Foster Care Case Manager
About The Position
Wellspring Lutheran Services is hiring a full-time Foster Care Case Manager serving Gaylord and Alpena and Otsego counties. The role supports children in foster care and their families as they work toward safety, stability, lifelong connections, and permanency. The case manager partners with foster and birth families, schools, courts, therapists, community providers, and child welfare professionals to coordinate services and advocate for each child’s needs. The case manager develops individualized plans focused on safety, well-being, and permanency; supports family engagement and access to resources; and advocates for children’s educational, medical, emotional, and social needs. Work may include foster home visits, school meetings, parenting-time facilitation, service coordination, court hearings, helping families address barriers, and supporting reunification or placement in a permanent home. The position involves primarily daytime hours, with evening and occasional weekend responsibilities, regular travel throughout the community, and after-hours and on-call responsibilities as required. Wellspring Lutheran Services describes itself as a mission-driven organization with more than 130 years of service to families across Michigan. Its mission is: “Motivated by Christ's love, we engage people as they experience and embrace their God-given potential.”
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.
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 during their foster care journey.
- Coordinate with foster parents, birth families, schools, courts, therapists, and community partners to support children and create stability.
- 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 help ensure their voices are heard in decision-making.
- Conduct foster home visits, attend school meetings and court hearings, facilitate parenting time, and coordinate services.
- Help families overcome barriers and support children and young people moving toward reunification or a permanent home.
- Travel throughout the community for home visits, school meetings, court hearings, and family appointments.
- Participate in after-hours and on-call responsibilities as required.
Benefits
- Health, dental, and vision insurance.
- Paid time off and paid holidays.
- 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching.
- Employee Assistance Program (SupportLinc).
- Mileage reimbursement.
- Professional development and ongoing training.
- Supportive, collaborative team environment.
- Meaningful work that impacts children and families every day.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
