Child Advocate

$53,460 - $53,460/Yr

Lutheran Services Florida - Fort Myers, FL

Full-time - Entry Level

Fort Myers, FL

51-100 employees

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations

About the position

The Child Welfare Case Manager at Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) is responsible for providing comprehensive case management services to clients and families, ensuring their safety and well-being. This role involves establishing relationships with families, conducting assessments, developing case plans, and coordinating services to achieve permanency for children. The position requires adherence to agency values and compliance with legal and procedural standards.

Responsibilities

• Accept all cases assigned by unit supervisor and meet with children in their primary residence within 2 working days of ITR staffing.
• Negotiate and develop a case plan based on identified strengths and needs of the family.
• Visit the child in their primary residence according to required frequency, but no less than once every 25 days.
• Accurately document all case activities in the Florida Safe Families Network database within 48 hours.
• Maintain the physical case file in chronological order, by subject, in accordance with the standardized case file format.
• Submit service requests to the lead agency Utilization Management Department and provide clients with timely referrals to services.
• Develop and maintain knowledge of community resources, program eligibility requirements, and key contact persons.
• Complete and submit court documentation within required timeframes and prepare for court activities as necessary.
• Conduct initial and/or ongoing child safety assessments as required and prepare safety plans as necessary.
• Transport children as needed and ensure all Independent Living functions are completed as required.

Requirements

• Must possess a Bachelor's degree in a Human Services field, preferably in Social Work.
• Minimum of one year of relevant experience and must be certified or become certified within one year.
• Valid Florida Driver's License and ability to transport clients in own personal vehicle.
• Ability to operate a computer and develop coherent written correspondence and progress notes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Nice-to-haves

• Familiarity with Microsoft Office programs, specifically Word and Excel.
• Sensitivity to the cultural and socioeconomic characteristics and needs of the service population.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental and Vision insurance
• Teladoc (24/7 online access to doctors)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employer paid life insurance (1X salary)
• 13 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday
• Generous PTO policy (starting at 16 working days a year)
• 403(b) Retirement plan with 3% discretionary employer match or 3% student loan repayment reimbursement
• Tuition reimbursement