arts degree and 3 years of direct case management experience.1 year with direct ICW experience, or working with the Native American population.

• Knowledge of child welfare practices and related tribal, federal and state laws, regulations and requirements.

• Knowledge of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe community, history and culture.

• Competent working knowledge of the Indian Child Welfare Act. 

• Knowledge of abuse and neglect interviewing and investigation skills.

• Ability to assess risk of child abuse and neglect using risk assessment models.

• Ability to assess the need for out-of-home placement; prepare and counsel adults and children regarding the need for placement, separation of family members and loss trauma, and the steps for reunification. 

• Knowledge of assessment skills for determining needs and resources.

• Knowledge of tribal, county and state child protective service processes and protocols related to abuse and neglect investigation and prosecution (including law enforcement roles and responsibilities).

• Knowledge of child development.

• Knowledge in the areas of mental health issues, domestic violence, sexual violence, trauma and safety planning

• Skills in operating various word-processing, spreadsheets, and database software programs in a Windows environment.

• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing. 

• Ability to develop and maintain professional relationships with a variety of individuals and groups with diverse cultural, ethnocentric and social lifestyles in a confidential and non-judgmental manner.

• Skills in organizational management. This position requires that the individual have the ability to plan, organize and schedule priorities efficiently and effectively, meet strict deadlines and successfully cope with challenging situations and conditions.

• Must adhere to strict confidentiality in all matters.

• Must be willing and able to obtain additional education and training.

• Must pass a pre-employment drug screening and consent to random urine analysis throughout employment. Must adhere to the Tribe’s drug and alcohol free workplace policy during the course of employment.

• Must pass a background security check in order to meet the employment eligibility requirements.

• Must pass a Child Protection Services Background Check.

• Must have a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation and insurance.

• Must have a High-School Diploma or GED.

ADDITIONAL PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Child Welfare, Psychology or related field.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Capable of lifting 25 pounds or less.

• Capable of bending, kneeling, stretching, sitting for long period of time.

• Able to utilize visual acuity for extended time on computer.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to travel for meetings, training, workshops when necessary, which may include out of state travel.

• Attend training and education as it becomes available. 

As with all positions of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe this position is Indian Preference in hiring, in Accordance with P.L. 93-638