Case Manager - Independent Living

Job Description
Formulary PS and LPS positions - moving to this role.
BASIC PURPOSE OF THE JOB
The Permanency Specialist coordinates and delivery of appropriate services and level of care for youth.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Completes initial and ongoing assessments by gathering information from, children and their families, and collaterals.
• Responsible for initial contact of children within 4 hours of referral and subsequent placement.
• Researches and recommends possible relative placements, giving them priority, whenever viable.
• Facilitates and coordinates family meetings.
• Develops and implements case plans and permanency goals with children and families, ensuring that goals are reached within established time frames.
• Determines and recommends which services are needed for the child and family, including mental health, drug and alcohol services, respite care and supervised or unsupervised visitations/interactions.
• Assists families to establish a support network of family, kinship, and community.
• Preparing families and/or children for moves, reunification or other appropriate permanency goals.
• Provides intervention for children and families in crisis situations.
• Ability to work with the court system and follow court protocols including appropriate business attire.
• Assesses ongoing case plan goals and recommends reunification, termination of parental rights or other permanency options.
• Completes reports for court, participates in court participates in court proceedings, including testifying, and makes sure court orders are followed.
• Completes and maintains written documentation in child/family's case record accurately and within established time frames.
• Supports kinship and foster families to maintain placements and help children work toward permanency.
• If child's permanency goal becomes adoption, complete necessary documents to assist in the adoption process.
• Participates in supervisory and team meetings, sharing pertinent information about children/families' progress, critical trends, barriers and solutions to achieving outcomes; and relationships with other agencies/communities.
• Participates in monthly supervision.
• Works collaboratively and provides guidance to family support workers assigned.
• Supervises and transports children and families as needed.
• Reports critical incidents to DFPS verbally within 12 hours, written within 24 hours.
• Implements Saint Francis policies and follows directives as required. Follows and adheres to all pertinent Saint Francis Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's), rules, personnel policies and procedures; related accreditation and licensure standards; and federal, state and local rules, statutes, regulations, and contractual terms.
• Is knowledgeable of and follows all safety procedures.
• Reports unusual incidents through appropriate Risk Management, clinical and safety channels.
• Ensures clients' rights are protected.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Prefer a minimum of 40 hours in-service education per year
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements
REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

• Mandated reporter
• Receives training in trauma informed practice and incorporates knowledge in day to day practice
• Ability to work flexible schedule including on-call
• Understanding of family centered practice, genograms, ecomaps, and social histories
• Understanding of the child welfare and state system
• Ability to engage families in working relationships
• Understanding of child and adolescent development
• Demonstrates effective written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to travel throughout the State
• Consistently exercises discretion and independent judgment in performance of duties in conformance with applicable policies, procedures, statutes, rules and regulations
• Ability to work with minimal supervision
• Handles multiple priorities
• Independent discretion/decision making within the scope and responsibility of the position
• Manages emotions and can make decisions under pressure
• Manages stress appropriately
• Works alone effectively
• Works in close proximity to others and/or in a distracting environment
• Works with others effectively/teamwork
• Ability to work with diverse populations
• Understands and practices Universal Precautions

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Must be 21 years of age
• Must pass a drug screen, MVR, Criminal History and DFPS History Check, Centralized Background Check Unit Texas Health and Human Services Eligibility and any background checks deemed to be necessary.
• FBI Fingerprint Check
• Lifting requirements of 30-50 lbs.
• Must have valid driver's license, acceptable driving record and reliable transportation

MINIMUM WORK EXPERIENCE

• One-year child welfare direct service or related experience

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND LICENSURE/CERTIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in social work or related degree from an accredited college or university
• Master's degree in social work or related degree from an accredited college or university

CLIENT POPULATION SERVED

• Demonstrates competence and continues training in age-specific competencies for infant through adult clients