Child Welfare Case Manager/Trainee

Responsibilities

• Identify and assess client and family needs of minors placed in care by DCF due to abuse or neglect with the ultimate goal of permanency.
• Conduct child safety assessments.
• Assess client needs and develop service plans.
• Coordinate delivery of services; plan referrals and linkages to clients and families.
• Monitor service plan progress and evaluate reports from multiple service providers.
• Develop and maintain case and program documentation (assessments, treatment and service plans, progress notes, termination summaries, etc.) according to contract and CHS standards.
• Prepare case and status reports and make recommendations; testify in court or other prescribed bodies regarding reunification, termination of parental rights or other permanency plans.
• Conduct diligent searches as required by dependency laws.
• Coordinate services with other professionals and para‑professionals.
• Conduct community outreach as needed.
• Provide specialized services such as detainment, interstate compact, post‑placement supervision, relative and non‑relative caregiver home studies, court testimony, termination of parental rights and judicial review staffing.
• Facilitate stable placement and timely achievement of permanency by providing support to children, caregivers, and family members.
• Assist families and caregivers in accessing subsidy, medical coverage and other needed services for children.
• Coordinate cases with supervisor, team members, providers, DCF and attorneys as needed.
• Facilitate placement and independent living.
• May remove and place children, and/or facilitate mediation staffing for reunification, TPR and detainment.
• Arrange or provide transportation of clients when needed.
• Arrange for drug/alcohol screens as necessary.
• Provide on‑call support as required or scheduled.
• For Adoptions:
  • Assess families for the purpose of adoption.
  • Complete child assessments specific for adoption.
  • Meet agency target/goal for adoption.
  • Complete subsidy packets for families.
  • Follow background requirements for adoption.
  • Adhere to requirements as provided by Florida statute and required by lead agency.
• DCM Trainee candidates only: Attend a paid classroom training program, Phase I Child Protection Certification, and upon successful completion, enter Phase II, a hands‑on supervised field practice that leads to full certification.

Qualifications

• Education, Licenses & Certifications - DCM Trainee Candidates:
  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university (required).
  • Bachelor’s degree in a Human Services related field from an accredited university (preferred).
  • Master’s degree in Social Work (preferred).
  • Florida Driver’s License within 30 days from hire, and daily access to a reliable and insured vehicle (required).
• Experience - DCM Trainee Candidates:
  • Must successfully complete prescribed Child Welfare Case Management Certification training and examination.
  • Must complete a considerable period of monitored field practice under close supervision and meet the associated field case requirement.
  • Must complete the CHS Dependency Experience Waiver learning path unless the candidate possesses one of the preferred qualifications.
  • Two years of experience working with at‑risk children and families (preferred).
  • The candidate may advance to a Dependency Case Manager once all qualifications are met.
  • Experience in related fields/titles such as Child Welfare, Dependency, Social Work, DCF, Foster Care, Adoptions, Teaching, Psychology, Criminal Justice, etc. is welcome.
• Education, Licenses & Certifications - Certified DCM Candidates:
  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university (required).
  • Bachelor’s degree in a Human Services related field from an accredited university (preferred).
  • Master’s degree in Social Work from an accredited university (preferred).
  • Florida Child Welfare Case Manager certification (required).
  • CHS Dependency Experience Waiver may substitute for required qualifications.
  • For Adoptions: Adoption Competent certificate or must acquire it within 6 months of employment (required).
• Experience - Certified DCM Candidates:
  • Two years of experience working with at‑risk children and families (required).

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of child development, community resources, dependency and permanency.
• Skills in planning, project management, organization and time management.
• Strong oral and written communication, including presentation and platform.
• Collaborative teamwork, consulting, facilitation, coaching and mentoring.
• Ability to interact effectively with children and families from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to set appropriate limits and boundaries with clients and act decisively to protect clients when necessary.
• Ability to assess and apply proper intervention strategies.
• Ability to identify and understand environmental stressors.
• Be sensitive to service population’s cultural/socio‑economic characteristics.
• Execute at a high level of autonomy with general supervision.
• Perform under strong demands in fast‑paced, diverse, sometimes ambiguous environments.
• Commit to providing high customer satisfaction with positive service delivery results.
• Meet critical deadlines while maintaining attention to detail, accuracy and quality.
• Handle highly stressful, sensitive situations; maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.
• Demonstrate the behaviors of CHS Common Bond Values.

Travel

Yes. Statewide.

Background Screening

All applicants are subject to background screening through the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). For more information, visit

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.