Foster Care Case Manager

Caritas Family Solutions•Mount Vernon, IL

10d

About The Position

At Caritas we believe every life deserves LOVE! If you agree, then please consider joining our team!! Caritas Family Solutions is seeking compassionate Case Managers to serve in our Mt. Vernon office. This position includes flexible hours, frequent opportunities for telework, top compensation, and AMAZING team support. Most importantly, you’ll have the opportunity to truly make a positive difference in the lives of children! If you’re ready to make an impact, please apply today!!! At Caritas, we know we’re competing with other employers for your services, and we want to win! It is our goal to offer competitive compensation and affordable benefits to all eligible employees. Caritas currently offers the following benefits to full-time employees: · 403 B Retirement Plan (5% Employer Match) · Generous Paid Time Off · Health, Dental and Vision Insurance Coverage · 12 Employer Paid State & Federal Holidays · Telehealth Services · Employer Paid Life Insurance · Health Saving Account · Employer Paid Short- & Long-Term Disability · Tuition Assistance Program · Real Work/Life Balance PURPOSE: The Foster Care Case Manager will collaborate with DCFS, youth, birth families, foster parents, and other identified supports to facilitate the achievement of permanency for youth in care. Foster Care Case Managers will visit with members of the child and family team as required and work to identify any barriers to permanency and help secure supports and services to overcome identified barriers. REPORTING STRUCTURE: Refer to the updated organizational chart for reporting structure and responsiblities.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree (Related fields will be considered.)
Minimum less than 4 years (For positions that manage staff, the years specified need to be progressive years of management experience. For all positions, the years required can be interchanged with equivalent experience from an advanced degree related to this job and/or with other relevant experience verified by applicant/incumbent).
Child Welfare Employee License
Active Learning — Understand the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Active Listening — Give full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking — Use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Learning Strategies — Select and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Monitoring — Monitor/Assess performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Reading Comprehension — Understand written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Speaking — Talk to others to convey information effectively.
Writing — Communicate effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Language — Able to read and write in English.
Coordination — Adjust actions in relation to others' actions.
Instructing — Teach others how to do something.
Negotiation — Bring others together and trying to reconcile differences.
Persuasion — Persuade others to change their minds or behavior.
Service Orientation — Look for ways to help people.
Social Perceptiveness — Be aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Complex Problem Solving — Identify complex problems and review related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Time pressure decision-making — Make decisions without much analysis or time to consider alternatives.
Time pressure planning — Plan and be responsible for regularly meeting strict deadlines.
Judgment and Decision Making — Consider the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one ensuring that decisions made have an impact on others, the image/reputation of Caritas, and/or the financial resources.
Systems Analysis — Determine how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
Systems Evaluation — Identify measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
Must display a willingness to adopt trauma informed interventions, principles, and practices as well as commitment to ongoing development of their capacity for application of trauma informed care.
Realizes the prevalence of trauma among persons served by Caritas and the general population.
Recognizes how trauma affects everyone involved-including clients, their families, staff, and community; and impacts behaviors.
Responds to trauma by actively implementing the guiding principles of trauma informed care into their daily practice.
Resists re-traumatization of persons served and staff providing services, by creating safe, welcoming, and supportive environments.
Proficient Computer Skills In: Outlook, Word, Database Management Software
Access to reliable transportation to get to/from work: Required.
Access to a reliable automobile: Required.
Must provide proof of auto liability insurance (and continue to while working in this position): Required.
Must possess a valid driver's license: Required.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's Degree in Social Work or in Human Services (Related fields will be considered.)
Child Welfare Employee License
Expert Computer Skills In: Outlook, Word, Database Management Software

Responsibilities

Provides case management services to children and families in foster care
Maintains and monitors youth in care placements to ensure safety, permanency, and well-being objectives are met as well as compliance with contract/program plan requirements.
Maintains current and accurate documentation of contact notes, case notes, and client records.
Coordinates and provides linkage to appropriate agency and community resources necessary for effective, efficient achievement of the permanency goal by established timeframe.
Establishes a therapeutic alliance and engage families, caregivers, and other service providers in the treatment process.
Maintains effective, consistent contact with therapists, attorneys, CASA, and/or any other community service providers, which includes facilitating and attending Child and Family Team meetings.
Prepares for and actively participate in all required meetings with DCFS
Attends and testifies in court hearings, as necessary
Meets with foster parents, birth parents, and youth monthly as required by policy, at minimum.
Develops & maintains service plan outcomes and interventions in correlation with the recommendations of the integrated assessment, needs of the family and youth, and timely permanency achievement, as well as family progress in reunification efforts.
Partners with Licensing Specialist to ensure professional collaboration with foster parents
Maintains communication with Foster Care Case Assistant to ensure an appropriate visitation plan for the family and youth.
Participates in on-call system and schedule, as necessary
Attends and participates in supervision to ensure monthly supervision occurs on all cases with assigned Foster Care Supervisor
Completes all Caritas paperwork and complies with program expectations as related to the position
Identifies learning needs to develop and actualize educational and/or professional development goals.
Willingness to travel as this position requires frequent travel and vehicle use; follows agency and state guidelines regarding driving, rules of the road, and safety.