Foster Care Social Worker

The Village is accredited by the International Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) for its Adoptions, Foster Care, Mental Health, Wraparound, and Drop-In Center services. We deliver evidenced-based behavioral health services to children, youth and adults, and has long been at the forefront of culturally sensitive foster care and adoption services.

We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Social Worker to join our team! This is an exciting opportunity to become part of team in a growing organization. We offer competitive compensation packages, including benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of others, we encourage you to apply for this rewarding position. 

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The FCSW is responsible for the supervision of the treatment plans for the children on his/her caseload. The FCSW is responsible for working with the child, foster family, natural family, significant others, placing agency, and adjunct treatment persons to enable the child to attain his or her treatment goals. The position requires that the individual be knowledgeable of, and be in compliance with the applicable laws and regulations of the client population served and the programs provided. The individual must have the ability to work effectively with others, manage personnel and program issues as they apply to the position.

REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Master's Degree is required in a field approved by the State Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Regulations or
2. A Bachelor's degree in a behavioral science from an accredited college or university and three years of experience in a child welfare program and two years of employment in a licensed FFA. They may be granted an exception provided he/she completes the coursework and field experience requirements specified above.
3. Bilingual English/Spanish Required
4. Must possess a valid California Driver's License.
5. Statement of sound physical health from a licensed physician, including tuberculin skin test.
6. Fingerprint clearance from the Department of Justice, FBI and Child Abuse Index.
7. Must meet all requirements set by Community Care Licensing pertaining to the hiring of employees by a licensed community care facility.
8. Appropriate experience and education in a related field:
9. Ability to establish rapport with children and families as well as work effectively within the agency and the social work community at large.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

All of the responsibilities listed below are considered essential functions of this position. Additionally, this position is expected to ensure that the core operating values and the strategic direction of the agency are adhered to.

1. Conducts pre-admission screening and admission procedures.
2. Reviews children's file upon receipt.
3. Conducts intake meeting with child, natural family (if available), foster family and placement worker.
4. Completes the intake assessment of the children.
5. Completes the Intake Packet forms and gives copies of signed forms to all persons who signed the forms. Forms that have yet to be signed by parent/guardian, child, and/or placement worker will need to be mailed out immediately.
6. Places children in Certified Family Homes.
7. Develops an Appraisal/Needs Plan with input from the placement worker, the child, and natural parents (if appropriate and available).
8. Maintains a log of follow-up contact in the child's file.
9. Keeps records of allowances for all foster children over four years old and assures allowances are spent appropriately.
10. Arranges, prepares, and leads all Initial and Quarterly Needs and Services Plans, and types full report within five (5) working days prior to the due date for supervisor's review. Following supervisor's approval, copies of these reports are to be sent immediately to the placing agency, and outside therapist (if involved). Goals are to be given to and discussed with the foster family.
11. Functions as liaison with the placement agency, the child's therapist, family, school personnel, supervisor and/or any other adjunct treatment persons. Provides all necessary paperwork for child's school enrollment and participation in therapy and other activities.
12. Provides weekly consultation to the foster parent, in the foster home, regarding the child's treatment. Consultation will consist of discussion of child's progress towards goals as defined in the Needs and Services Plan, as well as teaching and discussion of therapeutic interventions, disciplinary techniques and foster parent training.
13. Provides weekly face-to-face visit with each child to accomplish treatment goals, minimum of one of which shall be in the Certified Family Home. If a child has needs that require the services of an outside therapist for a particular issue, the social worker will collaborate with the therapist. This collaboration is necessary for purposes of consistency and support of the written treatment goals.
14. Documents child's weekly progress at home, school, and/or work, major incidents, visitation and other significant, collateral contacts.
15. A continual assessment of the Placed Children will be done to:
         a. Determine if the FFA can meet the Placed Child's Service needs;
         b. Facilitate and implement the Legal Permanency Plan;
The continued development and implementation of the Placed Child's Needs and Services Plan, including the Transitional Independent Living Plan.
16. Obtains approval from placement worker prior to allowing any contact between the child and others. Approves and facilitates all ongoing visitations with child.
17. Encourages foster parent to involve child in community activities and extra-curricular activities.
18. Completes the initial and continued evaluation, training, and monitoring of the Certified Foster Parents. Provides support services to the Certified Foster Parents including response capability 24 hours a day.
19. Coordinates child's discharge with placement worker, foster family and parent/guardian. Provides transportation if necessary.
20. Submits termination report to the Foster Care Supervisor within five (5) days.
21. Meets with supervisor for a minimum of one hour weekly of individual supervision and case consultation.
22. Maintains all client files.
23. Submits all incident reports, home studies and any other documentation to supervisor for approval.
24. Performs Quarterly foster home inspection and documents to ensure compliance with CCL regulations.
25. Completes initial home studies on prospective foster parents assigned by supervisor and makes recommendations with required certification. Submits foster parent home study updates to foster parent recruiter for annual re-certification required by CCL.
26. Completes staff training as required by the agency and CCL.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES-AS NEEDED:

1. Ensures educational needs of the children are being met by attending school meetings and IEP meetings

2. Assists supervisor with training of new staff

3. Prepares materials, attends and teaches on-going foster parent trainings as scheduled

4. Attends and/or facilitates foster parent training and support groups as directed by supervisor

5. Performs duties as assigned

DUTIES - DUTY WORKER SHIFT (OCCURS ONCE A WEEK):

1. Assists in all emergencies, placement duties, and office duties as needed. Fills in any emergency situation for other social worker or staff.
2. Makes outreach calls to community resources and placement workers.
3. Researches, obtains, and/or assists foster parents in obtaining appropriate professional and community services.
4. Shares the duties of intake and placement with the Intake Coordinator.
5. Takes charge of intake when Intake Coordinator is unavailable.
6. Reviews the vacancy list and coordinates any pending intakes with the Intake worker and checks in with the receptionist.
7. Stays on-site when on shift.
? Monitored visits are to be scheduled on any day other than the duty day.
? If the duty worker will be absent on his/her scheduled day, s/he needs to find a replacement worker.
8. Uses intake referral form for all intake calls.

Physical Requirements

Some positions in this class may require the incumbent to be able to:

• Sit for periods up to one hour while driving to home visits.
• Climb flights of stairs to reach residence.
• Lift infants and toddlers weighing up to 40 pounds.
• Carry automobile child safety seats.
• Have sufficient vision to assess physical condition of clients and home environment.

Working conditions

Some positions in this class may require the incumbent to:

• Be exposed to hostile, emotionally disturbed or mentally ill persons and/or confrontational interpersonal situations.
• Work during non-routine hours, standby and/or callback.
• Work outside in all types of climatic conditions including inclement, very hot and/or cold weather.

The Village Family Services provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $32.00 - $32.50 per hour

Benefits:

• 403(b)
• 403(b) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• On call

Experience: Child welfare: 3 years (Preferred)

Language: Spanish (Required)

Ability to Commute: Throughout LA County (Required)

Willingness to travel: 50%

Work Location: Hybrid remote in North Hollywood, CA 91606