General Summary – Youth Caseworker performs case management duties for up to 15 residents and their families or guardians. Successful work includes a wide range of responsibilities for documentation, care coordination, liaison support, and coaching. Caseworkers are an integral part of the Residential service team, acting as the hub for connection, services, and information for each assigned resident, as well as an advocate for youth with family, guardians, school, and all service providers.

Education and Experience Needed

Must have a bachelor's degree and two years of experience working with children and youth

Fundamental Qualifications

Must be able to demonstrate awareness of the physical, cultural and socioeconomic differences of our clients and desire to support all; the ability to establish a respectful relationship with persons served to help them gain skills and confidence by maintaining a helping role and appropriately intervening to meet service goals; the ability to set appropriate limits.

Knowledge and Skills Needed

• Excellent time management skills and the ability to support multiple work assignments simultaneously

• Ability to take initiative and formulate a course of action to accomplish goals

• Must be adaptable and flexible in dealing with a variety of people and situations

• Ability to communicate clearly with a wide range of people including a variety of internal and external constituents

• Able to identify problems and resolve them in a timely and appropriate manner

• Must be able to prioritize and plan work to maximize efficiency

• required to empower team and provide accountability

• Creativity in approaching situations

Essential Functions:

Case Management

• Conducts initial assessment for residents on case load, including Ansell Casey Life Skills Assessment (ACLSA)

• Creates individualized Service Plan for residents

• Determines the goals and objectives for the resident based on assessed strengths and needs

• Conducts monthly service planning meetings, updates service plans based on any new information on the child and family or any changes in the resident’s situation

Communication and Documentation

• Connects with all DFCS caseworks on required schedule

• Prepares monthly Placement Reviews/Summaries, documenting the resident’s progress or lack of progress and documents the frequence of specific behaviors which are defined as a barrier to the resident’s discharge to the community or a lesser level of care

• Attends treatment team meetings, Pause Calls, and other meetings as requested to assist in information sharing and decision-making regarding needs for youth

Liaison Support

• Coordinates home visits and family visits on campus

• Acts as a liaison between the child, DFCS, and the family

• Acts as liaison between child and school, participating in IEP meetings and other school related events

• Participates in medical appointments as needed for residents

• Provides support to cottage staff in working with youth, as needed

Coaching

• Provide positive role-modeling to residents

• Promote self-esteem, healthy boundaries, good hygiene and appropriate personal appearance among youth

• Reinforce socially acceptable behaviors (i.e., manners, eating habits, safety)

• Teach and reinforce thoughtful decision making

Additional expectations

• Attend required trainings for position

• Provide casework service within the required organizational and state standards