Child Welfare Case Manager Trainee

About the role

To identify and assess child and family needs and evaluate, coordinate and ensure necessary services are provided; provide in-home services to clients; assist and counsel individuals and families by using such activities as delineating alternatives, helping to articulate goals and providing needed information.

Responsibilities

• Provide case management services (information, plan referrals and linkages).
• Develop and maintain case records and service documentation according to contract and Community Partnership for Children standards (family assessments, case plans, chrons, JRSSR’s, etc.).
• Consistently document case activities in FSFN within 24 hours of the event.
• Complete all required court reports and submit within established deadlines.
• Testify in court as necessary.
• Monitor quality of care by conducting face-to-face home/residential visits of the child every 30 days.
• Coordinate services with other professionals and paraprofessionals.
• Conduct community outreach as needed.
• Provide and/or arrange for transportation of clients to appointments, community agencies, etc., as needed.
• Conduct monthly face-to-face visits with parents of children in Out of Home Care (OHC) to discuss case plan progress.
• Provide and/or refer families to services, understand and use information from service providers, psychological reports and psychosocial evaluations.
• Conduct child safety assessments.
• Serve as on-call case manager after hours as assigned and determine and respond to immediate risk and needs of child.
• Arrange for emergency placement for children at risk.
• Explain rights and responsibilities to children and family members.
• Provide/coordinate support to foster homes and relative/non-relative placements.
• Provide post placement planning and services.
• Participate in the quality improvement process.

Requirements

• Excellent assessment skills and intervention strategies.
• Ability to identify environmental stressors.
• Ability to observe and report accurately on the functioning of individuals and families.
• Ability to handle confidential information appropriately.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Knowledge and respect of socio-cultural characteristics of service population.
• Ability to make home visits and to travel.
• Ability to set appropriate limits and boundaries with clients.
• Knowledge of community resources.
• Ability to work flexible hours as required.
• Knowledge of professional ethics relating to child protection and counseling.
• Skill in employing family-centered practice.
• Ability to use and proficiency in computer software applications.
• Ability to act decisively when necessary to protect clients.
• Complete and submit the Child Welfare Provisional Certification Application Form and documentation of required experience along with payment to the Florida Certification Board.
• Obtain a passing score on the written competency exam.
• Complete required hours of direct child welfare services and individual and/or group supervision.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university or Associate degree from an accredited college or university and 2 years relevant experience in child welfare.
• Possess a current Background Clearance Screening Letter as required by DCF; and successfully complete the background screening requirements for Community Partnership for Children.
• If local travel is required, a valid Florida driver’s license and documentation of current automobile insurance, with $100,000/$300,000 bodily injury liability limit, is required.

Pay

$47,500

Schedule

Full time

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Work in an office/clerical environment.
• Predominantly seated with recurrent need to walk, stand, and bend from the waist.
• Occasional light lifting, stooping, and climbing may be required.
• Occasional local travel.