Case Manager (Bilingual)

The Case Manager provides case management to children and families during and after placement with Casa de Esperanza. The Case Manager is responsible for ensuring the children in placement and at home are safe and have their needs met. This role entails developing and accurately documenting Plans of Service and all other required documentation, providing resources and referrals to needed services, and contributing to building strong families. The Case Manager also liaises with other agencies to ensure families make progress toward their Plans of Service. The Case Manager shares responsibility in an on- call rotation to meet the needs of clients on their own and others’ caseloads. The Case Manager manages the Casa de Esperanza pantries and conducts outreach to network with other organizations. CLASSIFICATION: Full-Time/Non-Exempt (Salaried) EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree required EXPERIENCE: Two years of experience in child welfare, residential child-care, or a related field REMOTE ELIGIBILITY: This position is eligible for remote work one day per week MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Bilingual (English and Spanish) Completed Application and References Cleared Background Check Clear Pre-Employment Drug Screen Valid Texas Driver’s License held for at least two years TB Screening Annual flu vaccination This position requires availability on evenings, weekends, and outside of typical of business hours and participation in on-call rotation KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES: Knowledge of and empathy for the concerns of the children, birth families, foster, and pre- adoptive families Understanding of the impact of early trauma and attachment disruption Ability to develop strong relationships and allow clients to feel supported, understood, and listened to while setting appropriate boundaries Effective oral communication skills; active listening and strong interpersonal skills Strong writing skills with the ability to accurately document case Patience, flexibility, and adaptability Sound judgment Ability to assess child safety factors to maintain the child’s safe environment in the foster, biological family, and/or pre-adoptive home and during supervised family visits Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues Ability to represent Casa positively to community partners and other organizations Ability to work with a high degree of independence and take initiative Strong organization and time management skills with the ability to meet deadlines and prioritize competing tasks Problem-solving abilities Knowledge of community resources; ability to help clients navigate health, housing, education, and other systems Proficient in Microsoft Office; knowledge or ability to learn database management Bilingual (English and Spanish) preferred REPORTS TO: Director of Family Services ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITES: Casework for children and birth parents while the child is in foster care Supervise the child’s placement in the foster home which includes: Conduct supervision visits; communicate with Foster Parents and/or children in office visits and telephone contacts. Assess and document: The child’s adjustment to foster care and to the foster home The child’s medical, developmental, and psychological needs and the foster family’s ability to meet them The child’s permanency plan and steps to achieve permanence Ensure that the foster home meets standards set by Residential Childcare Licensing and Casa de Esperanza Provide support to Foster Parents to meet child(ren)’s needs Provide case management for birth parents of children on caseload including: Communicate with parent about child’s needs and progress in care Locate non-placing parents and clarify parental relationships Provide direct assistance to birth parent clients as they navigate assistance from community agencies offering financial, medical, educational, professional, psychological, and other necessary services Plan of Service: Develop a Plan of Service for every child and birth parent on assigned caseload Ensure that Foster Parent obtains recommended services for child Provide birth parents resources and referrals according to the service plan Document progress on service plans Present service plans at scheduled Plan of Service meetings Family Visitation: Schedule and supervise family visitation for children on caseload Document visitation accurately Transport children to/from family visitation as needed Case Coordination: Communicate with those involved in the family’s case including DFPS caseworkers, attorney ad litems, Child Advocates, medical professionals, schools, and therapists Attend and participate in court hearings, DFPS staffings, and other related meetings as needed Obtain medical and birth records for the child Obtain documentation for children (such as Birth Certificates) Casework for families following foster care placement Maintain a caseload of families post-placement Visit the family in the family’s home and/or Casa office to observe the safety and wellbeing of child(ren) Provide family with support and resources Intakes & Discharges Complete admission paperwork for children being placed with Casa de Esperanza Coordinate and complete discharges for children exiting from Casa de Esperanza’s care Training, Screening, and Licensing of Foster Parents Participate in screening, training, and licensing of potential Foster Parents as a member of the Family Services team Documentation Accurately document all relevant and appropriate information related to the child, parents, and/or families in accordance with agency standards, state licensing requirements, and other federal, state, and local regulatory requirements Identify and correct any incomplete documentation in a timely manner Enter documentation into the online database system and paper files Ensure all documentation is presented in a professional, thorough, and accurate manner Participate in on-call rotation Be available during scheduled on-call times for intakes, discharges, serious incidents, and other emergencies that may arise Additional Responsibilities Represent the agency at community foster parent trainings, occasional recruitment events, special events, and/or other community meetings as needed Manage the agency food pantry and diaper/clothing pantry Other duties as assigned PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The position entails exerting up to 10 lbs. of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. The position entails occasionally lifting/moving up to 40 pounds including lifting food, diapers, and other supplies being provided to clients. The position involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking, standing, and/or climbing stairs for periods of time. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The employee must use oral communication with clients; use auditory skills to assess and respond to clients. The employee must be able to maintain his or her emotional regulation in response to a client’s potential outbursts or emotional distress. The employee must complete documentation on paper and electronically. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.