Child Welfare Case Manager III

Job Summary:
We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Child Welfare Case Manager III to join our team at the Texas Department of Aging & Disability Services. As a key member of our Child Protective Services team, you will be responsible for providing case management services to children and families in need of temporary emergency services.

Key Responsibilities:
• Conducts and coordinates the development and implementation of clients' service and treatment plans.
• Coordinates with others the development and implementation of specific resources, services, daily care, and overall supervision needed by children in temporary emergency locations.
• Implements procedures that keep the environment free of safety hazards, including identification and reporting of potential safety hazards.
• Conducts and coordinates with a wide variety of entities the development and implementation of action plans to maintain a well-functioning collaborative environment.
• Administers and secures medications when needed and provides first aid when needed.
• Monitors, redirects, de-escalates, and intervenes as necessary on an individual or group basis in support of youth service and/or treatment plans.
• Seeks care and consultation as appropriate in the event of an urgent or emergent medical or behavioral health situation.
• Consistently documents medication administration, youth behavior, progress, and unusual incidents according to policy.
• Provides supervision, daily care, and transportation for children and youth that support individual needs, general site activities, and service and/or treatment plans.
• Consolidates and reviews case-related documentation and information in IMPACT of children and youth without placement to help identify and link youth with resources and services needed.
• Conducts and/or coordinates transition planning to ensure continuity of care and management of risk factors.
• Participates with assigned case management, as needed, to review incoming referrals, helps make case and room assignments, and updates other staff regarding the needs and preferences of youth entering or leaving the temporary emergency services location.
• Participates in the development of service plans and safety plans as needed for newly served youth. Updates these plans as needed.
• Collaborates with caseworkers, external service providers, and management to address barriers to placement and address the needs of children and youth during transitions out of the temporary emergency services location.
• Communicates needs and helps ensure the overall physical, behavioral/emotional, health, and educational/learning needs of the youth served are addressed to support successful transitions to placement.
• Coordinates, helps revise, and consistently implements annual, weekly, and daily schedules of services and activities to promote progress and support successful transitions to placement.
• Provides highly engaging and trauma-informed supervision of children and youth to address barriers to placement and achievement of positive outcomes for youth.
• Reviews clients referred to case management and tracks progress through the case management intake and screening process.
• Reviews client intake and screening documentation to track client progress.
• Reviews the plan of services, resources, and quality standards for children and youth without placement services to promote high-quality services, including alignment with person-centered goals and trauma-informed care.
• Maintains a focus on safety and well-being while in temporary emergency service locations and during transition to an appropriate placement.
• Reviews Child Protective Investigations and Statewide Intake reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of children or youth without placement that under DFPS care to address any issues of concern.
• Participates in the quality assurance and utilization review processes for case management to ensure quality services.
• Collaborates with assigned caseworkers and other professionals to monitor the quality, effectiveness, and utilization of resources in service and treatment plans.
• Reviews the plan of services, resources, and quality standards for children and youth without placement services to promote high-quality services, including alignment with person-centered goals and trauma-informed care.
• Assists staff to ensure that individual barriers to placement are identified and addressed.
• Works to maintain a focus on safety and well-being while in temporary emergency service locations and during transition to an appropriate placement.
• Prepares reports on service provider and program activities.
• Enters contact, case information, and narratives into the Information Management Protecting Adults and Children System (IMPACT) within required agency timeframes.
• Consolidates data to develop management reports identifying trends related to the supervision of children or youth without placements that are within DFPS care to chain of command.
• Completes incident reports and provides information to the primary caseworker and supervisor, and other appropriate staff/entities according to established DFPS policies and procedures.
• Identifies problem areas, service gaps, and areas that are barriers to services for clients.
• Reviews case management system to identify inefficiencies or lapse in services.
• Collects data from case management system to report needed improvements in areas of service.
• Develops and conducts presentations and orientations.
• Collects data to develop presentations for a wide variety of entities in order to maintain a well-functioning collaborative environment.
• Conducts orientation to agency staff and a variety of entities to maintain a well-functioning collaborative environment.
• Documents case records and prepares, and reviews reports and evaluations.
• Develops reports using case information and narratives from the Information Management Protecting Adults and Children System (IMPACT).
• Consolidates data to develop management reports and evaluations related to the supervision of children or youth without placements that are within DFPS care to chain of command.
• Assists in the development of policies and procedures.
• Collaborates with staff to develop business policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Provides input regarding business policies, procedures, and best practices for management to implement.
• Assists with program monitoring and evaluation.
• Collaborates with unit staff case management system to identify inefficiencies or lapse in services.
• Assists unit staff by reviewing data from case management system to report needed improvements in areas of service.
• Assists with intra-agency or interagency service coordination and referral problems.
• Contacts other agencies, organizations, and entities to develop procedures to ensure effective and efficient service coordination and referrals.
• May supervise the work of others.
• Acts as a team lead by assisting in the assignment and review of work.
• Provides guidance on work to other staff.
• Performs related work as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Knowledge of community resources, case management principles, objectives, standards, and methods, and program policies and procedures.
• Skill in developing, implementing, and monitoring service and treatment plans.
• Ability to assess clients' needs, to coordinate clients' services, to monitor program effectiveness, to communicate effectively, and to supervise the work of others.

Requirements:
• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience in case management or a related field.
• Valid driver's license.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet deadlines.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.

Working Conditions:
• Work is performed in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• May be required to work irregular hours, including evenings and weekends.
• May be required to travel to various locations.
• May be exposed to stressful and traumatic situations.

Equal Employment Opportunity:
The Texas Department of Aging & Disability Services is an equal employment opportunity employer and welcomes applications from diverse candidates. We are committed to creating a workplace that is inclusive and respectful of all employees.

How to Apply:
If you are a motivated and experienced professional looking for a challenging and rewarding opportunity, please submit your application, including your resume and cover letter, to [insert contact information]. We look forward to hearing from you

---