Foster Care Case Manager- Hillsboro

Archdiocese of St. Louis•University City, MO

About The Position

Good Shepherd Children & Family Services provides foster care and treatment foster care, adoption, expectant parent counseling, maternity shelter, pregnancy services, and advocacy. The Foster Care Specialist provides case management to children and families in state custody or under state-agency supervision, with a focus on permanency, safety, and child well-being. The role supports connecting children with families and keeping families connected, and delivers services in accordance with the teachings of the Catholic Church. The position involves regular contact with children, foster parents, and biological parents; coordinating services and visitation; leading permanency-planning meetings; developing and monitoring case plans; attending court proceedings; assessing safety and well-being; advocating across service systems; and maintaining case records. The case manager also coordinates with community professionals, supports caregivers and families, responds to crises, and transports clients as needed. Evening and weekend work may be required based on client needs. Candidates must have a bachelor's degree in Social Work, Counseling, or Psychology and at least two years of related experience, or a master's degree in one of those fields. Required pre-employment screening includes a criminal background check and other checks as needed, Family Care Safety Registration, drug screening, and verification of employment and education or licensure/certification. Some positions may also require a physical examination and tuberculosis and Hepatitis A screening.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Counseling, or Psychology with at least two years of related experience, or a master's degree in one of these fields.
Knowledge of community resources and service providers.
Understanding of juvenile court procedures, Missouri child welfare laws, and federal child welfare regulations.
Knowledge of family systems and the effects of abuse, neglect, substance abuse, mental illness, poverty, grief, loss, and trauma on children and families.
Completion of required Child Welfare Practice Training.
Strong written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
Ability to communicate effectively with clients, families, community partners, and professional stakeholders.
Commitment to supporting positive family connections and permanency for children.
Strong teamwork and collaboration skills.
Non-judgmental, compassionate, and culturally responsive approach.
Excellent assessment, critical-thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
Ability to develop and implement effective treatment and case plans.
Strong advocacy skills in support of children and families within multiple service systems.
Ability to engage difficult, resistant, or court-mandated families in services.
Conflict-resolution and crisis-intervention skills.
Strong organizational, planning, and time-management abilities.
Ability to prioritize responsibilities and make sound independent decisions.
Flexibility to work evenings and weekends based on client needs.
Ability to independently manage schedules and caseload responsibilities.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, electronic databases, and case management systems.
Strong leadership, coordination, and relationship-building skills.
Valid driver's license, reliable vehicle, and insurance.
Successful completion of required pre-employment screening.

Responsibilities

Conduct regular visits with children in foster or alternative care, foster parents, and biological parents to assess needs, monitor progress, and maintain family connections.
Build working relationships with parents, including those who are incarcerated or living out of state.
Facilitate and supervise parent-child and sibling visitation according to individualized case plans.
Coordinate services and provide ongoing support to children and families.
Lead and coordinate Family Support Team and Permanency Planning Review Team meetings.
Develop, implement, and monitor permanency plans for stable, long-term outcomes.
Identify and engage relatives and extended family as potential placement resources.
Attend court hearings, provide testimony, complete legal documentation, and ensure compliance with court orders and timelines.
Help families access resources and financial assistance when appropriate.
Assess children's and families' emotional, developmental, educational, social, and psychological needs.
Develop and implement case plans based on identified needs.
Monitor foster care placements to ensure children's medical, educational, and emotional needs are met.
Advocate for children and families within educational, medical, mental health, and legal systems.
Support children and families through transitions, placement changes, and permanency planning.
Assess risk factors and develop safety plans.
Provide crisis intervention and emergency support when needed.
Support foster parents and kinship caregivers in maintaining safe and nurturing environments.
Coach families on parenting skills, family functioning, and protective factors to enhance child safety and stability.
Maintain accurate and timely case documentation, reports, court records, and electronic case files.
Coordinate services with community agencies, schools, courts, healthcare providers, and other professionals.
Comply with confidentiality, HIPAA, agency policies, and regulatory requirements.
Participate in team meetings, training, peer reviews, and agency events.
Collaborate with team members to provide case coverage and support agency operations.
Remain responsive to communications and current on child welfare practices and initiatives.
Transport clients as needed and maintain a valid driver's license, reliable vehicle, and insurance.
Perform additional duties as assigned.