Description

The Licensed Child Welfare Social Worker will provide case management for children, and their families that have been placed in foster care in the District of Columbia. Incumbent will provide assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families to facilitate timely permanency outcomes.

Essential Functions

•    Meeting with children and families face to face to conduct safety assessments, determine service needs, and monitor progress toward case plan goals.
•    Work with children/youth, foster parents, and other professional partners to assess capabilities and concerns, and to determine what services are required to meet their needs.
•    Facilitate and supervise family visitation.
•    Serve as liaison/advocate between families and foster parents, health specialists, school staff, DC Family Court, and other service providers.
•    Maintain case records and prepare reports (ie: court reports, treatment plans, contact notes, and monthly reports).
•    Refer children and/or families to community resources for services such as educational support, employment training, financial literacy, legal aid, housing, and medical treatment, and assist families with getting services as well as provide thorough information about where to go and how to apply.
•    Work in a team environment to include attorneys, service providers, community partners, and government entities.
•    Develop and review case plans in consultation with families and perform follow-ups assessing the quantity and quality of services provided.
•    Arrange for medical, psychiatric, and other tests that may disclose causes of difficulties and indicate remedial measures.
•    Coordinate medical and behavioral health appointments.
•    Assist with placing children/youth in foster homes, institutions, or medical treatment centers if/and when needed.
•    Prepare children and families for successful permanency outcomes
•    Maintain comprehensive and timely documentation of all contact with children/youth,  families of origin, foster parents, attorneys, and any other member of the team.
•    Participate in an after hours on-call rotation.

Requirements

  DC LGSW or LMSW:

•    Knowledge or understanding of child welfare systems and guidance
•    Master’s degree (MSW) from an accredited college or university; licensed to practice social work in DC & MD
•    Culturally competent: experience with different cultures, religions, and nationalities.
•    Experience in writing cohesive and coherent court reports, treatment plans, contact notes, and monthly reports.
•    Experience in family therapy and/or trauma informed therapy.
•    Must have reliable and accessible transportation
•    Valid driver’s license and vehicle insurance.
•    Required to pass to child protection clearances, federal and state criminal histories.
•    Required to pass background and drug screen, and TB test

Preferred Skills

•    2 plus years of experience in child welfare
•    2 plus years of experience in the foster care system
•    Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel)
•    Experienced in data collection systems
•    Ability to manage time well.
•    Ability to work independently and in a group.

Spanish Speaking or ability to use translations tools.