The DFCA Transitional Case Manager serves in a strategic function at Buckner Children and Family Services to provide case management services for youth in paid foster care. The DFPS Transitional Case Manager services youth 14 years old and older while in foster care or paid kinship care. The support will provide the experiential learning for the youth and/or young adults in their preparation for independent living. This position can be housed in the following cities in Texas: Dallas, Fort Worth, Longview, Lufkin or Beaumont.

What you'll do:

• Participate as a member of the Foster Care team to meet the transitional and family needs of the foster youth during the time they are placed in a Buckner foster home, as outlined in each client’s plan of service.
• Assist eligible program participants with creating self-sufficiency plan that includes education, vocational training, employment, and living skills.
• Provide case management services, including, but not limited to, reviewing, evaluating, and updating individualized service plans, case notes, and referrals.
• Assist program participants with accessing community resources, including, but not limited to, assisting with program enrollments, assisting with obtaining housing, medical services, mental health services and other services. Assist the program participants with applying for state and/or federal benefits, if applicable.
• Develop professional relationships with institutions and agencies that provide education, job training, living skills training, employment services, housing, and child care services in order to coordinate services for program participants
•  Assist with development and implementation of program materials,
• Provide family and/or group support to foster youth.
• Travel as needed throughout the state to provide services to eligible clients and help develop programs to enhance the delivery of services to clients.
• Timely and accurately complete documentation required by contracts or T3C standards in accordance with established guidelines and procedures.
• Liaison to community and speak on behalf of Buckner to promote Buckner programming. Represent Buckner to outside agencies and their representatives, including TDFPS, SSCC Providers, andTWC..
• Work with local Transitional programs (within Buckner and outside of Buckner to engage foster youth in the activities of the program/center; participate in an alumni advisory group.
• Cultivate and monitor relationships with outside service providers, agencies and organizations to develop relationships to enhance the delivery of services to clients.

What you’ll bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in a closely related field is required to perform essential job functions.
• Requires a minimum of 2 years prior related experience.
• Experience developing trusting relationships with clients informed by both practical understanding and professional practice.
• Requires proficient knowledge of and/or work experience using community resources and support services.
• Requires prior related experience in delivering services to youth and/or young adults. Experience in the delivery of vocational or other self-sufficiency services preferred.
• Experience providing inclusive, culturally response, and non-judgmental services to diverse populations.
• Requires ability to work nights and weekends as required.
• Requires ability to work effectively with culturally diverse youth and families.
• Requires proficient ability to speak, read and write English. Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.
• Requires ability to drive assigned vehicle(s) or personal vehicle, with appropriate state license, following all laws applicable; must provide proof of liability insurance and must be eligible to be insured under Buckner’s insurance policy. Must be age 21 or older to drive on behalf of Buckner.
• Requires ability to use up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force continuously to move objects and/or people.
• Requires ability to walk, stand and sit, sometimes for prolonged periods of time.

The above description reflects the details considered necessary to describe the essential functions of the job and should not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be performed in the job.