Foster Care Case Manager/Adoption Specialist

OVP Health•Huntington, WV

13d

About The Position

The Foster Care Case Manager/Adoption Specialist works with children and foster parents to help children reach their goals, support foster-family growth and development, and provide the resources needed to achieve permanency. Work takes place in offices, foster homes, schools, and the community. The position coordinates child and family referrals, intake, assessments, service plans, support services, supervised family visits, and adoptions when applicable. It also monitors children’s medical, therapy, educational, and other needs; supports foster parents; coordinates with agencies and community partners; and completes required documentation and data entry. The role includes crisis prevention and response, participation in a rotating weekly on-call schedule, and timely reporting of critical incidents or safety concerns. It is a full-time salaried, community-based position with Monday-through-Friday core workdays, some evening hours, possible weekend work, and a flexible schedule shaped by office requirements and client and foster-parent availability. Travel is required, including use of a personal vehicle; mileage is reimbursed. The employee reports to an immediate supervisor, and the position has no supervisory responsibility.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work or a related human-services field; alternatively, a bachelor’s degree with department-approved training provided by the child-placing agency.
At least one year of case-management experience.
At least 21 years of age.
Valid driver’s license.
Successful completion of required criminal background checks and drug screenings in accordance with state and company regulations.
Willingness to travel and attend training.
Successful completion of all required job-related training.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret human-service periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and governmental regulations.
Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedures.
Ability to present information effectively and respond to questions from groups, managers, clients, customers, and the public.
Ability to calculate figures and amounts, including percentages, mean, and mode.
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Organizational, written, and oral communication skills; decision-making and leadership ability.
Ability to use multiple software programs, including Microsoft Office, databases, and Electronic Health Records.
Ability to meet scheduled and unplanned deadlines.
Ability to lift a minimum of 25 pounds.
Ability to perform job responsibilities in a facility with multiple levels and no elevator or mechanical lift.
Ability to operate a computer.
Ability to travel for this community-based position; personal vehicle use and car insurance are required.

Nice To Haves

At least one year of experience working with children and families is preferred.

Responsibilities

Participate in referral matching for children and families and advocate for the best possible home match.
Facilitate each child’s Initial Service Plan and ensure completion of appropriate assessments, such as biopsychosocial, CANS, independent living, and diagnostic assessments.
Refer foster children to applicable behavioral health, independent living, medical, educational, and other support services.
Obtain initial legal documentation before placement or service delivery and develop appropriate safety plans during intake.
Facilitate supervised biological-family visitation as requested by DHS or the court.
Assist with and coordinate adoptions for eligible children and families.
Develop and facilitate individualized service plans and reviews, and assist foster parents and children with implementation, tracking, and monitoring.
Build relationships with foster parents and children through training and support, and meet state and licensure requirements for contact with children on the caseload.
Ensure foster children receive required medical and therapy services in accordance with service plans and state regulations.
Serve as liaison between OVP, placement agencies, and community resource entities.
Provide transportation as needed and participate in service meetings with relevant parties.
Build relationships with school and education personnel to help children meet educational goals and requirements.
Provide ongoing training and support to foster parents and children.
Monitor documentation and medication logs for compliance with state, licensure, accreditation, and medication-administration requirements.
Maintain confidentiality and contribute to or execute assigned tasks for foster-parent Corrective Action Plans and performance quality improvement processes.
Ensure discharge plans include aftercare referrals when applicable and complete required home visits.
Participate in a rotating weekly on-call schedule, document and report on-call activities, and follow up with leadership.
Immediately report non-compliance, abuse or suspected abuse, neglect, or suicidal ideation to a supervisor or designated authority.
Ensure critical incidents are staffed with leadership and entered into the Electronic Health Record within required timeframes.
Complete and submit Medicaid documentation as appropriate and enter complete, accurate data into the Electronic Health Record in accordance with rules and company protocol.
Transfer established caseloads and foster homes to new case managers and mentor them through the transition; support foster parents and case managers during staff transitions.
Keep employee-related documents current and perform other duties assigned by the immediate supervisor.
Travel to community locations and foster homes as required, using a personal vehicle.