Overview

Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) envisions a world where children are safe, families are strong, and communities are vibrant. LSF is looking for talented Child Welfare Case Managers who want to make an impact in the lives of others. The schedule for this role is flexible, Monday through Friday and on call! Purpose & Impact: The purpose of the Child Welfare Case Manager is to provide full wrap around case management services to LSF clients and families while establishing a relationship with them and living the agency's core values. 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 staffing 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 caregivers as needed. Plan and facilitate parental and sibling visits as needed and appropriate. Personal vehicle utilized to 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. Works cooperatively with Program Directors, with other Case Managers, with placement staff, with Protective Investigators, with Child Welfare Legal staff and with agency support staff. Effectively manages time to ensure that all home visits are completed as required, all documentation is entered into FSFN within 48 hours, court documentation is prepared according to specified time frames and court appearances are attended as necessary. Follows Florida Statutes, Administrative Code, written policies and orders of the Dependency Court in managing cases toward goals recorded in case plans. Organize, prioritize and complete all work assignments by the established deadlines.All duti