What you will do?
As the Caseworker you will specialize in providing services in the Cedar Rapids area. Specific duties include:
- Conducts pre-screening activities for potential foster families.
- Writes complete, thorough, and unbiased home study assessments or prospective and current foster and adoptive families, recommending licensure and/or adoption approval and submitting timely to HHS.
- Meets contract requirements for supportive contacts for Resource Families with or without placements.
- Supports Resource Families to keep children stable for as long as a placement is needed.
- Provides pre-service and/or in-service training as requested.
- Assists with or provides recommendations regarding match referrals.
- Assesses strengths and limitations of placement options.
- Assists with troubleshooting procedures when matches are potentially late.
- When requested to assist, promptly responds to provide one or more names of Resource Families who may meet the requested referral criteria for a child.
- Documents contact with Resource Families timely using appropriate CareMatch procedures and required forms.
- Assesses permanency needs of the child/youth.
- Conducts initial, renewal, update, ICPC, and relative home studies as assigned.
- Demonstrates professional written and verbal communication with HHS/JCS.
- Travels as necessary to complete functions of job including attending stakeholder meetings, meeting Resource Families in their home environment, attending training or support group venues.
- Meets with prospective or current Resource Families/children in their homes at designated intervals as required by contract at times of day on days of the week in which the family is available, which often will include evenings and weekends
- Supports pre-adoptive families through to adoption to assure stability.
- Maintains current and accurate awareness of all Iowa Administrative Code Resource Family licensing/approval standards.
- Assists Resource Families with remaining in compliance with standards.
Why Work here?
Four Oaks understands the importance of supporting and treating one another as if they were our own family members. We believe in maintaining a healthy work/life balance while providing career paths for everyone. Our organization flourishes in an environment of equal opportunity and fair treatment for all. The effects of diversity and inclusion have created an atmosphere of positivity which connects us to the customers we serve. As a valued team member, you are eligible for:
- Medical, dental & vision insurance
- 401k Retirement plan
- Growth & Advancement opportunities
- Excellent paid leave time package
- 7 Paid holidays
- Flexible Work Schedule
- Business casual work environment
Qualifications & Program Information
What you need:
You need a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services, Social Work, Behavioral Sciences or related field, plus one year of related experience. Knowledge of the foster care and adoption systems is preferred.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Human Services, Social Work, Behavioral Sciences, or related field
- One year of related experience
- Knowledge of foster care and adoption systems
- Ability to conduct initial, renewal, update, ICPC, and relative home studies and write thorough home study assessments
- Timely documentation and professional written and verbal communication with HHS/JCS
- Willingness and ability to travel locally and meet families in their homes, including evenings and weekends
- Maintain knowledge of Iowa Administrative Code Resource Family licensing/approval standards and assist families with compliance
What We Do
Four Oaks Family and Children's Services is one of Iowa's largest nonprofit child welfare, juvenile justice, and behavioral health agencies. The organization empowers children and families across all 99 Iowa counties to achieve stability, self-sufficiency, and permanency through a comprehensive continuum of care, including foster care, adoption, residential treatment, and preventative community-based services.
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