Foster Homes Case Manager

POSITION SUMMARY: The Foster Homes Case Manager provides clinical and technical support to Foster/Adopt parents through intensive case management services, crisis management, home visits, weekly contact, monitoring standards compliance, documentation, ongoing training and advocacy. The job requires sensitivity to the service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist in developing and implementing the recruitment process for foster parents in ACH’s new Foster Care program.
• Organize and attend events to recruit and develop new foster homes.
• Attend/Conduct training and meetings as required by ACH.
• Provide case management services to children and families.
• Provide consultation for foster parents, adoptive parents, biological parents, and respite providers
• Maintain timely and accurate case notes, treatment plans, progress notes and other documentation according to licensing and agency standards.
• Facilitate placement of children in foster and adoptive homes.
• Attend and participate in planning conferences, school meetings, and court hearings as appropriate on children in foster/adopt homes.
• Takes a leading role in providing and facilitating crisis intervention as needed to prevent escalation of high-risk behaviors and placement disruption.
• Participates in staff meetings that include treatment of youth, training of staff and other administrative planning. Participate in an on-call rotation related to providing crisis intervention for staff related to youth and the homes.
• Maintain regular contact with family and child to monitor psychological, mental, emotional, and physical well-being through home visits and phone contact.
• Creates goal-oriented assessments, service plans and progress reports for ACH youth in accordance with DFPS minimum standards, St. Francis contract requirements, accreditation standards, ACH protocols and all required outcome measures. For each youth, this includes:
• Complete an Initial Plan of Service (30 days)
• Complete a Plan of Service Review (POSR) 90 days from the Initial Plan
• Complete Plans of Service every 3 months after each POSR.
• Complete Discharge Plans or transfer summaries upon youth discharge.
• Assist in facilitating foster parent support groups, in-service training, and pre-service training.
• Evaluate the youth’s progress towards their goals, which include behavioral, educational, health/wellness and life skills goals.
• Be the point of contact for caseworkers, probation officers, private placement parents and St. Francis case managers.
• Ensure youth have annual and bi-annual medical, psychiatric, therapeutic, and similar appointments and ensure any needed follow up appointments are scheduled and attended.
• Ensure all medical, dental, vision, psychiatric and therapy appointments are properly documented.
• Be thoroughly familiar with and follow all applicable standards and guidelines, especially Department of Family and Protective Services Licensing Minimum Standards, The Children’s Home’s state contract, and all policies and procedures of The Children’s Home.
• Complete the necessary licensing, assessment, and support processes to ensure families meet licensing Standards and are fully prepared to care for children.
• Other duties as assigned.

GENERAL DUTIES AND EXPECTATIONS:

· Adhere to all approved policies and procedures to ensure the safety of youth and staff.

· Adhere to all confidential policies and procedures related to ACH and youth.

· Have a working understanding of trauma and resulting psychological issues.

· Provide crisis and on-call staffing as scheduled and/or required.

· Participate in agency training and ongoing professional development as required.

· Attend weekly staffing and meetings and follow up with identified needs.

· Attend administrative staff meetings, staff retreats, and other team building activities.

· Demonstrate proficiency in knowledge of CPR/First Aid, Emergency Behavior Intervention, and child abuse reporting policies and procedures.

· Demonstrate proficiency in knowledge of DFPS Minimum Standards and Accreditation standards.

· Ensure the timely reporting and documentation of serious incidents in compliance with TDFPS Minimum Standards.

· Adapt to changing workloads to include work in the evenings, weekends and holidays as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Regarding educational and work experience, must meet one of the following options in accordance with Texas DFPS Minimum Standards for licensed residential child-care facilities, and must meet any updated guidelines for the position:

· Option 1

o A master’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university; or a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in social work or other human services field, AND

o One year of documented full-time work experience in a residential child-care operation, or related field of child and family services.

· Option 2

o A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, AND

o Two years of documented full-time work experience in a residential child-care operation, or related field of child and family services.

In addition, must have the following qualifications:

· Skill in planning, organization, and time management.

· Proficient written communication skills.

· Ability to quickly master using database programs

· Must be willing to support the “ACH Statement of Faith,” a copy of which can be found on the ACH website at https://amarillochildrenshome.org/mission and is also available from ACH administrative staff on request

· Must have no disqualifying criminal history; must be willing to submit to a thorough criminal and background check that includes submitting to an FBI fingerprint check.

· Must submit to and pass a drug test

· Must submit to a tb test and be free from active tuberculosis

· Must be of a moral character and a child advocate.

· Proof of valid Texas Driver’s License and at least three years of driving experience.

· Access to reliable transportation.

· Proof of valid/current auto insurance.

· Cleared motor vehicle driving record.

· Working cellular telephone.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

· Sedentary to very active work including bending, lifting up to 50 pounds, grasping, fine hand coordination, pushing and pulling.

· Ability to perform CPR on a child or adult if necessary.

· Ability to communicate effectively with youth, staff, families, caseworkers, probation officers, medical personnel, support agencies, vendors, community members, donors, board members and other professionals.

· Ability to drive and transport youth if necessary.

· Sufficient vision to supervise and respond to youth in a crisis; sufficient hearing and ability to waken and respond to cell phone or similar device while on call.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $45,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Referral program
• Relocation assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• On call
• Weekends as needed

Work Location: In person

Salary : $45,000