General Statement of Duties

Performs responsible casework recruiting, training, licensing, and re-licensing foster families and finding appropriate placements for children, provides case management of Interstate and intercounty foster children, and children in foster care case management for children in the custody of Davidson County DSS.

Distinguishing Features of the Class

An employee in this class is responsible for preparing foster families for placement of children, finding appropriate placements for children, assessing families wishing to be foster and adoptive parents, completing County, intercounty and interstate home studies, recommending placements of children, monitoring, and submitting reports on current foster and/or adoptive parents.  Carrying a caseload of children in foster care who are in agency custody and/or as support to other states or counties.  The employee also ensures that the child’s educational, medical, and psychological needs are being met, works with biological families, performs administrative work, assesses the needs of children to share with potential adoptive families the children’s profile and working directly with foster children, foster families, and potential adoptive families.  Work is performed under the regular supervision of a SW Supervisor III.

Illustrative Examples of Work

• Provides assistance to foster parents to ensure their ability to meet the needs of children placed in their home as well as the ongoing needs of the Agency.
• Completes necessary paperwork for licensing within mandated timeframes of the Agency including those requested by ICPC to become licensed.
• Performs home visits/assessments and individual interviews to determine if families and their residences are appropriate for licensure.
• Performs re-evaluations/re-licensing on foster homes and completes all necessary paperwork within the state regulated timeframe.
• Creates and conducts events to make contact prospective foster/adoptive parents.
• Prepares for MAPP training and provides training and support to foster and adoptive parents.
• Remains up-to-date with changing NC licensing regulations and standards.
• Conducts at least quarterly monitoring visits with foster parents for support and information sharing.
• Assesses the strengths and needs of foster parents.
• Coordinates and collaborates with foster care social workers to address any issues that are raised about foster parents and effectively problem solve possible solutions.
• Assesses foster homes for ongoing safety, compliance and best care.
• Completes pre-placement assessments on potential adoptive families at the time of licensure.
• Evaluates and prepares written assessment and recommendation of the appropriateness of Davidson County residents for children in the custody of other states or counties via ICPC or intercounty/correctional facility requests.
• Monitors placement of children placed via ICPC or intercounty placement agreement.
• Provides testimony in court as needed
• Arranges for services needed for children placed via ICPC or intercounty agreement.
• Attends and participates in CPS staffing’s, as requested, to obtain information about children in need of a placement.
• Assesses CPS relative/kinship placements prior to filing of juvenile petition.
• Secures respite care when needed and requested.
• Prepares the foster family for the children entering their home.
• Completes/updates/distributes weekly placements list of children in custody and where they are placed.
• Completes daycare requests/placement letters and other referrals for placements as needed.
• Conducts CFTs for social workers as requested/needed.
• Provides direct services as well as collaboration with other professionals.
• Client contact, e.g. arranging and supervising contact with child and parents, siblings, children and relatives and children and other significant others, as requested or required.
• Monthly visits with the child (ren) and foster parents/caregiver/adoptive parent in the child’s current home, sometimes throughout the state of North Carolina and even out of the state, to ensure the safety of children and ensure all of the child’s needs are met, as needed.
• Develops a relationship with children on their caseload, by consistent and meaningful contact to ensure the children are safe and involved in the planning for their future.
• Locate and maintain contact with all parents or custodians of children
• Attempts at least monthly contact/case management with birth parents for foster care reunification cases.
• Creates timely and accurate court reports.
• Reviews case records, completes documentation daily, performs on going communication vis telephone calls and emails to/from collateral and families and documents these in a timely manner
• Maintains day sheets and timesheets on a daily basis.
• Prepares various requested written documents such as home studies, adoption profiles, social histories, applications for group homes and application and referrals for mental health services.
• Maintains and organizes case record.
• Meets with supervisor for routine conferences of progress of duties and any concerns that arise.
• Adheres to the federal, state and county rules, policies, and regulations.
• This position is required to perform mandatory emergency shelter duty should the need arise
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Recruitment and Selection Guidelines

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of local, state and federal laws related to child welfare.
• Knowledge of psychological problems.
• Knowledge of child development casework.
• Must have good interviewing skills.
• Knowledge of community agencies in order to identify appropriate programs to alleviate the client’s needs.
• Knowledge of family dynamics and the effects of abuse and neglect on children and the impact this has on parenting of children.
• Must have good communication skills both verbal and written.
• Knowledge of trauma and effects of placement moves on children.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational support functions of climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pulling, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing and repetitive motions.
• Worker performs light work exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.
• Worker is required to have close visual acuity to work on a computer terminal, perform extensive reading and use measurement devices.
• The worker is subject to both environmental conditions: Activities occur inside and outside.
• The worker is in contact with potentially infectious bodily fluids during the performance of his/her duties.
• This position requires extensive driving, both in county to see children in the agency’s custody and out of county/state, depending on the child’s placement location.
• The worker is on the disaster team and may be responsible for opening or working in a shelter

Education and Experience

• Master's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work; Bachelor's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work and completion of the Child Welfare Collaborative (Child Welfare positions only); Bachelor's degree in social work from an accredited school of social work and one year directly related experience; Master's degree in a human services field and one year of directly related experience; Bachelor's degree in a human services field from an accredited college or university and two years directly related experience; Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and three years of directly related experience
• Some experience in training families to provide care for children who have been abused or neglected or finding permanence for child in the child welfare system by working with children and families.

Licenses and Certifications

• Valid North Carolina Driver License.