Foster Care Aide

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Employee Type:

Full Time Department:

Child Welfare Reports to:

Foster Care Supervisor and Executive Director Position Summary:

The Case Aide plays an important role with respect to communication among the Child Welfare Program. Support duties include gathering information from staff, fielding questions as needed from clients and other stakeholders and providing administrative support to various programs. Case Aides work closely with biological and foster families to create a safe, nurturing, and supportive environment.

Qualifications:

High School Diploma / GED required Experience working with children/adolescents and their families preferred CPR/First Aide Certification within 3 months of hire and to be maintained every 2 years Valid driver's license Clean criminal and Central Registry histories Good driving record. Reliable vehicle Applicants will obtain their CPR/First Aid certification within three months of hire and renewed bi-annually. Applicants shall have a good driving record, and pass Criminal History Background Checks, Central Registry Clearances, and State of Michigan Sex Offender Registry Clearances. Experience working with children and families is preferred but not required. Applicants must utilize the SOGIE (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression) framework to ensure affirming, safe, and inclusive environments for LGBTQ+ youth and adults.

Summary of Essential Job Function:

Monitor and facilitate parenting time visitation between foster child(ren) and the biological parent(s), sibling visits, and/or visits between a youth and a potential adoptive home. Transport foster child(ren) and/or biological parent as needed Assist program staff with entering social work contacts into MiSACWIS (must be able to qualify for MiSACWIS Security Clearance) Assist staff by calling parties to arrange for a Family Team Meeting General clerical duties including photocopying, fax and mailing Handle requests for information and data Maintain electronic and hard copy filing system Answer, screen and transfer inbound phone calls Administer drug screens Maintain confidentiality at all times with handling records and when communicating with others

Key Competencies:

Represent the agency in a positive and professional manner at all times by: Showing an optimistic, positive work attitude that focuses on empowering families. Being punctual to work, court hearings and other appointments. Maintaining a well-groomed appearance. Help mentor new staff. Uphold NEMIFRC's policies and philosophy. Form mutually respectful partnerships with persons served and their families, to assist them in building the skills and confidence needed to address issues and problems they may face. Understand and be sensitive to cultural issues as it relates to the person served and/or other family members. Demonstrate conviction about the capacity of others to grow and change. Ability to set limits and maintain the helping role of practitioner and intervene appropriately to meet the needs of those served or other family members.

Job Functions:

Monitor and facilitate parenting time visitation between foster child(ren) and the biological parent(s). Transport foster child(ren) and/or biological parent as needed Assist program staff with entering social work contacts into MiSACWIS (must be able to quality for MiSACWIS Security Clearance) Assist staff by calling parties to arrange for a Family Team Meeting General clerical duties including photocopying, fax and mailing Handle requests for information and data Maintain electronic and hard copy filing system Answer, screen and transfer inbound phone calls Maintain confidentiality at all times with handling records and when communicating with others

Key Competencies:

Represent the agency in a positive and professional manner at all times by upholding NEMIFRC's policies and team commitments. Maintain professionalism through demonstrating accountability, ethical judgement and personal integrity. Validate competency and understanding for cultural issues, socioeconomic and systematic barriers that clients may encounter. Create respectful partnerships with persons served by developing actionable solutions and assisting with resources needed to reduce socioeconomic and systematic barriers. Demonstrate conviction about the capacity of others to grow and change personally and professionally. Ability to enforce appropriate professional boundaries while maintaining the ability to provide appropriate assistance and resources to clients. Good, clear and concise, written and verbal communication skills, and effective listening skills. Effective and prompt communication with partners and clients is essential The ability to work effectively in both an individual and team setting; collaborating effectively with others. Demonstrate prioritizing, organizational, critical thinking, problem-solving, de-escalation, adaptability, and emotional resilience skills while thriving in ambiguous environments and recovering quickly from setbacks. Standard knowledge of modern technology, utilizing a cell-phone, and computer competency Engage directly in purposeful play with children while modeling positive, trauma-informed interaction skills to support and coach biological or foster parents

Work Environment:

Northeast Michigan Family Resource Center covers the following counties: Alcona, Alpena, Cheboygan, Crawford, Iosco, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, and Roscommon. Counties served may vary on program type and may extend statewide. Positions may be assigned to the main office, a regional field office, a hybrid schedule, or a fully remote environment. Utilization of a home office for remote or hybrid work is subject to the review and approval of the Program Manager and Executive Director. Program positions require office and field work flexibility. Various field work may occur in community settings, provider settings, schools, shelters, clients' homes, in-office, or outside. Requires travel and may require use of a personal vehicle if an agency vehicle is unavailable. Mileage compensation is provided for personal vehicle usage. Work schedules must be flexible and may require working outside of standard business hours, including early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and extensive day and night travel to various locations. Positions may require an employee to work in adversarial and hostile situations. The job can be emotionally stressful, with frequent crises and deadlines.

Pay:

From $16.50 per hour

Benefits:

401(k) matching Dental insurance Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person