Caregiver Support Specialist

Wellpoint Care Network•Milwaukee, WI

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

At Wellpoint Care Network, our mission is to facilitate equity, learning, healing, and wellness by restoring the connections that help children and families thrive. Every person deserves the opportunity to reach their fullest potential. It’s part of human nature, and the promise of our country, that everyone be given a fair chance to be and do their best. Yet, many in our community live with unresolved childhood and generational trauma. That’s where we come in. We believe we can create a world where children and families have a clearer path to their fullest potential. Wellpoint Care Network has championed the restoration of families for nearly 175 years. Our next Caregiver Support Specialist will provide out of home care providers of children in court-ordered care with a variety of services to enhance their ability to meet the children’s needs. The primary goals of the program are to increase placement stability and to help ensure that caregivers, who are an imperative part of the team, feel supported. Caregiver Support Specialists work one on one with caregivers in their home to provide education on many different topics including trauma informed care and parenting, resources and services for the children and caregivers, and overall support to caregivers as they navigate the child welfare system.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related degree required.
A minimum of 2 years of experience in service provision to child welfare kids/families with preference given for case management and licensing experience.
Crisis intervention experience.
Excellent communication skills.
Knowledge of community resources.
Advanced knowledge of Trauma Informed Care concepts with the ability to enhance caregiver’s skill set.
Proficient in the usage of computer software; demonstrate an understanding of computer file systems and computer software packages, e.g., Microsoft Office, Excel, Outlook, Teams, ADP, etc.
Must be honest, dependable, and able to meet deadlines; Self-motivated and able to work independently.
Physical exam, drug screen, motor vehicle report, and background checks are required for this position.
A valid Wisconsin Driver’s License or occupational driver’s license, reliable transportation and insurance is required.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Social Work or related degree preferred.
preference given for case management and licensing experience.

Responsibilities

Contributes to caregiver skill development and knowledge base (i.e., regarding child welfare system, mental health related issues, behavioral interventions, child developmental/emotional needs, etc.).
Contributes to program outcome goals through interventions that support educational and placement stability.
Supports and educates the team in transition planning for children.
Appropriately advocates for families within the given system and empowers and supports caregivers to advocate for themselves.
Demonstrates the ability to work collaboratively and form positive relationships with treatment team members (Child, Birth Family, Caregiver Family, Purchaser, and Collateral Providers) towards meeting family needs.
Comprehensively assesses caregivers and child’s needs and utilizes assessment information to establish relevant, measurable, strengths-oriented goals that are trauma-informed.
Provides individualized and child specific recommendations/interventions for the child and caregiver.
Assesses all enrolled children to determine if child would benefit from additional assessments, such as a NMT, OT, Birth to Three, etc.
Supports the development and implementation of programs and initiatives aimed at improving quality outcomes.
Uses data and feedback to continuously improve efforts and strategies.
Documents and prepares reports on activities, outcomes, and impact.
Produces quality, well-written and efficient case documentation (reports, progress notes, CoBRIS entries).
Admission/intake and discharge reports are completed within the required timeframes.
Regularly collaborates with child welfare and foster care colleagues to best meet the needs of the families.
Initiates collaboration between birth parents and caregivers.
Participates in Agency and program development activities to improve the quality of services and to maintain program/Agency growth.
All employees will be evaluated on their demonstration of a consistent commitment to the Agency’s Seven Essential Ingredients, Inclusion & Belonging, and engagement in the strategic initiatives of the organization. This will be measured by their active participation in committees and workgroups, and by their communication and practice within their daily work and in the community.
Participates in assigned meetings, events, and learning as required.
Other duties as assigned, including serving in a coverage role for other department members