Summary

The Foster Care Social Worker provides foster care placement, planning and implementation for assigned client caseloads, and ensures that children achieve their placement goals in as expeditious a manner as possible.

1. Assesses the needs of child(ren) and ensures that the appropriate range of clinical and concrete services are accessed as needed for each child.
2. Provides casework services to the families and children, arranges contacts and visits and referral and coordination with necessary community services.
3. Provides support services to foster families, including home visits, consultation and counseling, crisis intervention, referral and coordination of community services.
4. Conducts contractually required home study updates for currently approved Resource Parents to maintain compliance with DCFS and CCL stipulations.
5. Assesses current Approved Resource Families for the continued stability as Resource Parents and provides guidance, support, and education in the area of fostering traumatized children.
6. Provides weekly and/or semi-monthly home visits to all clients dependent on the length of placement.
7. Provides referrals for therapeutic services for clients, as needed.
8. Participates as a treatment team member in Agency case review meetings.
9. Maintains up to date case records for all placements, including Needs and Service Plans, termination reports, records of phone, face to face, and virtual contacts and other documentation as required.
10. Schedules and coordinates the services of psychiatric, psychological and/or pediatric consultations on behalf of children placed in foster case.
11. In conjunction with the CSW coordinates services such as counseling, medical, and dental care, Child and Family team meetings, and family visits. All necessary services are conducted to offer the most positive outcomes to the child while in placement.
12. Establishes and maintains rapport and effective working relationships with children and families and works effectively within the Agency and social work community at large.
13. Attends and participates in court review hearings as necessary.
14. Maintains knowledge of program standards and policies as developed by Five Acres, Community Care Licensing and other governing bodies; develops personal and professional knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks, benchmarking state-of-the art practices, and participating in in-service programs.
15. Monitors Resource Parents' activities to ensure compliance with all program standards and policies. Foster Care Social Worker will ensure that all required documentation is submitted by the Resource Parents in a timely manner.
16. Prepares, maintains and submits all assigned documentation and reports in a timely manner.
17. Incorporates Agency philosophy and mission in all aspects of job performance.
18. Attends and participates in staff, supervision, and division meetings, and in-service programs, consultations and Agency meetings as appropriate.
19. Receives feedback with commitment to on-going refinement and professional growth.
20. Maintains confidentiality regarding children, families and operations of the Agency.
21. Exercises good judgment in the performance of duties and responsibilities.

To perform effectively in this position, the incumbent must have:

• A master's degree in social work and LCSW is preferred.
• Previous employment experience required in family and child welfare or mental health, preferably in adoptions and/or foster placement.
• Education/experience in individual and group behavior, as well as family relationships and developmental theory.
• Track record of independent social work and capacity for developing job competency with supervision and in-service training.
• Effective communication skills both oral and written; bi-lingual skills in Spanish/English are preferred.
• Ability to be flexible and work in a changing environment.
• Ability to pass and utilize the Pro Act physical restraint system.
• Computer skills sufficient to meet production demands of the job including Microsoft Office and WELLIGENT software for program notes.
• Must have a valid California Driver License, proof of automobile insurance and meet the Agency's safe driver guidelines.
• Sensitivity to the different cultures represented among the clients, children and staff.
• Group facilitation skills and experience.
• A basic understanding of age appropriate behavior for children/adolescents.
• Knowledge of emergency procedures of the Agency.
• Ability to model positive behaviors and Agency values.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Strong problem solving skills.
• Ability to work varied hours including evenings, nights and weekends and to provide 24/7 on-call responsibility shared with other foster care program staff on a rotating basis.

Compensation Range: $23.65/hr - $35.48/hr

Work culture matters at 5A! We offer a comprehensive benefits package with a medical coverage option as low as $5 with free dental HMO, vision, life insurance, AD&D and disability insurance. We offer a 401k with an annual match up to 3%, annual performance reviews with up to 4% merit (6% for direct service providers), plus annual retention stipends. We offer team building retreats, wellness incentive, 12 paid holidays and flexible work schedules, including remote options for identified positions!