Foster Care Case Manager

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Foster Care Case Manager provides ongoing case management, support, advocacy, and education to Sunbeam foster families and foster children. This position works closely with the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) to coordinate appropriate care and services, ensure continuation of foster family certification, and upholds safety expectations for foster families and the children in their care. The Foster Care Case Manager assists in recruitment and retainment efforts of Sunbeam foster families and serves as an advocate for families and children in the foster care system.

All employees and volunteers are expected to be sensitive to our clients’ cultural and socio-economic characteristics, reflect Sunbeam Family Services core values and to perform at Sunbeam’s standards of excellence at all times.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS                                                            

• Promote and contribute to a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures, beliefs, abilities, and experiences.
• Demonstrate capacity for providing developmentally sensitive, hope centered, trauma informed relationship-focused evidence-based/informed services and supports. 

• Provide ongoing case management services to foster families and foster children, including assessment, monitoring, phone support, crisis management, and coordination of services and placements.
• Conduct and document face-to-face individual interviews with each family and child at least once per month or more often if needed to continually assess the needs and competencies of the foster family and ensure the safety of the children.
• Maintain consistent contact (verbal or written) with foster families to provide ongoing support, connection to resources, and ensure a stable and nurturing environment for children.
• Perform all aspects of admissions and discharges, including identifying placement considerations, coordination with families and Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS), and completion of accurate documentation within 24 hours, or as otherwise required by program.
• Engage in a process of collaborative partnership building with foster families, OKDHS or other stakeholders to ensure permanency needs of children are met.
• Represent and advocate for the comprehensive needs of foster families within interdisciplinary teams and the child welfare system.
• Participate in 10-day staffing of investigations and develop proactive written plans of compliance for foster families as necessary.
• Complete annual updates, reassessments, and assessments as necessary to maintain or establish foster family certification.
• Perform Resource Family Assessments to assist in the timely certification of families in the pipeline on an as needed basis.
• Assist in the development and implementation of foster family annual training plan, ensuring training hour requirements are met by each foster family on a yearly basis.
• Provide training or support groups as needed.
• Assist in the development and implementation of detailed recruitment plan and engage in recruitment activities.
• Serve as on call support and crisis intervention for foster families on a rotating basis with other members of the foster care team staff.
• Completes required documentation in a timely manner and ensure all documents are uploaded to the designated electronic record keeping system within 48 hours of completion.
• Notify supervisor immediately of any crisis or child abuse and neglect situations and submit appropriate documentation to OKDHS and Sunbeam.
• Provides transportation of foster children as needed to assist foster families.
• Assist with gathering information and documentation for program audits.
• Actively participates in the Performance Quality Improvement process by understanding program specific outcomes and assisting with collection of outputs and outcomes as needed.
• Participates in monthly and/or quarterly case record reviews as directed. 
• Perform required and other assigned duties in a manner that demonstrates compliance with Sunbeam and program policy / procedures and applicable grants/contracts.
• Represent Sunbeam in community collaborations and events as directed by supervisor.
• Promote culturally sensitive practice.
• Travel locally as required in the performance of responsibilities.
• Perform other appropriate and related responsibilities as assigned by supervisor, Senior Program Director, Chief Program Officer, or Chief Executive Officer.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS            

WORKING CONDITIONS          

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to frequently communicate with, supervisor, staff, families, OKDHS, and others, and must be able to exchange accurate information when doing so. Must be able to endure remaining in stationary position for extended periods (up to 50% of workday) and occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office equipment, attend meetings, etc. Occasionally must be able to move or lift up to 25 pounds at a time. Must be able to detect, discern, distinguish, observe, inspect and compare.

Work Environment

The employee will work in office and home environments. May work close quarters with other staff members, foster parents, and children. Frequent travel to other sites, facilities, and foster homes. The noise level in the work environment varies from quiet, moderate to loud depending on work setting. Extensive travel requires entering a family’s home. Work environment cannot be predicted when entering a family’s home. Possible exposure to strong odors such as soiled diapers, clothes, and poor hygiene.

Other

The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. The qualifications, physical demands, and work environment described herein are representative of those an employee will encounter and must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. These statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel or candidate and may be subject to change at any time. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

Sunbeam Family Services is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.  We are committed to fair and equal in all its employment practices for persons without regard to race, ethnicity, color, creed, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, religion, disability or degree thereof, national origin, domestic/marital status, political affiliation or opinion, veteran status, HIV status, AIDS status, genetic information, and any characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.