Child Welfare Case Manager (7466)

Lutheran Services Florida • Fort Myers, FL

1d

About The Position

Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) is seeking talented Child Welfare Case Managers to make an impact in the lives of children and families. The purpose of this role is to provide comprehensive, full wrap-around case management services to LSF clients and their families, fostering strong relationships while upholding the agency's core values. This position is crucial for ensuring children's safety, strengthening families, and contributing to vibrant communities.

Requirements

• Must possess a bachelor's degree in a Human Services field.
• Must have at least one year of relevant experience.
• Must be certified within one year.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Familiarity with and ability to use Microsoft Office programs Word and Excel.
• Ability to type 45 words per minute.
• Ability to drive locally and throughout the state in connection with this position's duties.
• Valid driver’s license and appropriate auto liability insurance required.
• Must demonstrate sensitivity to our service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics and needs.
• Full understanding of case ownership responsibility as the integrator of all services and supports identified for each child, including therapy, other mental health services, health and dentistry, developmental services, educational support, permanency and safety.
• Responsibility to make trauma sensitive transitions when it is determined that a caretaker lacks the needed level of responsibility to care for their children.

Nice To Haves

• Degree in Social Work preferred.

Responsibilities

• Accept all cases assigned by unit supervisor.
• Meet with children in their primary residence within 2 working days of ITR staffing.
• Meet with identified parents in sufficient time to complete a Family Assessment within 15 working days of ITR staffing.
• Negotiate and develop a case plan based on identified strengths and needs of the family, circumstances bringing the family into care, recommendations from the Comprehensive Behavioral Health Assessment, and other relevant data.
• Create case plans collaboratively with parents, Guardian Ad Litem, foster parents, and other pertinent parties, aiming for reunification or other permanency for the child.
• Visit the child in their primary residence according to required frequency, but no less than once every 25 days, with at least one unannounced visit each quarter.
• Accurately document all case activities in the Florida Safe Families Network (FSFN) database within 48 hours.
• Maintain the physical case file in chronological order, by subject, in accordance with the standardized case file format.
• Submit service requests to the lead agency Utilization Management Department and provide clients with timely referrals to services.
• Develop and maintain knowledge of community resources, program eligibility requirements, key contact persons, emergency procedures, and waiting lists of available resources.
• Maintain regular contact with service providers and document service progress in FSFN.
• Complete and submit court documentation within the required time frame.
• Prepare for, attend, and participate in all court activities, as necessary.
• Arrange for, attend, and participate in individual case staffings as necessary.
• Complete all required staffing and application packets.
• Conduct initial and/or ongoing child safety assessments as required.
• Prepare initial and on-going safety plans, as necessary.
• Arrange for emergency placement, emergency medical treatment, and emergency services for children at risk.
• Conduct diligent searches for parents and family members when deemed necessary and thoroughly document the effort made.
• Conduct home studies as required for prospective placements.
• Provide relevant medical, psychological, behavioral, and educational background information about the child or children to prospective caregivers as needed.
• Plan and facilitate parental and sibling visits as needed and appropriate.
• Transport children as needed.
• Ensure that all Independent Living functions are completed as required.
• Attend all appointments, staff meetings, training courses, seminars, workshops, etc., as necessary, and as required by the supervisor.
• Function as agency on-call Case Manager as scheduled.
• Organize, prioritize, and complete all work assignments by the established deadlines.
• Treat clients, the public, and staff with courtesy, respect, and dignity, presenting a positive public image.
• Keep supervisor fully informed of activities, pertinent issues, upcoming events, and potential problems.
• Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills in daily work.
• Support the unit, department, and/or organization and work with others to accomplish goals.
• Adhere to established safety procedures and practices in the work area.
• Attend and successfully complete all mandated training courses such as the PDC Assessment and examination, Pre-service Training, MAPP Training, In-service, etc., within the probationary period and as scheduled thereafter.
• Successfully complete the Field-Based Performance Assessment.
• Adhere to all confidentiality rules.
• Perform on-call responsibilities as assigned.
• Carry an active cellphone during regularly scheduled work hours and on-call hours and immediately respond to all calls.
• Perform other related duties and special assignments as required.
• Report directly to and follow directives of the Case Management Supervisor.
• Work cooperatively with Program Directors, other Case Managers, placement staff, Protective Investigators, Child Welfare Legal staff, and agency support staff.
• Effectively manage time to ensure all home visits are completed as required, all documentation is entered into FSFN within 48 hours, court documentation is prepared according to specified time frames, and court appearances are attended as necessary.
• Follow Florida Statutes, Administrative Code, written policies, and orders of the Dependency Court in managing cases toward goals recorded in case plans.

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental and Vision
• Telehealth (24/7 online access to Doctors)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employer paid life insurance (1X salary)
• 13 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday
• Generous PTO policy (starting at 16 working days a year)
• 403(b) Retirement plan with 3% discretionary employer match OR 3% student loan repayment reimbursement
• Tuition reimbursement

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees