Job Purpose
Using professional opinion and independent judgment, provides case management services to children and foster/adoptive parents to ensure the safety, well-being, and most positive outcomes for children in our care. Coordinates services in cooperation with Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) case workers.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Evaluates the needs of the child; develops and updates Needs & Services Plan (NSP).
- Coordinates services in cooperation with DCFS case workers.
- Facilitates placement of children into appropriate certified foster/adoptive homes; liaison between families and the agency; ensures foster/adoptive families maintain current certification requirements.
- Supervises children in placement; conducts meetings with placed children and foster/adoptive families at regular intervals as required by regulations and in accordance with the child’s NSP.
- Provides clinical support services (e.g., accompaniment to school conferences, transportation, etc.) and relevant resources (e.g., referrals for medical, dental, counseling) to foster/adopt families to address a child’s transition into the foster home, and grief/loss issues resulting from a child’s reunification with birth family.
- Engages with child’s biological family members by coordinating and supervising court ordered visits to ensure a safe, positive experience; assessing and documenting quality of visit; supports both child and family interaction through coaching and education; recommends services and supports to biological family members to address barriers to reunification if applicable.
- Completes and updates case records and submits periodic reports on a timely basis according to agency policy and regulatory requirements.
- Responds in a timely and appropriate manner to emergency calls from foster/adopt parents; completes require special incident reports according to agency and regulatory requirements.
- Conducts site visits at foster homes to ensure ongoing compliance with requirements.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
• Master of Social Work, social welfare, marriage family and child counseling, child psychology, child development, counseling psychology, or social psychology from accredited college or university is required.
• Demonstrated working knowledge and application of child development, attachment theory, and family systems theory.
• 3+ years experience in child welfare and/or adoptions preferred (internship experience may be considered to meet the experience requirements).
• Intermediate Microsoft Office Skills.
• Excellent writing and case management skills; able to express concepts in a clear and concise manner.
• Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills; able to document case records and observation notes for child/family interactions efficiently and accurately.
• Capable of observing, assessing and discerning foster and birth parents’ abilities to provide safe and appropriate care for foster children.
• Current CA driver’s license, valid auto insurance, and reliable transportation; car must pass inspection and have the ability to transport children (newborn to adolescent) in a rear seat.
• Must be able to read, write, and communicate fluently in English.
• Satisfactory health screen and satisfactory TB test.
• Satisfactory Live Scan background check.
• Ability to handle the physical demands of the job, e.g., lifting, driving, etc.
Supervisory Responsibilities
This position has no staff supervisory responsibilities.
Working Conditions/Physical Requirements
• Generally sedentary indoor work in a variety of environments including office, vehicle, and prospective parent’s homes; some walking, climbing stairs, etc.
• Position requires regular local travel throughout Los Angeles County 0% of the time; may include driving at night and/or for long durations and distances.
• Prolonged periods of sitting.
• Extensive work on the computer.
• Frequent deadlines.
• Lift up to 20 pounds.
• Potential exposure to family pets during home visits.
We are an equal opportunity employer; reasonable accommodations will be provided to qualified individuals.
Required Training
• New Hire Orientation
• Mandated Reporter Training
• CPR/First Aid
• SAFE Trained * CSEC Training
• Other training as required by licensing and regulatory bodies
Type: Full-time.
To apply, please e-mail your resume to info@extraordinaryfamilies.org .