Lead Case Manager

PHMC•Philadelphia, PA

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 case manager conducts family-finding efforts to connect youth with family members and significant individuals. The role also serves as a point of contact for new hires regarding training and shadowing. The position coordinates with youth, families, DHS or CUA workers, child advocates, placement workers, therapists, and other professionals. It involves fieldwork, diligent family searches, engagement with potential supports, participation in hearings and meetings, and timely completion of case documentation, reports, and supervision notes. The Lead Case Manager also leads community outreach and recruitment events, helps deliver group workshops, supports onboarding and training of new staff and interns, and may represent the team at partnership meetings. The role requires adherence to detailed confidentiality and records-management standards. Staff must be willing to adjust work hours to client needs, travel within a 50-mile radius of the Turning Points Office, and attend evening home visits. The position is non-exempt and reports to the Family Finding Supervisor.

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 in response to client needs and attend evening home visits.
Strong written and oral presentation skills.
Accuracy, attention to detail, strong organization, and ability to multitask and prioritize.
Use of a currently inspected car each day, 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 work relationships.
Ability to handle confidential information appropriately.
Typing and basic computer skills, including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
Ability to work independently and demonstrate good judgment.
Experience facilitating public meetings and other public forums.

Nice To Haves

Proficiency in both Spanish and English.

Responsibilities

Provide Family Finding services to assigned youth, using solution-focused questioning and other interview techniques to identify and connect youth with family and significant individuals.
Contact the assigned DHS or CUA worker in writing and by phone by the third business day after case assignment; notify the supervisor if repeated contact attempts do not result in communication.
Obtain case background and relevant documentation from CUA and intake, including records and forms needed for the case.
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.
Meet or contact youth by the seventh day of service and monthly as appropriate; conduct in-person intake barring unusual circumstances and complete and file the intake packet within five business days of the intake meeting.
Plan for and attend all hearings and meetings related to the caseload, including court and FTC meetings, and bring relevant reports or supervision notes to court hearings.
Identify at least 40 family members or acquaintances per case, documenting when barriers prevent reaching that number; search using program systems and social media and document searches in DHS Connect.
Send letters to identified people by the fifteenth day of service, follow up after one week, and make further contact attempts, including in-person visits when needed; document attempts and any supervisor-approved decision to forego letters.
Conduct regular field engagement, spending at least 20% of work time in the field with potential supports, clients, or professionals, including through home visits and other outreach.
Follow through on identified supports throughout casework and coordinate next steps with the CUA, Child Advocate, and other relevant professionals.
Maintain current contact documentation for communications with CUA, family members, youth, and other professionals; update contacts at least weekly and ensure records are current for midpoint and closing summaries.
Prepare detailed reports covering case background, placement and court history, program status, identified supports and their responses, and agreed-upon next steps; remedy corrections requested by the supervisor within 24 hours.
Prepare supervision notes one full day before supervision, including case background, updated family list, team communication, case progress, and next steps; complete supervision at least once in every two-week cycle.
At the end of service, explain next steps and termination of services to youth age 12 or older, send required termination or closing letters, and file copies in the official record.
Maintain confidentiality, handle sensitive information appropriately, and follow office and file-security standards, including restrictions on releasing family and Accurint information.
File case documentation at least weekly, including intake forms, search results, correspondence, case-history records, reports, termination forms, follow-ups, self-audit sheets, and other required documents.
Lead community outreach and recruitment events and bi-monthly group workshops, including collaborating on topics and preparing agendas or PowerPoint materials.
Assist with onboarding and training new staff and interns, including facilitating shadowing in the field or office.
Maintain confidentiality regarding Family Finding team matters and work with the supervisor or director to address concerns promptly.
Attend relevant training, workshops, and classes and share applicable learning.
Represent the team at internal and external partnership meetings when the supervisor is unable to attend.