Lead Dependency Case Manager

Children's Home Society of Florida

Since opening our doors in 1902, CHS became a part of Florida's history.

CHS has been committed to growing and evolving to provide the right services and solutions to address the needs of children and families throughout the changing times. Every day, our team works with parents and kids to empower them and encourage them. With innovative technology solutions and a dedicated, experienced team throughout the state, we’re changing the face of foster care and positively impacting children and families’ lives for generations to come.

Join our team to continue to do good and create history serving Florida's children and families!

The Lead Dependency Case Manager develops, expands, accesses, and links resources in the community to children and their families, providing continuity of care with the goal of permanency. The Lead DCM also serves as team leader and provides guidance to assigned team members in the delivery of case management services. Overall, the Lead DCM contributes to the CHS high performance culture by exhibiting our values and providing quality results that position CHS as the leader in delivering proactive behavioral health, case management, community and early childhood solutions for children and families.

Please watch the day in the life "Get Real: Life as a Case Manager" video linked here in its entirety (required for application purposes) to see if this is the best fit for you!

WHY JOIN CHS?

• Uplifting mission-driven work culture
• Make an impact in your community and become a part of Florida's history!
• Growth and professional development opportunities
• Great benefits package, including generous paid time off and holidays

To learn more about our Targeted Case Management Services you could be a part of, please click here!

Primary Job Functions

1. Develop, expand, access, and link resources in the community to children while serving as a team leader for other DCMs.

• Conduct child safety assessments and assess client needs to develop service plans and Department of Children and Families (DCF) Case Plans.
• Coordinate delivery of services and plan referrals/linkages to clients and families.
• Monitor service plan progress and evaluate reports from multiple service providers.
• Develop and maintain case and program documentation according to contract and CHS standards (assessments, treatment/service plans, progress notes, termination summaries, etc.)
• Review the accuracy and completeness of reports of assigned team members.
• Prepare case/status reports, make recommendations, and testify at courts or other prescribed bodies regarding reunification, termination of parental rights or other permanency plans.
• Conducts diligent searches as required by dependency laws.
• Coordinate services with other professionals and para-professionals.
• Conduct community outreach as needed.
• Provide specialized services including detainment, interstate compact, post placement supervision, relative/non-relative caregiver home studies, court testimony, termination of parental rights and judicial review staffing.
• Support children, caregivers, and family members to secure stable placement and timely achievement of permanency.
• Assist family/caregivers in accessing subsidy, medical coverage and other needed services for children.
• Coordinate cases with supervisor, team members, providers, DCF and attorneys as needed.
• Facilitate placement and independent living.
• Provide guidance and informal mentoring/coaching to assigned team members including advising on statutory mandates, agency policy and procedure, and programmatic requirements.
• Discuss case issues and provide guidance to help team members develop and make sound case decisions.
• Model and teach good case management practices.
• Schedule and conduct informal supervision sessions with assigned team members.
• Utilize tracking forms, court dockets, reunification staffing schedules, permanency staffing schedule and other information provided to ensure team members proactively complete required case activities.
• Assist with training and procedural changes.
• Serve as acting supervisor in the absence of the supervisor.
• May remove and place children, facilitate mediation staffing for reunification, TPR and detainment.
• Arrange or provide transportation, drug/alcohol screens, and on-call support as required or scheduled.

2. Contribute to a positive, engaging work environment.

• Develop a strong knowledge base and stay current on job-related issues and trends.
• Participate actively in departmental meetings, training and education, as well as the quality process.
• Comply with CHS’s code of conduct, policies, procedures and other obligations.
• Assist with training other team members and providing back up when necessary.
• Pick up projects on the fly; perform other duties as assigned from time to time.
• Demonstrate the CHS Common Bond values in the performance of all job duties.

Job Qualifications

Education, Licenses & Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Services related field from an accredited university, required.
• Florida Child Welfare Case Management certification, required.
• Florida Driver’s License within 30 days from hire required, with daily access to a reliable and insured vehicle.

Experience:

• Two years of experience in the delivery of services in a dependency environment, required.

Competencies

Knowledge of:

• CASE MANAGEMENT | COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Skills and Proficiency in:

• Planning, project management, organization and time management
• Oral and written communication, including presentation and platform
• Interpersonal relationship building, collaboration and teamwork
• Computer systems and MS Office, including Word, Excel and Outlook

Ability to:

• Perform at a high level of autonomy, with general supervision.
• Perform under strong demands in fast-paced, diverse, sometimes ambiguous environments.
• Commit to providing high customer satisfaction with positive service delivery results.
• Meet critical deadlines, while maintaining attention to detail, accuracy and quality.
• Handle highly stressful, sensitive situations; maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Demonstrate the behaviors of our CHS Common Bond Values.
• Be energetic, passionate and adaptable with a deep commitment to social service, empathy for children and families and a positive approach to embracing and managing change.
• Act decisively when necessary to protect client.
• Remain aware of social, economic, cultural and environmental factors in the resolution of family and personal problems

Together, good can be done.