Foster Care Case Manager

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Foster Care Supervisor, Foster Care Case Managers provide, coordinate and facilitate all the services necessary to support the permanency goal for the children in care. Foster Care Case Managers assess youth and families in order to develop, coordinate and implement individualized treatment plans with youth and their families to resolve abuse and neglect difficulties and to achieve permanency for youth. They are responsible for coordinating youth's placement within foster care, school and community, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and family court and document all activities. The Foster Care Case Manager will carry a caseload, complete court reports and provide testimony in court, complete safety and needs assessments, resource acquisition, transportation and visitation and complete authorization of funds for services. REPORTS TO: Foster Care Supervisor

SUPERVISES: N/A

QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Minimum of a Bachelor level degree in Social Work or a human services field.
• Good moral character, flexibility of work schedule, available transportation and valid driver's license.
• One-year experience in direct adoption services, child welfare or related services preferred.
• Ability to prepare business letters, summaries, client notes, and reports using prescribed format and conforming to rules of punctuation, grammar and diction.
• Ability to operate with minimal direct supervision. Advanced ability to utilize assessment, problem identification, and intervention skills with individuals and families.
• Advanced ability to work within complex social systems and coordinate resources as they apply to client needs.
• Ability to deal constructively and appropriately with client apathy, hostility, resistance and anger.
• Ability to work in team relationships with other professionals from varied community groups, agencies, and disciplines.
• Ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing.
• Basic knowledge of state and local human service systems and resources, particularly as they apply to child and family services; human growth, development, and social environments with respect to child development, personality, family life, parenting, and ethnicity.
• Ability to employ social brokering, advocating, and mobilizing individuals and groups.
• Ability to utilize basic word processing and specific computer software applications (e.g. Microsoft Work, Teams, Outlook).
• Understands the impact of separation and loss on families and children.
• Possess child and family safety assessment skills.
• Successful completion of initial and on-going employment screens, including, but not limited to criminal background, sex offender, drug screen, OIG, valid Michigan driver's license, abuse and neglect and vehicle record check as required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Attend required 12-weeks of CWTI training and receive a passing grade on examination prior to receiving a full caseload. Included in CWTI training is MiSACWIS training provided by the state.
• Become proficient in utilizing MiSACWIS as a day-to-day tool to document contacts, service plans and other required documents.
• On an annual basis, complete 32 hours of ongoing applicable continuing education.
• Maintain a caseload of thirteen (13) cases.
• Input all reports in MiSACWIS by required due dates to ensure compliance with the current Modified Settlement Agreement.
• Develop, coordinate and implement concise, accurate treatment plans with youth, their families, foster families and/or other caretakers facilitating permanency, safety, and well-being.
• Provide and/or coordinate services to meet needs of youth in order to stabilize youth's placement, school placement and reinforce school success (e.g. parenting time, placement visits, visit birth parents, behavior specialist services, wraparound meetings and other case conferences) in coordination with birth/relative/foster parents.
• Coordinate required medical and dental services for all foster children and monitor the implementation of these services by the caregiver.
• Provide supervision of children in placement through home and office visits and during parenting time.
• Engage family members and encourage participation in services to overcome barriers and address needs.
• Coordinate all community and resource referrals and services to the family.
• Prepare court reports and petitions and provide testimony to support permanency, safety, and well-being of the child and family, as required by MDHHS contract, MDHHS and agency policy, and court mandates.
• Provide support to families providing out-of-home care for children.
• Provide after-care services, maintain case records, and comply with time frames for all activities as required.
• Make regular reports to the supervisor and assure established quality assurance standards are met.
• Participate in 24 hour on-call emergency interventions on a rotation to answer crisis calls and provide supportive services to foster parents and children, after hours and on holidays, as required.
• Integrate learning from required MDHHS training into day-to-day responsibilities.
• Ensure transportation is provided or arranged for parents and foster children in order to meet all goals and objectives on the treatment plan.
• Plan and participate in special events for children and caregivers.
• Complete data entry into all data management systems as required, as well as keep paper files accurate, complete, and in compliance with policy, rules, and state law.
• Adhere to the Mission, Values and Vision of CCSEM and the values and teachings of the Catholic Church.
• Will participate in any additional, reasonable responsibilities as deemed necessary by the Foster Care Supervisor.

WORK ENVIRONMENT, PHYSICAL DEMANDS & TRAVEL

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. Some filing is required and the ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bend or stand on a stool as necessary and lift a max of 20 pounds. This position requires 65% travel. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. POSITION CLASSIFICATION, TYPE & EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK: This is a full-time exempt position. Core days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. though the position requires a flexible schedule and may require evening and weekend obligations.