Case Planner Foster Care + Adoption - Child & Family Services of NY : Job Details

Description

Child and Family Services (C+FS) Foster Care Program provides temporary, safe, and loving homes for children and supports parents/caregivers in developing the skills they need to achieve family reunification. When reunification is not possible, our program helps secure permanency through adoption. This program plays an essential role in our agency's 150+ year mission of nurturing a healthier and more equitable Western New York.

Position Summary:

The Case Planner is a social services professional who manages the overall care and permanency plan for children placed in the agency's foster care program. This critical position takes on case management and planning responsibilities that include assessing the needs of children and families and developing individualized service plans, working with the foster care team to coordinate other supportive services, conducting home visits, facilitating family reunification efforts, preparing court summaries, and engaging in concurrent planning activities to ensure timely permanence for child if reunification is not possible.

What does a day on the job look like for the Foster Care Case Planner?

• Manages an assigned caseload of children in the Foster Care/Adoption program and provides casework services to ensure the child's safety and well-being and support the child's permanency planning goal.

• Provides casework services and support to birth parents in meeting court ordered requirements to achieve family reunification; facilitates concurrent planning to ensure timely permanence for child if reunification is not possible.

• Works in collaboration with Erie County Department of Social Services and maintains on-going communication with the case worker and other service providers in facilitating child's permanency plan.

• Manages the transition of children in placement from one setting to another (e.g. birth parents' home to foster home, foster home to birth parents' home or adoption home etc.).

• Participates in Family Court proceedings including providing timely documentation to ECDSS and the court.

• Supports foster parent's skill development to best meet the needs of children in their care.

• Maintains progress notes, case record documentation, and required reports in accordance with district requirements and NYS regulations.

• Models and practices sensitivity, fair treatment and acceptance of diversity in all interpersonal interactions.

• Participates and contributes to program Quality Improvement and Utilization review process.

• Maintains positive working relationships with program staff and others within the agency. Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills during interactions with internal and external customers.

• Maintains and submits all required documents and complies with all aspects of the Vehicle Safety and Usage Policy.

Shift Information:

Requires the ability to accommodate a flexible schedule that includes traditional business hours and evenings to meet the needs of the children and families on caseload. As a Case Planner, you can expect to spend approximately 75% of your time in the community performing home visits, transporting children to visits, attending court hearings and approximately 25% of your time in the office performing other tasks. This varies based on the needs of the children in the program but is intended to provide candidates with an idea of a day on the job.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in social work or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience. Master's degree in social work preferred.

• At least two years of child welfare experience; direct foster care experience preferred

• Valid New York State driver's license and insurance required

• Must have reliable transportation for frequent travel throughout Western New York, primarily Erie County when agency vehicles are unavailable.

• Must be available to work a flexible schedule that includes regular evening hours for home visits and community events and participation in the program's telephonic on call rotation

• Possess strong computer/technology skills, attention to detail, and organization

• Possesses a calm, compassionate demeanor in person and on virtual platforms and telephone

• Demonstrated commitment to family-centered, trauma-informed care

• Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with foster parents, program staff, and external healthcare providers.

• Team player mindset with a commitment to working collaboratively within the Foster Care program and across agency departments.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to lift and carry small children in and out of transport vehicles

• Must be able to drive in transport vehicles for extended periods of time

• Standing, walking, climbing and occasional lifting of 30 pounds

• Must be able to walk and move easily to physically supervise visits in the community

Competitive Pay Rate: $23-$25 per hour based on experience, based on a 37.5 hour work week

CFS offers full-time employees the below benefits to support our employees and their families and help to create a healthy work environment.

• Paid Time Off (PTO) –20 PTO Days (25 Days After Five Years of Employment)–14 Paid Holidays (includes 2 flex holidays)– Bereavement: Four Paid Days– Paid Jury Duty

• Employer Paid Life Insurance

• Medical, Two Plan Options

• Dental, Two Plan Options

• Vision Insurance

• Wellness Program and Incentives

• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Quarterly Employer-Contributions

• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

• Dependent Care FSA

• Employee Referral Bonus

• Qualifying Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)

• 403(b) Right Away and Employer-Contributions After Two Years (1000 hours each year)

Child & Family Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer:

Child & Family Services provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran or familial status, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Child & Family Services complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Qualifications

Education

Required

• Bachelors or better in Social Work

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights ( notice from the Department of Labor.