Foster Care Caseworker

NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITY SERVICES OF ERIE & NIAGARA COUNTIES, INC.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Date: March 14, 2025

Position: Foster Care Caseworker
Type: FT (40 hours), Hourly, Non-exempt

Main Office: Buffalo - travel required

Servicing: Erie & Niagara Counties

Summary
This position works in conjunction with Local County Department of Social Services (LCDSS) and is responsible for protecting the health, safety, and well-being of the children on their caseload and provides support to foster parent(s) through case management services, crisis management, home visits, weekly contact, monitoring of service compliance, documentation, ongoing training, and advocacy. The main objective for this position is to effectively work towards reunification, achieving permanency for children while actively assessing the needs of the child, foster parents, and coordinating interventions when necessary. Incumbent will be responsible for day-to-day casework duties ensuring the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) of 1978 is followed when placement of Native American children into foster care is indicated. All efforts will be performed with the understanding of and in accordance with Good Mind principles, while also adhering to the principles of Trauma Informed Care (TIC).

Duties / Tasks (not necessarily all inclusive)

• Provides all aspects and elements of casework services to an assigned caseload. Conducts casework contacts with families, as needed but at least twice a month, face-to-face in their homes and community settings to focus on goals.
• Assists in the National Training & Development Curriculum (NTDC) classes.
• Responsible for case planning with children in foster care and their families to achieve a positive and safe permanency plan.
• Participates in the compliance and implementation of ICWA as well as new/current social service laws and regulations.
• Assists all foster parents in attaining training requirements specific to foster care certification.
• Must enter and maintain required child welfare information including but not limited to person and family information, periodic family assessment and service plans, plan amendments, and progress notes in CONNECTIONS.
• Makes detailed and completes case studies, recommending and defining short and long-term social needs and goals of children and families.
• Participates in DSS permanency planning, court hearings, and school related meetings for the child(ren).
• Maintains regular and consistent contact with all appropriate members of the 29-I (VFCA) license team, providing current information and responding to requests as needed.
• Responsible for facilitating visitations including providing safe and reliable transportation when needed.
• Must consistently remain vigilant and proactive in assessing safety and risk concerns at all times.
• Maintains necessary documentation and ensures the timely completion of all necessary recordkeeping.

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATION, AND SKILLS:

• Bachelor's degree in a human services field or related field of study.
• Knowledge of ICWA, Adoption Safe Family Act, Federal and State regulations, as well as mandated reporting requirements.
• Effective problem solving, organization, time management, and communication skills.
• Intermediate computer skills and understanding of office applications including MS Office Suite.
• Familiarity with and sensitivity toward local Native American communities.
• Must be flexible to evening and weekend hours as needed.
• Must pass all background checks and pre-hire requirements including a clean and valid NYS driver's license and carry minimum auto liability coverage of $100k/$300k.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $21.00 - $23.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 403(b)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Evenings as needed
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

License/Certification:

• NYS Driver's License (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Buffalo, NY 14207

Salary : $21 - $23