CWS Case Manager - Foster Care

Job Responsibilities

Do you have a passion to provide meaningful work in the community? Would you like to be part of an organization whose central mission is helping to protect, stabilize and strengthen the lives of children, families, and vulnerable adults? Then the South Carolina Department of Social Services has the right job opportunity for you. Job Duties:

• The CWS Case Manager - Foster Care performs case management and concurrent planning in the Child Welfare area of Foster Care in accordance with DSS Policy, Mission and GPS Practice Model. Collaborates with Child and Family Teams to develop individualized and strength based family permanency plans, and achieve desired permanency goals. Utilizes critical thinking skills to monitor safety, permanency and well-being. Performs on-call duties as assigned.
• Performs case management (ie, contacts, case planning) to a caseload of families to ensure safety, permanency and well-being.
• Completes, reviews and updates the Family Advocacy and Support Tool (FAST) according to time frames established by DSS Policy. Utilizes the Family Advocacy and Support Tool (FAST) to collaboratively develop Family Permanency Plans and make timely service referrals.
• Authentically engages families, other professionals within the agency, and external partners with empathy and respect; to include timely responses to telephone calls, emails, and texts. Makes concerted efforts to locate and engage absent parents, relatives and fictive kin to support and join the child and family team. Participates in and facilitates child and family team meetings.
• Maintains physical and electronic case record by composing clear, objective, and thorough documentation covering pertinent details of case activities per DSS policy and the GPS Practice Model. Ensures all case management activities are documented in CAPSS system according to time frames established by DSS policy. Ensures documentation meets quality standards and captures necessary elements pertinent to safety, permanency, well-being and case planning.
• Collaborates closely with legal when safety concerns are present or when a case has been identified as needing legal action to promote timely permanency. Regularly assesses safety and permanency resources, adheres to court orders, submits court packets timely and participates in legal proceedings.
• Maintains child welfare certification. Completes 20 hours of training yearly to include certifications that are required yearly.
• Maintains an active routine of self-care and pursues support when necessary to minimize the threat of secondary trauma to physical and mental health. Understands the impact of trauma on families and secondary trauma on child welfare staff and applies principles to support families.
• Ensures that personal identifying information (PII) is properly used, accessed, gathered, shared and disposed. Protects the agency networks and applications by safeguarding systems, equipment and data.
• Performs Red Cross shelter duty or other emergency shelter duties/services as directed.
• Performs other duties required.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Behavioral Science, or Social Science. Bachelor's Degree in any other field and one (1) year experience in a related field. Master's Degree or higher in Social Work, Behavioral Science, or Social Science.

Additional Comments

This application for employment with the SC Department of Social Services must be completed in its entirety. A resume may be included; but shall not be substituted in lieu of the completion of this application in part or in whole. "See Resume" is not acceptable information for the completion of any part of the requirements of this application. If such is submitted, this employment application will be considered incomplete and may not be forwarded as eligible for consideration to hiring managers. Must possess a valid driver's license and have access to and be able to operate a motor vehicle. Individuals must comply with necessary field work assignments. If you certify, by completion and submission of this application, that you possess educational credentials that qualify you for the available DSS positions, you will be required to provide a certified official transcript, if you are selected for job offer.

The South Carolina Department of Social Services offers an exceptional benefits package that includes:

• Health, Dental, Vision, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Children
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
• 15 days sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Program

Benefits

The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies. Insurance Benefits Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses. Retirement Benefits State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options. Workplace Benefits State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more. Note: The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.