Child Welfare Coordinator

Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) envisions a world where children are safe, families are strong, and communities are vibrant

LSF Manatee County CMO is looking for a talented Child Welfare Case Manager who wants to make an impact in the lives of children and families.

Candidates residing in the State of Florida are preferred.

Training locations will be in Tampa, Pinellas, or Fort Myers with paid mileage for both locations.

Purpose & Impact :

The purpose of the Child Welfare Case Manager, in partnership with various individuals and groups within the child welfare system and community, is to ensure and promote the social, physical, psychological and emotional well-being and safety of the children and families they serve.

The Case Manager maintains case ownership responsibility as the integrator of all services and supports identified for each child, including therapy, mental health services, health and dentistry, developmental services, educational support, permanency and safety.

The Case Manager manages cases toward goals recorded in case plans while adhering to Florida Statutes, Administrative Code, written policies and orders of the Dependency Court. The Case Manager reports to the Case Management Supervisor.

Essential Functions :

• Accept all cases assigned by unit supervisor and meet with children in their primary residence within 2 working days of ITR staffing and with identified parents in sufficient time to complete a Family Assessment within 15 working days of ITR staffing.
• Negotiate and develop a case plan based on identified strengths and needs of the family, the circumstances bringing the family into care, recommendations provided by the Comprehensive Behavioral Health Assessment and other relevant data. This plan is to be created in collaboration with the parents, Guardian Ad Litem, foster parents and other pertinent parties with the goal of reunification or other permanency for the child.
• Visits the child in their primary residence according to required frequency, but no less than once every 25 days. At least one visit each quarter is to be unannounced.
• Accurately document all case activities in the Florida Safe Families Network database within 48 hours. Maintain the physical case file in chronological order, by subject, in accordance with the standardized case file format.
• Submit service requests to the lead agency Utilization Management Department, and provide clients with timely referrals to services. Develop and maintain knowledge of community resources, program eligibility requirements, key contact persons, emergency procedures, and waiting lists of available resources. Maintain regular contact with service providers and document service progress in FSFN.
• Complete and submit court documentation within in required time frames. Prepare for, attend, and participate in all court activities as necessary.
• Arrange for, attend, and participate in individual case staffings as necessary. Complete all required staffing and application packets.
• Conduct initial and / or ongoing child safety assessments as required. Prepare initial and on-going safety plans as necessary.
• Arrange for emergency placement, emergency medical treatment, and emergency services for children at risk.
• Conduct diligent searches for parents and family members when deemed necessary and thoroughly document that the effort has been made to find the parents and family members.
• Conduct home studies as required for prospective placements. Provide relevant medical, psychological, behavioral and educational background information about the child or children to prospective care-givers as needed. Plan and facilitate parental and sibling visits as needed and appropriate.
• Transport children as needed.
• Ensure that all Independent Living functions are completed as required
• Attend all appointments, staff meetings, trainings, seminars, workshops, etc., as necessary and as required by the supervisor.
• Function as agency on-call Case Manager as scheduled.
• Organize, prioritize and complete all work assignments by the established deadlines.

All duties are performed in accordance with the following standards :

Other Functions :

Perform other related duties and special assignments as required.

Physical Requirements :

Education :

Must possess a Bachelor's degree in a Human Services field. Degree in Social Work preferred.

Experience :

Must have a minimum of one year of relevant experience and certified or certified within one year.

Skills :

Other :

Must demonstrate sensitivity to our service population's cultural and socioeconomic characteristics and needs.

Principal Accountabilities :

Why work for LSF?

LSF offers 60 programs across the state of Florida serving a wide range of populations in need. Mission Driven staff members become part of the LSF community while transforming the lives of those in need. Our staff additionally find growth opportunities as they explore areas of interest within the organization.

Amazing benefits package including

LSF is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

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.