Social Worker - Foster Care

• Facilitates placement and respite of children into foster homes as needed in accordance with all contract/licensing requirements and in consideration of the needs of the foster child and foster family, transportation needs, childcare/supervision needs, and other needs as applicable.
• Plans, coordinates, and implements Foster Parent Training, Foster Parent Appreciation events, Foster Parent meetings, and other events as needed.
• Reports incidents to Program Manager as they occur.
• Provides support to other program staff in all TFC programs as needed by transporting youth to appointments and facilitating sibling visits.
• Provides Foster Parent Tracking information, both initial and updated, to Foster Care Advocate/Staff Assistant in a timely manner.
• Accepts cases as assigned and maintains a protected caseload when needed. Maintains cases in accordance with COA standards/Alabama Minimum Standards for Child Placing Agencies.
• Plans and leads treatment team meetings and makes decisions regarding the care and treatment of the foster child and services provided to the child’s foster family.
• Takes an active role in goal setting and coordinating treatment services provided to foster child by individuals or agencies outside of the TFC program.
• Completes Intake Assessment; Initial Treatment Plan; Treatment Plan Review; and Discharge Summary within the allowed time frame for each foster child in caseload.
• Conducts face to face home visits as needed to provide support to foster families and ensure licensing compliance.
• Provides timely follow-through for needs of foster families identified during home visits and through phone calls or other contacts.
• Works with DHR representatives and other community partners to ensure that the needs of foster children are met.
• Participates in the rotation of an on-call phone. Responds to placement requests and other urgent matters during the on-call assignment.
• Maintains Kaleidacare Database to accurately reflect foster child information required by TFC Contract, Minimum Standards, and COA Requirements.
• Maintains absolute confidentiality as situations dictate. Abides by HIPAA rules and regulations.
• Completes required annual training as specified in the DHR Child Placing Agency Minimum standards.
• Works additional hours as needed; including being on-call and assisting with after-hour crisis situations.
• Initiates face to face contact with assigned families within appropriate time frame.

• Conducts a minimum of 2 hours in-home, face to face contact per week with each family to assess family functioning, provide service intervention, and gather information. Adjusts treatment plan as needed to meet the client's specific needs.
• Provides face to face telephone contact with schools, therapists, and other providers to monitor child and family progress.
• Provide support for children and families by accompanying them to appointments, coordinating transportation for family visits/activities.
• Assists the family with locating and utilizing community resources, services, and activities.
• Supervises family visitations, provides education, parenting support, and intervention as needed.
• Attends ISPs, IEPs, court hearings, and other appointments along with family members to assure coordination of services.
• Provides weekly consultation to DHR and immediate responses when health or safety issues pose a threat to children.
• Provides progress reports to the referring DHR worker on a monthly basis and prior to any Family Court Hearing.
• Works with DHR and family to develop appropriate Safety Plans.
• Provides crisis intervention 24 hours/7 days a week when on call.
• Completes, submits, and files all required documentation timely and accurately.
• Assists ILP Program tasks as needed and assigned.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and LBSW required within six (6) months of hire date.
• Proficiency in computer use and understanding of basic word processing and spreadsheet software required.
• Ability to travel extensively and be on-call for emergency situations required.
• Using the English language must have excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills that allow for professional interaction with families, staff, stakeholders and the general public.
• Must have a valid driver license from state of residence.
• Must have reliable transportation and proof of automobile liability insurance and a driving record that will allow coverage on Agency’s insurance policy.
• Must receive a satisfactory background check that includes a check of employment and personal references, criminal history, driving background, Child Abuse & Neglect (Alabama) Registry, Affidavit of Good Moral Character (Florida), and pass a pre-employment physical examination including a TB skin test and drug screen.

• Vision: Must be able to drive, read reports, observe conditions related to work, view computer screen, etc.
• Cognitive: Must be able to think independently, logically, and problem solve.
• Hearing: Must be able to hear well enough to communicate with co-workers, employees, families and the general public.
• Standing/Walking/Mobility: Must be able to stand to open files and operate office machines, mobility to drive, get in and out of private homes as well as work area, some standing for prolonged periods for presentation. Normal coordination including eye-hand and hand-foot.
• Climbing/Stooping, Kneeling: Must be able to stoop and kneel as needed to file, retrieve documents, assist families and perform CPR and First Aid, etc.
• Lifting/Pulling/Pushing: Must be able to lift and carry up case files, laptop computers, which may weigh up to 20 pounds.
• Manual Dexterity: Must be able to write, type, use telephone system, file, drive, etc.

As followers of Christ, our passion for serving is motivated by compassion and a calling to provide homes, healing, and hope. We strive to be there for individuals who need someone to care for them when those closest to them can’t adequately provide that care. Those we serve experience hardships no one should have to face, including neglect, abuse, and abandonment. We nurture these vulnerable individuals by embracing them, meeting them where they are, and loving them unconditionally. We’re not only providing them with homes, we’re giving them a system of support and care to help them flourish. While faith is the core of our mission, we are driven by a desire to nurture, support, and prepare individuals for productive, thriving futures. We believe we can break what often becomes a cycle of neglect and circumstance for many vulnerable children and families. Our caring and compassionate team works to change the trajectory of the lives of those we serve in our homes and our programs are centered around family preservation, foster care, and school readiness.