Independent Living & Foster Care Case Manager

ChildNet, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit community-based care (CBC) agency servicing Broward and Palm Beach County. We are contracted with the State of Florida, Department of Children and Families, to provide case management support to abused, abandoned, and neglected children. ChildNet is nationally accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA) and employs over 600 staff at its location in Ft Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, Florida.

Job Summary : This position provides comprehensive case management services to youth in the Independent Living Program. Consults with foster parents/caregivers and service provider staff on and about issues, problems, services, policies, and procedures to achieve the goal of Independent Living (IL) for child(ren) 13 to 21 years of age.

The items listed below are intended to provide an overview of the essential functions of the job. This is not an exhaustive list of all functions and responsibilities that the position may be required to provide.

• Manages the case of a dependent child ensuring that they receive all of the necessary services detailed in the case plan and facilitating permanency safely for the child.
• Continuously explore permanency options for the youth regardless of the youth's age.
• Maintaining proficiency in new and pending laws concerning children receiving/eligible for Independent Living Services.
• Attend Independent Living Transition and Education Plan staffing's for all children in licensed care ages 17 and 17.5 years old.
• Transport and/or coordinate transportation for youth to attend Independent Living Transition and Education Plan Staffing's.
• Facilitate/Incorporate the results of the thirteen, fifteen- and seventeen-years old youths IL Assessment into their IL transition plans. Updates the IL services into the case plans, as needed.
• Reviewing information system, case file and complete the staffing form prior to staffing; completes the required packets with the teen, schedules and attends independent living staffing's; provides the teen(s) and educational institute with the recommendations from the staffing.
• Performing monthly home visits/face-to-face contact for youth and young adult according to guidelines provided in the Florida Administrative Code and Statutes.
• Ensure that youth(s) obtain assistance in obtaining a Florida ID card, opening a bank account and exploring housing needs.
• Ensure youth ages 16 and 17 years old receive a copy of their credit check from all three credit bureaus. Document review of the credit check with the youth in FSFN.
• Assist youth with their transition by providing ongoing follow up and discussion as to their progress .in areas including but not limited to money management, obtaining employment, educational goals, positive relationships, extracurricular activities, participation in driver's education and other programs; Acting as the liaison between the teen(s) and the foster parent(s)/caregiver(s) and provides support needed to maintain the placement.
• Tracking each youth's progress under Independent Living using the appropriate automated software system.
• Identifying services in the community that will provide training and assistance to the foster teen(s) and young adults, i.e., Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies, Life Coach Services.
• Recognizing, respecting and responding to the unique, culturally defined needs of others served.

Skills/ Requirements

Years of Experience:

• Two (2) of experience in Child Case Management

Education/Licenses/Certifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Social Work or related field
• Certified Child Welfare Professional
• Valid Florida Driver's License

Abilities Required:

• Ability to make complex decisions and balance the needs of stakeholders involved
• Ability to be sensitive to the service population's cultural and socioeconomic characteristics
• Ability to manage execution and direct the work of others towards task completion
• Ability to provide high customer satisfaction with positive service delivery results

Important Notes:

ChildNet is committed to equal employment opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, sex, age, religion, color, disability, national origin or ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information, marital status, veterans status or military service obligation, medical condition, sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression and any other status protected by applicable law. Including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and CFOP 60-10, Chapter 4. ChildNet is also a Drug-Free Workplace (DFWP).