Foster Care Case Manager

Wellspring Lutheran Services•Traverse City, MI

13d

About The Position

Wellspring Lutheran Services is seeking a Foster Care Case Manager to help children achieve safety, stability, and lifelong connections. The role supports children and families through important transitions in foster care, with a focus on advocacy, healing, permanency, belonging, and positive outcomes. The Case Manager works with foster families, birth families, schools, courts, therapists, community providers, and child welfare professionals to coordinate services and resources. The position develops individualized plans focused on safety, well-being, and permanency; helps children maintain important relationships; encourages family engagement; and supports access to resources that can promote healing and reunification. The Case Manager also advocates for children's educational, medical, emotional, and social needs and helps ensure their voices are heard in decision-making. The work includes activities such as foster-home visits, school meetings, parenting-time facilitation, service coordination, court hearings, and helping families address barriers. The position is full-time, based in the Gaylord area and serving Grand Traverse County and surrounding areas. It involves primarily daytime hours, with evening and occasional weekend responsibilities, regular community travel, and after-hours/on-call responsibilities as required. Salary starts at $43,888. Applications are accepted through October 26, 2026.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in social work or a related human services field.
Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and auto insurance.
Strong assessment, communication, documentation, and organizational skills.
Ability to engage families experiencing crisis with compassion and professionalism.
Commitment to child-centered, family-focused practice.
Empathy, respect, and a strength-based approach.
Ability to navigate complex situations while remaining focused on solutions.
Ability to build relationships, collaborate, adapt, and balance multiple priorities.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with children and families.
Knowledge of community resources and family support services.

Responsibilities

Advocate for children and families and help them navigate challenges.
Develop individualized plans focused on safety, well-being, and permanency.
Help children maintain important relationships and connections throughout foster care.
Coordinate services with foster parents, birth families, schools, courts, therapists, community partners, and child welfare professionals.
Encourage family engagement and help families access resources that support healing, long-term success, and reunification when possible.
Advocate for children's educational, medical, emotional, and social needs and ensure their voices are heard in decision-making.
Conduct foster-home visits and attend school meetings, court hearings, family appointments, and other community-based activities.
Facilitate parenting time and coordinate services.
Help families overcome barriers and support children and young people as they move toward reunification or a permanent home.
Participate in after-hours and on-call responsibilities as required.