Child Welfare Case Manager/Trainee

Chsfl•Lakeland, FL

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Children's Home Society of Florida (CHS) is seeking a Child Welfare Case Manager Trainee/Case Manager to join their team. CHS has a long history of serving Florida's children and families, evolving to meet changing needs with innovative solutions. This role is part of a strategic care team responsible for overseeing children in need and addressing factors that put them at risk for out-of-home placement, with the ultimate goal of creating permanent, stable, and safe home environments. The position offers an uplifting, mission-driven work culture, opportunities for growth and professional development, and a great benefits package including generous paid time off and holidays. A video, "Get Real: Life as a Case Manager," is required viewing for applicants.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, required.
Florida Driver’s License within 30 days from hire is required, along with daily access to a reliable and insured vehicle.
Must successfully complete: Prescribed Child Welfare Case Management Certification training and examination.
A considerable period of monitored field practice under close supervision and the associated field case requirement.
The CHS Dependency Experience Waiver learning path, unless the team member possesses one of the preferred qualifications.
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, required.
Florida Child Welfare Case Manager certification, required.
Adoption Competent certificate or must acquire within 6 months of employment, required (For Adoptions).
Two years of experience working with at-risk children and families, required (Certified DCM Candidates).
Knowledge of: CHILD DEVELOPMENT | COMMUNITY RESOURCES | DEPENDENCY | PERMANENCY
Skills and Proficiency in: Planning, project management, organization and time management
Oral and written communication, including presentation and platform
Collaboration, teamwork, consulting, facilitation, coaching and mentoring
Ability to: Interact effectively with children and families from diverse backgrounds.
Set appropriate limits and boundaries with clients; act decisively to protect clients, when necessary.
Assess and apply proper intervention strategies.
Identify and understand environmental stressors.
Recognize importance of social, economic, environmental factors in the development and resolution of personal/family problems.
Be sensitive to service population’s cultural/socioeconomic characteristics
Perform at a high level of autonomy, with general supervision.
Perform under strong demands in fast-paced, diverse, sometimes ambiguous environments.
Commit to providing high customer satisfaction with positive service delivery results.
Meet critical deadlines, while maintaining attention to detail, accuracy and quality.
Handle highly stressful, sensitive situations; maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.
Demonstrate the behaviors of our CHS Common Bond Values.
All applicants are subject to background screening through the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA).

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in a Human Services related field from an accredited university, preferred.
Master’s degree in Social Work, preferred.
Master’s degree in Social work from an accredited university, preferred.
Two years of experience working with at risk children and families, preferred.
Experience in these related fields/titles welcome: Child Welfare, Dependency, Social Work, DCF, Foster Care, Adoptions, Teaching, Psychology, Criminal Justice, etc.
CHS Dependency Experience Waiver may substitute for required qualifications.

Responsibilities

Identify and assess client and family needs of minors placed in care by DCF due to abuse or neglect by caretakers with the ultimate goal of permanency.
Conduct child safety assessments.
Assess client needs and develop service plans.
Coordinate delivery of services; plan referrals and linkages to clients and families.
Monitor service plan progress and evaluates reports from multiple service providers.
Develop and maintain case and program documentation (assessments, treatment and service plans, progress notes, termination summaries, etc.) according to contract and CHS standards.
Prepare case and status reports and make recommendations; testify in court or other prescribed body regarding reunification, termination of parental rights or other permanency plans.
Conduct diligent searches as required by dependency laws.
Coordinate services with other professionals and para-professionals.
Conduct community outreach as needed.
Provide specialized services such as detainment, interstate compact, post placement supervision, relative and non-relative caregiver home studies, court testimony, termination of parental rights and judicial review staffing.
Facilitate stable placement and timely achievement of permanency by providing support to children, caregivers, and family members.
Assist family and caregivers in accessing subsidy, medical coverage and other needed services for children.
Coordinate cases with supervisor, team members, providers, DCF and attorneys as needed.
Facilitate placement and independent living.
May remove and place children, and/or facilitate mediation staffing for reunification, TPR and detainment.
Arrange or provide transportation of clients when needed.
Arrange for drug/alcohol screens as necessary.
Provide on call support as required or scheduled.
Assess families for the purpose of adoption.
Complete child assessments specific for adoption.
Meet agency target/goal for adoption.
Complete subsidy packets for families.
Follow background requirements for adoption.
Adhere to requirements as provided by Florida statue and required by lead agency.
Attend a paid classroom training program, Phase I Child Protection Certification, and upon successful completion, enter Phase II, a hands on supervised field practice that leads to full certification (DCM Trainee candidates only).
Strengthen skills in case management through on the job training.