Foster Care Case Worker

POSITION SUMMARY

The Foster Care Case Worker is responsible for providing complete case management services for up to 12 youth placed in foster homes. Case management services include ensuring that the child’s emotional, behavioral and physical needs are met through appropriate community services, providing support/guidance and training to the child’s foster parents, providing leadership to the child’s treatment team and actively engaging with the child’s family of origin.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

● Ensure foster homes meet required LCPA standards and foster parents are operating under

agency policy and procedures through regular home visits.

● Supervise youth in foster homes.

● Educate and counsel by guiding the youth and developing a supportive relationship that promotes the service plan.

● Interview children and families (foster families and families of origin).

● Service planning, including providing leadership to the treatment team and developing written service plans.

● Coordinate referrals and services to ensure that the youth has comprehensive, continuous

access to all needed medical, social, educational, mental health and other appropriate services.

● Continually review and update the youth’s plan of care via the treatment team process.

• Maintain the child’s electronic health record in an organized manner, meeting all deadlines.

● Advise youth and families in preparation for placement or discharge.

● Provide support, guidance and training to foster families.

● Ensure Families maintain compliance with all licensing requirements.

● Have regular contact with youth’s family of origin and others the youth identifies as positive supports.

● Work closely with Social Services and community service providers.

● Actively participate in meetings related to the youth such as court hearings, Family Partnership Meetings, and Family Assessment and Planning Team Meetings.

● Provide transportation for youth as needed.

● Participate in on-call rotation to support foster families.

● Conducting and writing home studies as needed.

● Carry out other duties as assigned.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

● Must be knowledgeable of the effects of abuse/neglect on development for youth and be able to work effectively with socially or emotionally maladjusted youth.

● Must have knowledge regarding administration of child-placing activities.

● Experience and/or education around laws governing foster care.

● Able to communicate well verbally and in writing.

● Demonstrate initiative and ability to work independently.

● Must be able to organize and prioritize tasks well.

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Education:

● Bachelor's degree in social work or in a field related to social work such as, but not limited to, sociology, psychology, special education, or counseling and one year of experience providing casework services to children and families OR

● A Masters degree in social work from a college or university accredited by the Council on Social

Work Education or a field related to social work such as, but not limited to, sociology, psychology,

special education, or counseling Or

● A baccalaureate degree in any field

Experience:

● A student placement in casework services to children and families OR one year of experience

providing casework services to children and families required for a doctorate or masters degree

candidate with a degree in social work or a related field.

● One year of experience providing casework services to children and families required for a

baccalaureate degree candidate with a degree in social work or a related field.

● Two years of experience providing casework services to children and families required if

baccalaureate degree is not in social work or a related field.

● Experience working at a Licensed Child Placing Agency preferred.

Computer Skills: Must be comfortable using Microsoft Office and Google Workspace. Must also be able to utilize an Electronic Health Record.

Certificates &Licenses: All drivers must have and maintain a valid driver’s license and are required to maintain an acceptable driving record.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $36,000.00 - $45,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Patient demographics:

• Adolescents
• Children

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Evenings as needed
• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Application Question(s):

• Could you outline your familiarity with the effects of trauma on children and families? Please illustrate how you've applied this knowledge to effectively assist individuals and families coping with trauma-related issues.

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Experience:

• Case management: 1 year (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Forest, VA 24551: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person