Case Planner

About the position

The Foster Care Case Planner uses a diverse and strength-based approach for the direct interaction with the child, the Foster Parents, the child's birth family, and the community. The Case Planner acts as a liaison with various private as well as public service providers and resource agencies to coordinate all case management needs of the youth and family. The Case Planner prepares placement & discharge summaries, writes treatment & crisis management plans, attends court proceedings, assists the agency in the implementation of independent living services, and participates in the crisis response on-call rotation.

Responsibilities

• Completes initial Family Assessments on each parent, in addition to each tracked child.
• Maintains contact with all service providers in regard to all family participants attendance and progress toward achieving treatment goals as they relate to required services.
• Coordinates visitation for each youth with an identified resource. Provides supervision for visitation regularly to assess the family’s progress.
• Meets and/or maintains contact with each youth and family member in accordance with the initial Level Agreement and LDSS Contract.
• Works as a member of a Treatment Team, including the child and family, to develop an Individualized Treatment Plan and assist with identifying goals for the family and each member of the family.
• Provides Supportive Counseling to the child, birth parents and foster parents.
• Participates in regularly scheduled Team Meetings.
• Work with community agencies, organizations, and systems for long-term planning and support of the families and children served.
• Attend all Family Court hearings, aide in the preparation of necessary court documentation, and provides testimony.
• Represent the Children’s Home of Jefferson County as a liaison with various private as well as public service providers and resource agencies.
• Complete all New York State mandated as well as CHJC reports and forms in a timely fashion.
• Maintain familiarity with Social Services Laws and Regulations in addition to assuring compliance.
• Ensuring the Health and Safety of each youth while in the birth home, foster home, and community and create and modify Safety Plans as needed.
• Provides thorough documentation in regard to all Caseworker activities to include but not limited to face-to-face contacts, phone calls, Case Conferences, Court Appearances, visitation, noted incidents, etc.
• Maintains complete and organized case files in accordance with OCFS and CHJC Policies.
• Works in partnership with assigned Care Coordinators to ensure the following services are provided: Coordinates all Health Care Services for each new admission and provides on-going oversight of all medical care (to include, but not limited to medical, dental and vision).
• Submits necessary referrals for services for youth and birth parents (to include, but not limited to: mental health counseling, family counseling, and chemical dependency services).
• Completes school enrollment and documentation for each admission to include Early Intervention Services.
• Develops and maintains working relationships with local schools to ensure a positive education and experience for each child. Obtains regular updates from the school regarding the youth’s academic progress and attends all scheduled school related meetings.
• Maintains case records and prepares on-going reports on all children and families receiving services through the CHJC Foster Care Program.
• Completes all required documentation.
• Aids in facilitation of GPSII/MAPP and on-going training. Training expectations may include times outside of normal business hours.
• Other duties as directed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or related Human Service discipline preferred.
• Two years’ experience working with youth at risk and families.
• Experience in Child Welfare.
• Experience in Casework Services.
• Ability to work with culturally diverse families.
• Understanding of and experience with Strength-Based and Individualized Care Approach to working with children and families.
• Requires self-direction, tact, diplomacy, and the ability to be clear, courteous and professional.
• Must demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills and the ability to work cooperatively with others.
• Must be detail-oriented.

Nice-to-haves

• CORE and Connections Training a plus.
• Valid NYS driver’s license required.
• GPSII/MAPP Certification, a plus.
• CORE Training will be required within one (1) year of employment.
• Mandated Reporter Certification will be required following date of hire.