Case Planner

JOB SUMMARY

The Case Planner is responsible for the delivery of services to children in care and their families. The Case Planner facilitates the permanency goal through casework counseling and coordination of services. The Case Planner represents the agency in all court proceedings and ensures that the agency is meeting all contract mandates for their caseload.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Conduct a minimum of one monthly contact with the foster child in the foster home to assess the child’s safety, well-being and progress towards permanency.
2. Conduct two face-to-face contacts with the biological parents, including one contact in the biological parent’s home, on a monthly basis to discuss ASFA timeframes, assess for safety and progress towards the permanency plan.
3. Monitor and coordinate the visitation plan including ensuring that a minimum of one parent child visit for 2 hours is held on a weekly basis unless otherwise directed by the court.
4. Continually re-assess the visitation plan to ensure that the plan offers the least restrictive option given the development and age of the child as well as the progress of the case.
5. Schedule and participate in Family Team Conferences.
6. Continually re-assess the permanency plan in light of ASFA timeframes and develop a concurrent plan towards permanency.
7. Maintain regular contact with the biological parent’s service providers to ensure that the parent is addressing the placement reason
8. Maintain regular contact and coordinate all the child’s services including medical, clinical, education etc.
9. Responsible for keeping an accurate contemporaneous CNNX record with progress notes being entered at the agency standard of 48 hours from the date of contact.
10. Responsible for the completion and timely submission of FASPs and Permanency Hearing Reports
11. Responsible for reporting, testifying and presenting the agency’s position in regards to the family at Family Court proceedings including at Permanency Hearings and TPR.
12. Participate in ACS/Abbott House mandated trainings included but not limited to ACS onboarding training, mandated reporter training, safety and risk, motivational interviewing, coaching competency, etc
13. Perform all necessary activities assigned to further the agency’s mission

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• 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. An employee in this position is regularly required to stand; walk, use hands and fingers, handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; talk and listen, and taste or smell. The employee frequently is required to walk. The employee is occasionally required to keep balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Computer – The Case Planner must be able to use a computer and able to learn software programs
• Office Equipment- The Case Planner is required to operate a fax, copier, scan, and other office equipment.
• Communication - The Case Planner needs to be able to speak, read and write fluently in the English language
• Writing - The Case Planner must be able to write in the English language using correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc.
• Driving - The Case Planner must have a valid Driver’s License and available car for field visits. In the absence of a car, he/she must be able to take public transportation.
• Lifting - The Case Planner may frequently lift 0-25 lbs., occasionally lift 25-50 lbs., and rarely lift over 50 lbs.
• Push/Pull - The Case Planner may frequently push/pull 0-25 lbs. of force, occasionally push/pull 26-45 lbs. force, and rarely push/pull over 45 lbs.
• Sitting - The Case Planner may sit 50-60% of the working day.
• Standing - The Case Planner may stand 10-20% of the working day.
• Walking - The Case Planner may walk 10-20% of the working day.
• Stooping -The Case Planner may occasionally stoop.  This is defined as bending body downward by bending spine at the waist.
• Kneeling -The Case Planner may occasionally kneel.  This is defined as bending legs at knees to come to rest on knee(s).
• Crouching - The Case Planner may occasionally crouch.  This is defined as bending body downward and forward by bending spine and legs.
• Work environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in an office environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate due to talk and movement of the program participants and other co- workers.  The noise level can increase on occasion due to yelling or screaming by the participants of the programs.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. MSW or related degree or
2. Bachelor degree with two years of relevant experience preferred
3. Excellent communication, interpersonal, and writing skills

HOURS AND TIME OF WORK

• The Case Planner is contracted for 35 hours a week Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Some evenings and weekend hours may be required.