Specialized Foster Care Case Manager

Caritas Family Solutions•Mount Vernon, IL

3d•Remote

About The Position

The Specialized Foster Care Case Manager will collaborate with DCFS, youth, birth families, foster parents, and other identified supports to facilitate the achievement of permanency for specialized youth in care. Specialized Foster Care Case Managers will visit with members of the child and family team as required and work to identify any barriers to permanency and help secure supports and services to overcome identified barriers.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree or Masters Degree in Social Work (Related fields will be considered.)
Minimum of 2 years child Welfare experience or Masters Degree in social work or related field.
Child Welfare Employee License
Active Learning
Active Listening
Critical Thinking
Learning Strategies
Monitoring
Reading Comprehension
Speaking
Writing
Language — Able to read and write in English.
Coordination
Instructing
Negotiation
Persuasion
Service Orientation
Social Perceptiveness
Complex Problem Solving
Time pressure decision-making
Time pressure planning
Judgment and Decision Making
Systems Analysis
Systems Evaluation
Must display a willingness to adopt trauma informed interventions, principles, and practices as well as commitment to ongoing development of their capacity for application of trauma informed care.
Realizes the prevalence of trauma among persons served by Caritas and the general population.
Recognizes how trauma affects everyone involved-including clients, their families, staff, and community; and impacts behaviors.
Responds to trauma by actively implementing the guiding principles of trauma informed care into their daily practice.
Resists re-traumatization of persons served and staff providing services, by creating safe, welcoming, and supportive environments.
Proficient Computer Skills In: Outlook, Word, Database Management Software
Access to reliable transportation to get to/from work: Required.
Access to a reliable automobile: Required.
Must provide proof of auto liability insurance (and continue to while working in this position): Required.
Must possess a valid driver's license: Required.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's Degree in Social Work or in Human Services (Related fields will be considered.)
Child Welfare Employee License
Expert Computer Skills In: Outlook, Word, Database Management Software

Responsibilities

Provides case management services to children and families in foster care
Maintains and monitors youth in care placements to ensure safety, permanency, and well-being objectives are met as well as compliance with contract/program plan requirements.
Maintains current and accurate documentation of contact notes, case notes, and client records.
Coordinates and provides linkage to appropriate agency and community resources necessary for effective, efficient achievement of the permanency goal by established timeframe.
Establishes a therapeutic alliance and engage families, caregivers, and other service providers in the treatment process.
Maintains effective, consistent contact with therapists, attorneys, CASA, and/or any other community service providers, which includes facilitating and attending Child and Family Team meetings.
Prepares for and actively participate in all required meetings with DCFS
Attends and testifies in court hearings, as necessary
Meets with foster parents, birth parents, and youth monthly as required by policy, at minimum.
Develops & maintains service plan outcomes and interventions in correlation with the recommendations of the integrated assessment, needs of the family and youth, and timely permanency achievement, as well as family progress in reunification efforts.
Develops and maintains specialized treatment plans that addresses youth strengths, needs, promotes placement stability, minimizes youth’s special needs, and adequately supports the caregiver.
Collaborate with licensing department on implementation/completion of specialized foster parent training.
Partners with Licensing Specialist to ensure professional collaboration with foster parents
Maintains communication with Foster Care Case Assistant to ensure an appropriate visitation plan for the family and youth.
Participates in on-call system and schedule, as necessary
Attends and participates in supervision to ensure monthly supervision occurs on all cases with assigned Foster Care Supervisor
Completes all Caritas paperwork and complies with program expectations as related to the position
Identifies learning needs to develop and actualize educational and/or professional development goals.
Willingness to travel as this position requires frequent travel and vehicle use; follows agency and state guidelines regarding driving, rules of the road, and safety.