Child Welfare Case Manager/Indian Child Welfare

Job Description

Job DescriptionSalary:

Job Title

Child Welfare Case Manager/Indian Child Welfare

Department

Social Services; Child Welfare Program

Reports To

Director of Social Services

Status

Full Time/Non-Exempt

Salary Range

D.O.E.

Location

KTIK Government Center in the Social Services Department

**Tribal Preference is exercised when making hiring decisions for this position.

Position Summary

Under the general direction of the KTIK Social Services Director, the Child Welfare Case Manager manages and coordinates child welfare-related services in situations involving Indian Child Welfare matters with the immediate goals of ensuring the safety of every child entering KTIK Tribal Custody and working with families through active efforts aimed at reunifying Indian Families, whenever possible.

As a Child Welfare Case Manager, this position holds the responsibility to create and maintain accurate and timely records, provide support to natural families and foster families, organize and conduct visits with parents and siblings, and engage in useful intervention strategies in accordance with recognized standards of care. Child Welfare Services are provided as part of the Case Managers work with children and families: Foster Care Services, Child Protection Services, Child Welfare Case Management and Coordination Services, Family Preservation Services, Independent Living Services, and Parenting Support.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

The essential duties of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Willing and able to travel at any time and be available to travel for work children and familys
• Be will to work an on-call rotating schedule/irregular hour.
• Provide child welfare services to members of the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas and the community.
• Interview children, families, and relevant parties to gather necessary information.
• Develop and implement case plans that aim to improve the childs welfare.
• Monitor and document the progress of the child and family toward meeting plan goals.
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure that necessary services are provided
• Respond to reports of child abuse or neglect and take necessary action.
• Prepare court reports and testify in legal proceedings as required.
• Provide crisis intervention as necessary.
• Advocate for the rights and needs of children in the welfare system.
• Participate in ongoing training and professional development to stay informed of best practices in child welfare.
• Investigating the case through interviews with key people, including children, parents, other relatives, and medical providers.
• Make plans for and coordinate appropriate placement and stabilization for abused or neglected children.
• 
  Secure and coordinate emergency placement for children and youth entering Tribal Custody.
• 
  Ensure visitation schedules are maintained and followed for children in Tribal Custody related to parent visits and sibling visits.
• 
  Review reports of an alleged case of abuse or neglect.
  
• Submit written reports at least 5 days before a scheduled Tribal Court hearing, and make oral reports to the Tribal Court, providing necessary information on the progress and efforts by natural parents related to Case Plan goals and Court Orders, as well as updates on the overall well-being and developmental achievements of children in foster care.
• 
  Accept referrals for children alleged or suspected to be abused, neglected, or exploited, and take necessary and appropriate actions.
• Schedule and organize Case Plan meetings within 30 days of the child entering Tribal Custody. Develop individualized Case Plans for any child or youth when an investigation supports a judicial adjudication of the child as a Child in Need of Care. Develop individualized Case Plans for natural parents of children in foster care. Submit all Case Plans to the KTIK Tribal Court.
• Maintain a confidential system of records, subject to third-party disclosure only upon order of the Tribal Court. Recognize that confidentiality is a cornerstone of child welfare services, and any unauthorized breach of confidentiality will result in discipline up to and including termination.
• Assist with all grant reporting related to child welfare services. Adhere to strict documentation protocols as required for grantors and program policies.
• 
  Conduct home visits regularly and no less than once every 30 days. Schedule home visits with natural parents, foster parents, and foster children as often as required to effectively address and/or resolve the family or childs needs.
• Provide meaningful, targeted referrals for children, youth, and families to the appropriate department, agency, or organization for necessary treatment or supportive services.
• Ensure children in Tribal Custody are up to date on all health screenings and appointments.
• Work with Foster Parents to schedule appointments for children in Tribal Custody as needed.

• Administer services to support parents, provide Family Preservation Services to Tribal families to prevent out-of-home placement, and conduct interventions with families, including natural parents and children, aimed at family reunification for children placed out of the home.

• Assist families in meaningful and engaging ways when accessing resources and providing services to comply with court orders and fulfill Case Plan goals.
• 
  Meet with supervisors, colleagues, and other Tribal programs to provide effective support and case management for children and parents assigned to the Case Manager.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings and other scheduled meetings, identify and participate in available departmental, virtual, and external trainings, and participate in other meetings and events as directed by a supervisor.

• Conduct thorough, comprehensive, well-documented home studies as necessary.

• Assist in Child Protective Services investigations or other Child Welfare-related services as needed or required.

• Provide necessary and appropriate documentation to law enforcement and prosecution related to child welfare matters when a childs safety is at issue or a concern. When intervention by law enforcement is needed, share important details and effectively coordinate with law enforcement. When a petition for a childs removal or adjudication should be considered by prosecution, provide the necessary information, affidavits, details, or other evidence the prosecutor will need to protect the childs safety and effectively support a petition in Tribal Court.

• Prepare and submit reports detailing worker activities as needed or requested by the Social Service Director for tracking and grant reporting purposes.

• Respond to phone, email, and other inquiries as soon as reasonably possible, but not later than 24 hours.

• Work regularly scheduled shifts on a routine basis with limited unscheduled absences. Be on time for work, ready to start work-related activities at the time the scheduled shift begins.

• Maintain eligibility to work in Social Services and Child Welfare Services, including a clear criminal record. If the employee is arrested or charged with a crime, the employee must provide notice to the Social Services Director within 24 hours. Maintain the valid credentials to conduct all essential job functions, including driving and transporting clients in Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas-owned or GSA vehicles. On an annual basis, the Case Manager must provide a copy of their valid state-issued Drivers License and current automobile insurance policy to the Social Services Director.

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Social Services Director.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of available Indian Child Welfare resources and services.
• Knowledge of child welfare standards, codes, and tribal jurisdiction.
• Knowledge of healthy and appropriate family dynamics and child development.
• Knowledge of Indian Child Welfare program development and effective program components.
• Knowledge of local and surrounding geography and tribal culture.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships.
• Ability to adhere to a code of conduct, personnel policies, and drug and alcohol policies.
• Ability to pass a criminal background check as required for all personnel working with children.
• Ability to manage time effectively.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally.
• Ability to dress business casual and conduct oneself professionally in all situations.
• Ability to attend work as scheduled, be reliable, and show a high level of commitment.
• Ability to take direction and stay open to new learning opportunities and supervisor directives.
• Ability to participate in ongoing training and professional development to stay informed of best practices in child welfare.
• Ability to demonstrate cultural humility and respect.
• Ability and authorization to fulfill all essential job duties and responsibilities.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with community members and staff.
• Skills to provide effective interventions with children, parents, and families.
• Skills to effectively engage, assess, intervene, evaluate, and terminate relationships with clients.
• Skills to use social work-based strategies to support the connection, well-being, and functioning of Kickapoo families.
• Skills to effectively interview children, families, and relevant parties to gather necessary information.
• Skills to develop and implement case plans that aim to improve the childs welfare.
• Skills to monitor and document the progress of the child and family toward meeting plan goals.
• Skills to coordinate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure that necessary services are provided.
• Skills to effectively respond to reports of child abuse or neglect and take necessary action.
• Skills to adequately prepare court reports and testify in legal proceedings as required.
• Skills to provide crisis intervention services as necessary.
• Skills to advocate for the rights and needs of children in the welfare system.
• Skills to speak publicly, engage with diverse populations, and resolve conflict with dignity and respect.

Education and Qualifications

• Hold a bachelors degree and 2 years relevant experience, OR
• Hold an associates degree and 4 years relevant experience, OR
• Hold a minimum of a high school diploma/GED plus 6 years relevant experience.
• Experience in a closely aligned field, including but not limited to social work, social services, human services, sociology, psychology, case management, and counseling, may be considered.
• Willingness to work flexible hours.
• Have reliable transportation, a current and valid driver's license, and liability insurance.

*This position is covered by the provisions of the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Act of 1990 (25 U.S.C. 3201-3210). As such, each applicant will be required, as a precondition to employment, to submit to a 5-year criminal history background check, including fingerprinting.

**Except as provided by the Federal Indian Preference Act, Title 25 USC 45 46, there will be no discrimination in the selection process for this position because of race, color, age, sex, national origin, physical handicap, marital status, political membership or non-membership in an employee organization. If the applicants have equal qualifications, preference will be given to Native Americans and Alaskan Natives. Applicants claiming Indian preference must submit verification of Indian certification by tribe of affiliation or other acceptable documentation of Indian heritage. All other interested people are encouraged to apply.