Rachel Blend

Job Description: Lead Therapeutic Case Manager (Goshen Homes)

JOB TITLE:  Lead Therapeutic Case Manager

REPORTS TO:  Executive Director

JOB FUNCTION:  The Goshen Homes Lead Therapeutic Case Manager will be responsible for the direct supervision of up to 5 Therapeutic Case Managers.  The Lead TCM carries a partial caseload and assumes additional responsibilities as needed in the areas of church recruitment and relationships, volunteer management, and training coordination.  

Core Responsibilities and Expectations

• Abides by all agency policies and procedures, core values
• Maintains confidentiality of client’s and agency information
• Seeks clarification from their manager in areas of uncertainty
• Displays integrity and honesty in all situations
• Abides by professional code of ethics and licensing standards
• Serves as an appropriate role model for children, families and staff by demonstrating Christ-like behaviors in all settings
• Demonstrates and promotes an image that is consistent with agency mission and values
• Maintains professional boundaries
• Effectively practices self-care
• Manages time effectively
• Believes in every individual’s capacity to make positive change
• Maintains a flexible work schedule to meet ministry needs
• Participates in Goshen events as needed
• Demonstrates dependability by being punctual to work, meetings, and appointments
• Requests PTO and/or flex time from their direct supervisor and obtains prior approval
• Does not take PTO and/or flex time unless their job duties are covered and/or completed
• Provides maximum span of control of five case managers and 75-80 foster children
• Review and approve case management documents and assure that documentation is completed accurately and timely
• Review and maintain PBC contracting scores with a goal of remaining at a level A agency status
• Participates in on-call rotation as needed
• Monitors required CEU’s for case managers and enters/approves trainings
• Monitor all site visits with state regulatory officials in collaboration with the Executive Director
• Manages all critical incidents & reporting to state OPM/RCC/CPS investigations, etc. in collaboration with the Executive Director
• Participates in the PQI and Risk Management process
• Coordinate the activity of casemanagers with ultimate responsibility for the quality and stability of services including but not limited to:
  • Ensures children and families receive timely and appropriate services such as medical, dental, educational, mental health, social and behavioral
  • Is an active advocate for children and families
  • Supports a goal that has children and families best interest at all times
  • Maintains and abides by all court orders
  • Monitors the need for and facilitates discharge planning when appropriate
  • Assists and supports permanency planning for children who are unable to be reunified
  • Supports birth family relationships as appropriate
  • Coordination of visitation with birth family
  • Provide 24/7 care as needed to meet foster children and foster family needs
  • Provides post-placement & pre-placement visits with foster families to promote optimum utilization
  • Works and collaborates with individuals including DFCS, CMS, GAL, child attorneys, service providers, etc. on their cases to move them toward permanency
• Evaluates performance of family consultants, completes 360 feedbacks, 90 day and annual evaluations
• Provide for dissemination of information to case manger’s in collaboration with other developments within the county DFCS and the child protective service field and changes within the state of Georgia’s child welfare environment
• Collaborate with Home Study Team regarding new family approval, home compliance, and on-hold status of families
• Assign new families to foster family case manager’s and manage utilization of caseloads
• Collaborates with Placement Team and referral/intake to make placement and clinical matching decisions
• Manage budget line items for case manager’s and approve spending as needed
• Recognizes the intrinsic worth in all families and children and provides equal service to all

• Maintains sensitivity to issues of race, religion, culture, ethnicity and other issues of diversity
• Seeks solutions to problems and accepts feedback from others
• Accepts constructive criticism and works on strengthening areas that need improvement
• Maintains a positive attitude
• Exhibits high emotional intelligence and can effectively engage others in various situations
• Maintains timely communication with others
• Treats clients, staff, foster parents and external contacts with respect and dignity
• Contributes toward a team oriented culture and works well with others
• Provides regular clinical supervision to family case manager’s and supervision documentation
• Coordinates and/or participates in court hearings, family team meetings, home visits, panel reviews, birth family contacts, educational advocacy, permanency round tables, clinical staffing’s and other meetings as needed
• Communicates with home study team any foster home licensing needs, concerns, changes, and ministry re-engagement plans
• Communicates with all service providers regarding progress and direction of case as appropriate
• Works with case manager’s and foster parents to prevent placement disruptions
• Understands and supports family systems
• Utilizes clinical and consulting skills to provide coaching and support to case managers
• Ability to teach case manager’s to recognize a client for self-harm/suicide/homicide risk and make appropriate referrals
• Demonstrates an ability to teach case manager’s to have a working knowledge of trauma and how that impacts the children and families served.
• Demonstrates authentic, honest and effective communication skills
• Ability to teach case manager’s to intervene and provide clinical skills, crisis intervention, and mediation
• Ability to teach case manager’s de-escalation techniques
• Represents Goshen in the targeted geography and maintain DFCS county relationships through partnership meetings
• Promotes culture of team-work, collaboration through intentional efforts/activities
• Conducts routine team meetings & other opportunities for team building & mission/ministry focus discussions
• Collaborates with church partners to maintain good working relationships
• Participates in Community Partner meetings and provides education regarding ministry & collaboration efforts
• Provides crisis management/mediation when issues arise with foster families, case manager’s, and church partners

• Effectively meets deadlines
• Ensures accuracy of all records, reports and documentation
• Completes documentation accurately, thoroughly and timely in compliance with program standards and regulations
• Maintains organized files
• Displays a strong discernment and decision making skills
• Displays effective, clear, concise writing skills
• Reports to management any events that impact safety, permanency and well-being of children and families
• Assists with conflict and crisis in a professional manner

• Demonstrates ability to navigate high stress situations and conflict using emotional and spiritual maturity

• Works diligently to be well-informed regarding case management performance and relationships with clients/church partners
• Advocates strongly on issues that are important to the child’s well-being, safety and permanency
• Demonstrates an ability to positively navigate transition and change and models flexibility for others
• Provide direct services to foster families, foster children and their biological families as needed when case managers need coverage
• Participate in the sourcing, recruiting, and hiring of case managers
• On-boards and trains new case manager’s and other Goshen staff as it relates to the field team operations
• Manages on-call rotation for case managers after hours line
• Provides 24/7 support on call to case manager’s and the on-call foster family after hours line

• Actively engaged in a local church
• Communicates prayer requests to Goshen team for families and clients
• Encourages spiritual growth in co-workers and contributes toward a Christ-centered culture

• Abides by church partner agreements

• Completes all continuing education requirements and all required trainings
• Demonstrates inner drive, discipline, self-motivation,
• Demonstrates innovation and creativity to accomplish the mission
• Completes other duties as assigned
• Utilizes forward thinking and displays the ability to plan and think strategically

EQUIPMENT USED: Personal vehicle & cell phone, copy machine, fax, computer

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience: Master’s Degree in Human Services Field (i.e., Social Work, Psychology, Behavioral Science, Counseling, Ministry/Theology, or other related degree). Clinical Experience: Strong clinical knowledge, particularly in the areas of childhood trauma, family-systems, substance abuse. Strong coaching/counseling and crisis intervention skills. Experience with GA Score and Shines preferred, but not required. Georgia RBWO Foundations Certified or waiver eligible is beneficial, but not required.

Skill Requirements: Strong interpersonal skills, maturity and sensitivity to cultural and individual differences in clients, staff, foster parents and families served.  Effective oral and written communication skills.  Ability to work within a treatment team.  Ability to handle job related matters in a professional, diplomatic and confidential manner.  Knowledge of community resources and services.  Ability to organize and execute responsibilities in an independent manner.  Possesses the spiritual gift of discernment.  

Physical Requirements: Hearing and speaking ability which allows for effective oral communication of information.  Ability to physically transport self and clients to various locations.  Physical and emotional stamina to effectively handle job related issues and stress.  Flexibility to offer 24/7 support to families and accomplish tasks as needed after normal business hours.

by Rachel Blend