Child Welfare Caseworker

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Job description

Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) envisions a world where children are safe, families are strong, and communities are vibrant.

LSF is looking for a talented Child Welfare Case Manager who wants to make an impact in the lives of children and families.

Candidates residing in the State of Florida are preferred.

Purpose & Impact:

The purpose of the Child Welfare Case Manager, in partnership with various individuals and groups within the child welfare system and community, is to ensure and promote the social, physical, psychological and emotional well-being and safety of the children and families they serve.

The Case Manager maintains case ownership responsibility as the integrator of all services and supports identified for each child, including therapy, mental health services, health and dentistry, developmental services, educational support, permanency and safety.

The Case Manager manages cases toward goals recorded in case plans while adhering to Florida Statutes, Administrative Code, written policies and orders of the Dependency Court. The Case Manager reports to the Case Management Supervisor.

Essential Functions:

• Meet with children and families in their primary residence within 2 working days of case assignment
• Complete family assessments within specified timeframe
• Conduct home visits with children according to the required frequency, but no less than every 25 days
• Prepare for, attend, and participate in all court activities as necessary.
  • Complete and submit court documentation within in required time frames
• Arrange for, attend, and participate in individual case staffing's as necessary.
  • Complete all required staffing and application packets.
• Negotiate and develop a case plan in collaboration with the parents, Guardian Ad Litem, foster parents and other pertinent parties with the goal of reunification or other permanency for the child
• Accurately document all case activities in the Florida Safe Families Network database within 48 hours. Maintain the physical case file in chronological order, by subject, in accordance with the standardized case file format.
• Develop and maintain knowledge of community resources, program eligibility requirements, key contact persons, emergency procedures, and waiting lists of available resources. Maintain regular contact with service providers and document service progress in FSFN.
• Submit timely service requests to the lead agency Utilization Management Department
• Provide clients with timely referrals to services
• Conduct initial and/or ongoing child safety assessments as required. Prepare initial and on-going safety plans as necessary.
• Arrange for emergency placement, emergency medical treatment, and emergency services for children at risk.
• Conduct diligent searches for parents and family members when deemed necessary
  • thoroughly document that the effort has been made to find the parents and family members.
• Conduct home studies as required for prospective placements.
• Provide relevant medical, psychological, behavioral and educational background information about the child or children to prospective caregivers as needed.
• Plan and facilitate parental and sibling visits as needed and appropriate.
• Transport children as needed.
• Ensure that all Independent Living functions are completed as required
• Attend all appointments, staff meetings, trainings, seminars, workshops, etc., as necessary and as required by the supervisor.
• Function as agency on-call Case Manager as scheduled.
• Organize, prioritize and complete all work assignments by the established deadlines.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

Qualifications

Competencies (Skills/Knowledge & Abilities)

• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Technical proficiency (Including Microsoft Office and typing)
• Advanced self-management, planning and organization skills
• Ability to demonstrate sensitivity to our service population's cultural and socioeconomic characteristics and needs

Required/Preferred Education and Experience

• Minimum of 1-year relevant experience
• Bachelor's degree in a Human Services field, degree in Social Work required.

Additional eligibility qualifications

• Valid state driver's license and appropriate auto liability insurance required.
• Ability and flexibility to work extended hours, respond to emergencies during off hours, and frequent travel locally and through state as required
• Must obtain certification within 1 year

Why work for LSF?

LSF offers 60 programs across the state of Florida serving a wide range of populations in need. Mission Driven staff members become part of the LSF community while transforming the lives of those in need. Our staff additionally find growth opportunities as they explore areas of interest within the organization.

Amazing benefits package including:

• Medical, Dental and Vision
• Teladoc (24/7 online access to doctors)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employer paid life insurance (1X salary)
• 13 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday
• Generous PTO policy (starting at 16 working days a year)
• 403(b) Retirement plan with 3% discretionary employer match OR 3% student loan repayment reimbursement
• Tuition reimbursement

Lutheran Services Florida embraces diversity, equity and inclusion in all business practices. LSF is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

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