What are the responsibilities and job description for the Social Worker Foster Care position at Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland?
Looking for a rewarding career with a purpose?
If you are a compassionate and dedicated person looking for an opportunity to make a difference in society, we encourage you to apply. Catholic Charities isn’t just an organization that provides help to those in need in our communities—it’s a place where employees are encouraged to live purpose driven lives, professionally and personally. Join our team as we provide help and create hope for those in need.
At Catholic Charities, we serve everyone, regardless of belief or background, and we employ qualified individuals who commit to our mission with the goal of transforming lives for the better. One need not be Catholic to join our workforce nor to access our services.
Benefits:
- Health Insurance starting your first day
- Tuition Reimbursement
- 401k plan including employer match
- Competitive Time Off Benefits
- Career Planning and Development
- And more!
- Pay range: $20.00- $22.74 per hour
Social Worker Foster Care
As a Social Work at Catholic Charities, you will perform as a team member with existing public and/or private agency staff in the coordination of services to ensure successful placement, referral and follow up services for children and families. Complete required documentation as per contracts and/or agreements with public children's services agencies and/or private contract agencies. In addition, ensure that all activities and documentation are in compliance as required per contract agreements, state/federal laws and Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) rules and regulations.
Responsibilities:
- Under direction, ensure that the activities of this position and the relevant programs are consistent
with the mission, vision and values of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland. - Monitor assigned foster homes to assure ODJFS standards are met.
- Demonstrate knowledge of current Child Welfare practices and approaches consistent with local, regional and national initiatives and applicable State and National Legislation. Must remain committed to receiving on-going training relevant to Foster Care and ensuring foster families are in compliance with ODJFS.
- Maintain and meet all required continuing education as defined by system, certification, assessor requirements and Ohio licensure boards as appropriate.
- Monitor individual care plan for foster children and conduct necessary assessments and treatments as therapeutic needs arise.
- Participate in quality improvement activities; attend appropriate court hearings and case staffing on a consistent basis.
- Supervise/evaluate foster caregivers and foster children.
- Participate in on-going supervision to ensure quality of services within foster care services.
- Understand the usage of, and appropriately complete system documents, reports and client records.
- Implement, utilize and/or participate in system policies, procedures, and operations by: following directives of clinical/administrative staff, designee, or responsible party assisting in the efficient and professional operation of site business and serving as a liaison to other sites and/or departments.
- Demonstrate the ability to meet system expectations for direct services with clients and families as defined within the scope of service.
- Respond to pager and phone calls on an on-going and emergency basis to meet the needs of foster and biological families.
- Understand the rights of clients in care and demonstrate cultural diversity and sensitivity. Is aware of and responsive to the cultural diversity needs presented by clients/families seeking services.
- Knowledgeable and responsive to cultural diversity issues presented in the coordination of services for families.
- Provide transportation to assist foster families with transportation needs of the foster children to medical appointments, family visits and/or other therapeutic related activities.
- Assist foster families in transportation needs of the foster children and/or other therapeutic related activities.
- Provide and ensure the safety and rights of each client to whom direct service is provided by adhering to client right policies; providing clients with access to the child advocate; and reporting violations of client rights to appropriate supervisory personnel.
- Provide access to the system child advocates and copy of grievance procedures to ensure rights and reporting to appropriate supervisory personnel.
- Provide information to families about their rights and a description of services.
- Perform other duties as necessary to accomplish objectives.
Requirements:
- Combination of education and experience normally represented by a bachelor’s degree in social work, Human Services or related field with 1-3 years related professional experience in an Adoption/Foster Care Agency in the coordination of services for children and families.
- Must have LSW or licensure eligible.
- Must be familiar with ODJFS rules and regulations for Foster Care and Adoptions.
- Must be at least 21 years of age at the time of hire.
- Home-study Assessor trained or in the training process and experienced in Home-study/Recertification and Supervision.
- Knowledgeable and responsive to cultural diversity issues presented in the coordination of services for families.
- Knowledge of FACSIS and ODJFS Administrative process and procedures for Certification/Recertification recommendations for Foster Care/Adoption.
- Must be able to effectively and productively work with people of very diverse economic, cultural and administrative backgrounds.
- Must have competent oral, written and interpersonal communication skills.
- Must be able to form good working and therapeutic relationships.
- Good working knowledge of computers and familiarity with Microsoft Office software.
- Must have competent organizational skills, strong detail orientation and the ability to work independently and maintain confidentiality.
- Must have a valid Ohio Driver’s License, provide copy of driver’s license, and are subject to a Moving Vehicle Report (MVR) check through the Department of Motor Vehicles annually. Any MVR grade of “unacceptable” is not permitted to operate a personal vehicle on behalf of Catholic Charities.
- Must have reliable means of transportation for local travel.
- Must provide proof of auto insurance including effective dates of coverage and maintain minimum liability insurance coverage of $100,000 per individual and $300,000 per occurrence for driving personal vehicle.
- On call availability for emergencies, crisis intervention and advice/consultation.
- Final applicant is required to be fingerprinted to complete background check