We are seeking a The DFCA Case Manager.  The DFCA Case Manager serves in a strategic function at Buckner Children and Family Services and is responsible for the coordination and provision of services to foster children, foster families, and foster adoptive families. Join our team and shine hope in the lives of others! 

What you'll do:

• Participate as a member of the Foster Care team to meet the physical, emotional, social, educational, and spiritual needs of the foster children during the time they are placed in a Buckner foster home, as outlined in each client’s plan of service.
• Provide ongoing case management for clients in Buckner foster homes.
• Participate in regular supervision and support with the client and foster parents during frequent home visits, office visits, and telephone contact as required by state licensing and Buckner policy and procedures.
• Provide family and/or support to foster care clients.
• Complete thorough documentation for case files in a timely manner in accordance with licensing requirements and Buckner policies and procedures.
• Maintain all documentation of client’s files in accordance with established minimum standards and Buckner policies and procedures. Audit client files on a regular basis to ensure that all requirements are met.
• Participate in child placing decisions for children being placed in foster homes.
• Timely and thoroughly complete all necessary admission and assessment paperwork; plan and complete discharge paperwork.
• Develop, monitor and review with clients their Plan of Service designed to increase strengths, address needs, and reduce conflict in the home.
• Provide crisis intervention.
• Assess the child’s educational needs and coordinate with the child’s identified school and family on appropriate child-specific services. Provide guidance and support to the foster parents. Ensure the child’s educational portfolio is updated routinely.
• Develop, monitor, review discharge summary in collaboration with the post-permanency specialist and provide ongoing aftercare services for identified children in coordination with Post Permanency Coordinator.
• Work with foster parents in coordinating visits with placing agency and/or family for family visits and contact. Assist foster parents with transportation for family visits and other necessary appointments.
• Collaborate with STAR Health to ensure effective communication and coordination of service.
• Participate in the screening and licensing of potential foster parents. Complete home studies for potential foster parents as part of the licensing process as required.
• Participate in in-service training, including SAMA, CPR/First Aid, Medications and any other clinical related training. Attend and participate in Buckner activities for foster parents and foster children.
• Facilitate and lead trainings for foster parents to provide them with pre-service and continuing education.
• Participate in recruiting foster homes by making presentation to the general public as required.
• Communicate with DFPS and other placement agencies by telephone and encrypted email; meet with placement agency caseworkers to discuss client needs
• Attend and participate in permanency conferences, family group conferences, circle of support meetings and court hearings as needed.
• Prepare progress reports for placement agency caseworkers as requested.

 What you’ll bring:

• Knowledge and experience must meet Texas Minimum Standards for Child Placing Agencies. Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in social work or other human services field required.
• Requires a minimum of 2 years prior related experience.
• 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.