Social Worker, Austin

Casey Family Programs • Austin, TX

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

Casey Family Programs is seeking a Social Worker in Austin to join their Child and Family Services (CFS) team. CFS provides direct services and tribal consultation to reduce the need for foster care and build Communities of Hope. The Social Worker will utilize a collaborative, innovative, evidence-informed, trauma and healing approach to engage families and community partners in the pursuit of permanency and well-being for children and families. The role involves clinical case management and support activities primarily within homes and the community, with virtual options available. The Social Worker is responsible for coordinating and delivering services to children, youth, young adults, and families involved with or at risk of entering the child welfare system. The goal is to improve outcomes in safety, permanency, and well-being, ensuring young people experience belonging and connection to family, community, and culture, thereby reducing foster care entry and length of stay. The position requires on-call availability for crisis situations and effective collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, supervisors, and court personnel to mitigate barriers to timely permanency.

Requirements

• Master’s Degree in Social Work or related field from an accredited institution, that includes a clinical internship or practicum.
• A minimum of five years clinical experience in child welfare or other child and family service-related practice is required.
• Broad knowledge of social work practice and clinical theory, including assessment and intervention skills in family systems approach, is essential.
• Expertise in the areas of permanency, improved well-being outcomes for youth in care, and family engagement, community support and evidenced based and promising practices aimed at strengthening families and ensuring child safety required.
• Clinical expertise in the area of family systems and knowledge in the areas of substance abuse, mental health and domestic violence necessary.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, respect for tribal sovereignty, and respect for cultural, racial, and gender difference is required.
• Personal qualities demonstrating adaptability, curiosity, collaboration and a capacity for self-reflection and commitment to lifelong learning are a must.
• Ability to contribute effectively with and across teams and with external partners necessary.
• Ability to perform effectively in high pressure and stressful work environment.
• Ability to manage stress and self-care.
• This position is full-time requiring time in the field and the office, therefore full-time teleworking is not an option.
• Regular and reliable attendance is required.
• Physical requirements include the ability to lift and reach for light objects; ability to type and work at a computer for extended periods of time as a primary job function.
• Ability to protect the confidentiality of sensitive information by learning and following all relevant policies and protocols and using sound judgment in the handling and sharing of that information.
• Local travel as well as occasional out of town travel may be required.
• Driving on Casey business may require use of personal vehicle; adherence to vehicle safety guidelines and qualification for insurance is require.

Responsibilities

• Provides case management services for children, youth, young adults and families, in accordance with CFS practice standards, local regulatory requirements and accreditation standards.
• Conducts clinical assessment of individual and family safety/functioning/needs.
• Assesses and identifies pathways and barriers to legal and relational permanency.
• Arranges for supportive and ameliorative services that address permanency and well-being needs, such as social emotional, educational, employment/vocational.
• Works effectively with the local child welfare jurisdiction, tribes, and community partners to achieve identified outcomes.
• Maintains a focus on connection to family, community, and culture for all clients served.
• Assesses the need for relevant services and coordinates with vendors in securing the delivery of services and follows outlined office procedures for specific requests.
• Complies with all documentation requirements for internal and external audits of case records and documents work to inform best practice in expediting permanency in foster care.
• Guides the process towards permanency and improved well-being by engaging all stakeholders in the development of assessment and implementation of goals and service strategies.
• Develops effective teaming, intensive relationships with clients, families and support networks, public system workers and supervisors, members of the judiciary and community service providers, and effective partnerships with all field office colleagues.
• Implements service strategies requiring application of clinical knowledge related to mental health, Family Group Decision Making, family finding and birth family engagement, promotion of positive outcomes in permanency, education, employment, trauma and healing informed approaches and modalities, building life skills inclusive of the unique needs and family dynamics of kinship caregivers, and maximizing community supports and resources.
• Engages birth parents for reunification, relative and non-related caregivers for adoption/guardianship, and identifies needed post permanency support to ensure stability and longevity of legal and relational permanence.
• In collaboration and close teaming with Family Engagement Liaison, coordinates, determines and implements the selected Family Group Conferencing (FGC) plan.
• Coordinates teaming activities to expedite improved outcomes for all clients served and to support a continuous learning environment.
• Participates in clinical staffing processes as both recipient and contributor to service review.
• Partners with field office staff to ensure that clients are effectively served through the duration of service and actively engaged in ongoing learning activities.
• Participates in staff meetings to assess referrals/resource families, analyze data to inform practice/program improvements and identify process improvement to ensure field office goals are met.
• Uses alternative technology, such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams to accomplish work.
• May consult, teach, facilitate groups, and assist in the advancement of learning of targeted youth, professionals, and families.
• Provides expertise to external partners through Demonstration and Spread efforts, such as service reviews and teaming processes, in jurisdictions around the country to promote improved permanency outcomes.
• Serves on various workgroups or committees.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Works and communicates effectively across differences with diverse services, populations, staff and stakeholders to advance diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Works effectively in a team environment as well as works autonomously and exercises independent judgment as required.
• Demonstrates effective organizational, analytical, critical thinking, and problem solving skills.
• Collaborates with management and staff to ensure alignment with organizational values, goals, and directives in all work performed.

Benefits

• medical, dental and vision coverage
• accrual of 12 days of annual leave
• 12 days of sick leave
• 10 paid holidays per year
• one personal holiday to use each calendar year
• up to eight weeks of parental leave for the birth or placement of a child for adoption or foster care (for employees meeting tenure qualifiers)
• three-month sabbatical with pay (for employees with 10 years of continuous, full-time regular employment)
• opportunities for continued learning, training, and development

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level