Lead Case Manager

Public Health Management Corporation•Philadelphia, PA

11d

About The Position

The Lead Case Manager provides services to assigned youth in Turning Points for Children’s Family Finding program. Using solution-focused questioning and other interview techniques, the role leads efforts to identify family members and significant individuals and connect them with the child or youth. The Lead Case Manager also serves as a contact for new hires regarding training and shadowing, leads community outreach and recruitment activities, supports onboarding and training, and represents the team at partnership meetings when the supervisor is unavailable. The role coordinates with DHS or CUA workers, child advocates, placement workers, therapists, youth, families, and other professionals. It involves diligent family searches, client and family engagement, fieldwork, attendance at court hearings and case meetings, and ongoing follow-through with identified supports. The position requires thorough and timely case documentation, reports, supervision notes, and case-file maintenance, while adhering to confidentiality standards. Staff spend at least 20% of their time in the field and must be willing to adjust work hours to client needs, including evening home visits.

Requirements

Three years of experience as a Family Finding Worker.
Bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field.
Knowledge of social services, child welfare, and family systems services.
Cultural sensitivity to the needs and diversity of multicultural communities.
Ability and willingness to adjust work hours to client needs and attend evening home visits.
Strong written communication and oral presentation skills.
Accuracy and attention to detail.
Strong organizational skills and ability to multitask and prioritize.
A currently inspected car for daily use, current auto insurance, and a valid driver’s license; willingness to serve clients within a 50-mile radius of the Turning Points Office.
Strong interpersonal skills and a respectful, courteous manner.
Good customer service skills in working relationships.
Ability to handle confidential information appropriately.
Typing and basic computer skills, including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
Ability to work independently and demonstrate sound judgment.
Experience facilitating public meetings and other public forums.

Nice To Haves

Proficiency in both Spanish and English; preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Contact the assigned DHS or CUA worker in writing and by phone by the third business day after case assignment; notify the Family Finding supervisor if contact is unsuccessful after three phone calls and follow-up emails.
Use initial questions for CUA and intake for children under 12, obtain complete case background, and request relevant case documentation.
Communicate with the Child Advocate or Child Advocate Social Worker, placement worker, therapist, and other professionals within the first two weeks of service and monthly as needed.
Visit or contact youth by phone or video by the seventh day of service and monthly as appropriate; conduct in-person intake except in unusual circumstances and complete the intake packet within five business days of the intake meeting.
Plan for and attend all required hearings and case meetings, bring recent reports or supervision notes to court, and arrange professional meetings as needed.
Attempt to identify at least 40 family members or acquaintances per case, documenting any factors that prevent reaching that number.
Search for family using program systems and social media, and document the search in DHS Connect.
Send letters to identified people by the 15th day of service, follow up one week later, and make in-person visits if there is no response; document attempts and any supervisor-approved decision to forgo letters.
Conduct field engagement with potential supports, clients, and professionals for at least 20% of work time, including home visits and pop-ups as appropriate.
Follow through on identified supports throughout casework, coordinating next steps with CUA, Child Advocates, and other team members as appropriate.
Keep contact documentation current for all communication and case activities, updating contacts at least weekly and before midpoint and closing summaries.
Prepare detailed reports covering case background, placement and court history, identified supports, vetting responses, and agreed-upon next steps; correct and resubmit reports within 24 hours when requested by the supervisor.
Prepare supervision notes one full day before supervision, including updated case background, family list, communications, progress, and next steps; complete supervision at least once in each two-week cycle.
At service termination, explain next steps to youth age 12 or older, send termination letters to youth over 12 and a separate closing letter to CUA for youth under 12, and file copies appropriately.
Maintain confidentiality and secure handling of records and information, including compliance with consent and disclosure requirements.
File all case documentation at least weekly, including intake forms, search results, correspondence, case records, progress reports, termination forms, follow-ups, and audit sheets.
Lead community outreach and recruitment events and bi-monthly group workshops, including topic collaboration and preparation of agendas or presentations.
Assist with onboarding and training of new staff and interns, including facilitating shadowing in the field or office.
Raise Family Finding team issues or concerns promptly with the supervisor or director.
Attend relevant training, workshops, and classes and share applicable knowledge.
Represent the team at internal and external partnership meetings when the supervisor is unavailable.