JOB OVERVIEW

Foster First is currently seeking a full-time BRS case manager to work at our Yakima office to serve our foster families and youth. The case manager would provide case management services up to 8 youth (case load will vary). This position typically works in the Yakima County, but occasionally travels to areas outside of the county. The case manager will ensure each youth's needs are met, will provide the youth with needed services and support for the foster family; work collaboratively with the Licensing team to ensure that each foster home is in compliance with all of Foster First policies and the states policies (WACs); educate, counsel, train, and support foster parents in meeting the youth's overall needs and address any issues that may arise; work collaboratively with other stakeholders to meet the youth's and families needs as well as represent quality foster care and reunification work int he community. Must have the ability to work some evenings and weekends when needed and as part of the afterhours and crisis response rotation.

What We Offer

• 100% employer-paid health insurance - includes Medical, Dental, Vision, and Accidental Death and Dismemberment
• Flexible hybrid schedule
• Generous Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
• $50 Monthly Phone Stipend
• $100 Weekend (Saturday & Sunday) Stipend When Scheduled For After Hours and Crisis Response

QUALIFICATIONS:
Education and Experience

• Master's degree in social services or a closely related field; OR
• Bachelor's degree in social services or a closely related field AND two (2) years of documented experience working with children or youth in one of or a combination of the following settings:
  • Mental Health Hospital;
  • Juvenile Rehabilitation facility, detention center, law enforcement, or corrections; or
  • A child placing agency or a residential care program in a case management or similar position working with at risk families and youth. OR

• Associate’s degree in social services or a closely related field AND three (3) years of documented experience working with children or youth in one of or a combination of the following settings:
  • Mental Health Hospital;
  • Juvenile Rehabilitation facility, detention center, law enforcement, or corrections; or
  • A child placing agency or a residential care program in a case management or similar position working with at risk families and youth.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Case Managers shall have the primary responsibility of planning, developing and implementing services for youth, and serving on the after hours and crisis response rotation. Case managers shall collaborate with DCYF in delivering services to each youth:

• Initiate, complete, and audit all documentation including: case documentation, the ISTP and IBMP, case manager contact note records, assessments, medical forms, and discharge plans for each youth in accordance with licensing requirements and Foster First policies and procedures; and all other documentation described in the CPA contract and BRS Handbook.
  
• Arranges and coordinators counseling, mental health, drug/alcohol, medical or other treatment as described in the ISTP.
  
• Reviews and participates in the development of the youth’s Individual Education Plan (IEP) in coordination with the child/family team. Advocating with the local school district to ensure that the youth receives appropriate educational services.
• Coordinates and ensures inclusion of the child/family team in planning and decision making processes.
• Provide advocacy work with schools, courts, mental health systems, and other outside agencies that are also involved with assigned youth.
• Provides on-going assessment of service and support needs of the client. Advocating for youth to be moved to a less intensive support structure as their functioning improves.
  
• Participate in regular client supervision and support with the client and/or foster parents during frequent home visits, office visits, and telephone contact as required by state licensing and Foster First policy and procedures.
  
• Attend court hearings, Family Team Decision Making meetings, and general staffing on behalf of children assigned to your caseload.
• Represents Foster First in the community by attending meetings and gatherings as required.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings and training as required.
• Respond to and attend to details of crises that may arise during working and non-working hours, which includes writing and submitting Serious Incident Reports. Participate in after hours and crisis response rotation implementing clinical strategies as learned through trainings..
• Provides transportation to school, doctor appoints, respite, etc. as needed
  
• Maintain confidentiality as required by government law and regulations
  
• Perform special assignments, projects, and other duties as required.
  
  

Other Experiences and Requirements

• access to a reliable vehicle and an acceptable driving record (we pay for DMV record)
• Knowledge and understanding of family dynamics and family-centered services.
• The ability to relate well with families of varied lifestyles, backgrounds, and ethnicities.
• Knowledge of and ability to access community resources
• Flexibility in scheduling (afternoon, evening, and weekend availability), and willingness to drive to different cities, and work primarily within the homes/communities of the families.
• Maintain a personal cell phone for client contact (partially reimbursed through agency stipend)
• Must maintain 30 hours of on-going education training per year.

Licensure/Certificates

• WA State driver’s license
• Auto insurance
  
• Successfully pass background check with DCYF
• Become CPR/First Aid/BBP Certified within 3 months of employment
• Complete TB Test within 15 days of hire
  • Foster First does not cover the cost for CPR & First Aid training and TB Test

WORKING CONIDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Case Managers usually work in an office environment, remotely, or sometimes in non-standard workplaces.
• Case Managers may work a standard work week but may be required to work after hours and weekends to provide support to program and as part of the crisis response rotation.
• Case Managers must provide a healthy working environment by maintaining the building maintenance.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions, but must be able to respond to crisis and be part of the crisis response rotation.
• This position normally requires the physical demands of standing, walking, bending, lifting or performing other work requiring physical exertion (occasionally must be able to maintain 100% weight advantage whenever applying physical intervention, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force continuously to move objects and/or people), talking, hearing and adequate vision on a regular basis to perform the job requirements.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
The Case Manager should demonstrate competence in some or all the following:

• Demonstrates flexible and efficient time management and ability to prioritize workload.
• Requires excellent skills in both verbal and written communication.
• Requires public speaking skills and the ability to successfully communicate in a professional manner.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with other management staff, employees, and the public.
• Requires ability to work effectively with culturally diverse youth and families.
• Requires ability to observe and make accurate assessments of situations and individuals and determine appropriate action required.
  
• Requires ability to provide strategic and logistical planning and facilitate meetings, conferences, and workshops, as required.
• Requires ability to perform tasks with little supervision. Most tasks are governed by standard practices; however, some are not. Innovative thinking is required. Detail oriented, with good organizational skills required.
• Requires leadership ability characterized by servant leadership, integrity, and honesty. Must possess the ability to lead through influence as opposed to authority.
• Requires ability to prioritize tasks and respond in crisis/pressure situations; requires flexibility to meet changing business needs.
• Requires proficient ability to speak, read and write English.

About Foster First

Foster First is a non-profit Child Placing Agency (CPA) that offers CPA- and Behavior Rehabilitation Services (BRS)- level care. BRS is a temporary, intensive, wraparound, support, and treatment for children and families. Established in 2003 as Community Resource Group, we began providing services to the Yakima and Wenatchee area. In June of 2019, we changed our name to Foster First, still continuing to serve children and families. Foster First serves the Yakima, Kittitas, Chelan, Douglas, Franklin, Benton, Grant, and Klickitat counties.

At Foster First, we are driven by our mission, "Empowering youth and families for life-long success", and we want to ensure that every child placed within our programs are provided the tools necessary to gain life-long skills that will benefit them throughout their life.

Foster First is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, creed, religion, age, marital or nursing mother status, pregnancy, national origin, citizenship, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.