Case Manager (K-8th grade)

Juvenile Justice Center of Philadelphia•Philadelphia, PA

20h•$44,000 - $53,500•Onsite

About The Position

The Truancy Intervention and Prevention Services (TIPS) Case Manager assists truant youth and their families in overcoming barriers to regular school attendance and academic achievement through intensive, comprehensive, strengths-based programming. The program provides early intervention for youth exhibiting truancy behaviors, builds on youth and family resilience and self-worth, connects families with community resources, and aims to prevent at-risk youth from entering the Child Welfare system. The position is assigned a 40-hour workweek, with weekly schedules based on caseload needs and no traditional office hours. Work is primarily in the afternoons and evenings during the school year, as well as weekends, with occasional early starts to help participants get to school. The Case Manager is placed on an on-call roster and provides emergency assistance to assigned clients 24 hours a day while on duty. The maximum caseload is 35 clients; case duration is determined by court and/or DHS personnel. The role requires regular family and school contact, collaboration with schools and other professionals, accurate case documentation, and compliance with agency policies and procedures. As the program is new, duties may change and additional duties may be assigned.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in human services, preferably social work (BSW) or counseling.
Two years of experience in family-based social work.
Annual physical form verifying that the employee is free from contagion.
Act 160 Pennsylvania criminal, child abuse, and FBI clearances within one year of hire.
Current driver’s license and automobile insurance, and use of a currently inspected car.
Demonstrated ability and experience working in team-based and group settings.
Ability to use a computer to send and receive written correspondence.
Ability to work collaboratively with other professionals.
Ability to lead and co-facilitate focus group sessions.
Understanding of educational, child welfare, and judicial systems, with the knowledge and ability to navigate them successfully.
Ability and willingness to work with a wide range of ages, neighborhoods, cultural views, and parenting experiences.
Ability to walk, drive, see, bend, stand, and verbally communicate.
Ability and willingness to adjust work hours to client schedules.

Responsibilities

Develop and coordinate comprehensive Family Development Plans based on assessments, evaluations, and truancy elimination plans.
Develop programs and activities that promote school attendance, academic achievement, stability, and positive youth development.
Provide service linkages for family members and collaborate with community resources to address identified needs.
Facilitate academic progress in collaboration with the youth’s school, including collecting academic records and contacting school counselors and teachers for attendance, behavior, and testing information.
Work with school counselors to develop academic support action plans and post-secondary plans for older youth.
Engage caregivers in youth education by accompanying them to school meetings, attending school functions, and helping them advocate for educational needs and navigate school support systems.
Arrange enrollment in after-school, remedial, or enrichment activities as needed, including during discharge planning.
Visit each youth’s school at least once per month and encourage family involvement in school visits.
Meet with families and see all children at least twice per month, coordinate with others involved with families, and comply with DHS contact requirements.
Provide services and counseling appropriate to assessed issues, increasing support beyond minimum standards when needed.
Maintain accurate documentation, including unsuccessful efforts to maintain expected service intensity and monitoring; communicate with assigned DHS workers or court personnel by email and telephone and maintain hard-copy records.
Facilitate transportation to appointments and meetings by providing directions or tokens, accompanying families on public transportation, or driving them in the Case Manager’s own vehicle.
Attend team sessions to assess and monitor service appropriateness and report on client adherence to court orders and program requirements.
Meet with the supervisor biweekly for supervision and maintain full case records according to performance standards, including monthly supervisor case reviews.
Participate in mandatory TIPS trainings and activities hosted by the Department of Human Services or its designee.
Take part in an after-hours on-call roster, with alternating backup from the Program Director, to provide round-the-clock access for families.
Participate in team meetings and communicate with multidisciplinary staff to coordinate priorities, maintain open communication, and respond promptly to concerns from clients, families, funding entities, and JJC staff.
Comply with JJC policies and procedures, including confidentiality requirements and reporting suspected abuse under CPSL and agency policies.