Employee Type:

Full Time Department:

Child Welfare Reports to:

Foster Care Supervisor Position Summary:

Foster Care Case Managers play a pivotal role in advocating for children placed in foster care, ensuring children and families are receiving appropriate services for their needs, and collaborating with community service providers. Foster Care Case Managers work closely with families and the legal system toward permanency goals of reunification, adoption, independent living, guardianship, or other permanent living situations.

Qualifications:

Applicants must have possession of a Bachelor's or Master's degree in one of the following human services areas OR have possession of a bachelor's degree in any major with at least 30 semester hours (45 term) credits in one or a combination of the following: Social Work Community Services Sociology Special Education Psychology Counseling Psychology Criminal Justice Family Ecology Forensic Psychology Family and/or Child Development Education Education of the Gifted Law Enforcement Community Development Behavioral Science Education of the Emotionally Disturbed Gerontology Human Services-related Counseling (major) Family Studies Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Science Human Services Experience working with children and families is preferred but not required. 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 State of Michigan Sex Offender Registry Clearances Upon hire, a twelve-week pre-service training program is required to be completed. The training includes competency-based classroom and field training, and computer-based training. The employee must complete a minimum of 36 training hours annually. 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.

Required Documents:

Valid Driver's License Official Transcripts - Must have the following: University Seal/Watermark Signed by the registrar Electronic upload is accepted Show degree received and conferred date or include a letter from the registrar stating that you are in your final coursework

Job Functions:

Monthly face-to-face contact with biological parents, children, and foster families/relative caregivers Quarterly completion of assessments for the development of the Case Service Plans, Court Reports, and Parent Agency Treatment Plans Monitoring and documenting engagement and progress of community services engaged in, and making service referrals as appropriate and necessary Arrange placements for youth as necessary, and meet with youth in their placement per policy requirements Coordinate and supervise parenting time/sibling visits (if applicable) per policy requirements and/or as ordered by the court Participation or facilitation of Family Team Meetings or Team Decision Meetings at minimum quarterly Consulting with court personnel for purposes of evaluating appropriateness of court intervention and production of necessary court documents Testifying at court proceedings; providing updates regarding client progress in services and recommendations to the court Identify any socioeconomic or systematic barriers the family may have and explore resources available to address the needs/help reduce the barriers Provide direct services as needed Ongoing collaboration with MDHHS Maintain a flexible working schedule to accommodate parenting time, sibling visits, monthly home visits with youth and respond to case emergencies (determined by urgency level) Maintain up-to-date knowledge of agency and programmatic policy and procedure revisions Participate in monthly supervision meeting Daily updating of electronic system, case notes, and file retention Complete and maintain reports, forms, computer and hard files as required Access, understand, and use client related electronic systems and reports Rotating on-call schedule Perform other duties as assigned

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. Able to communicate adequately with clients, foster families, and other professionals, and provide in-home services to foster and biological families where the homes may not be barrier free.

Physical Demands:

Job duties require physical stamina and mobility to safely perform the essential functions of the position. Frequent driving and travel throughout the agency's service area may be required. Job duties may occasionally require extended or irregular work hours to safely transport clients, respond to emergencies, complete critical assignments, or ensure continuity of care and services. Job duties may require walking, standing, bending, lifting, carrying, loading and unloading materials, and transporting clients. Positions may require the installation and removal of child safety car seats. Corrected vision and hearing within the normal range are necessary to safely perform the essential job functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Pay:

From $19.50 per hour

Benefits:

401(k) matching Dental insurance Flexible schedule Health insurance Mileage reimbursement Paid time off Relocation assistance Retirement plan Vision insurance

Work Location:

Hybrid remote in Alpena, MI 49707