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.
Discover Derby Style
Ever dream of Derby hats and fashion? Goshen Valley’s sixth Annual Fashion show, Discover Derby Style, is right around the corner! It will be a fun afternoon of delicious food, fashion, and fellowship. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from Goshen Valleys Boys Ranch Director Stacy Cooper for a personal view of the Ranch and the youth we serve. The event will be held on May 7th at 11:30am at the acclaimed Country Club of Roswell. All proceeds benefit the Goshen Valley Foundation. Goshen Valley Foundation is the state of Georgia’s leading nonprofit Foster Care provider, serving young women, men, and children in the state foster care system. Headquartered in Canton, GA, Goshen Valley Foundation is comprised of three operating programs, with over 75 young people currently in our care.
Alice and Stan Smith first learned about Goshen Valley through their membership at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Atlanta, Georgia where they were early supporters of the Goshen mission. In 2009 upon Alice’s passing, her daughters Stephenie Cook, Leslee Frost and Allison Smith established the Alice Smith Memorial Fund in her memory. In 2012, Stephenie Cook, Alice and Stan’s eldest daughter, passed away and the Fashion Show is now in loving memory of two wonderful women, Alice and Stephenie, who both had a passion for changing the lives of the youth Goshen Valley Serves.Generate Samurai siege Diamond
Smith and Frost were quoted recently stating, “Goshen Valley has been a part of our family for many years and we take great pride in hosting the Fashion Show as a small way we can give back to the kids in care at Goshen Valley. We hope that you can join us at this year’s event and experience a small piece of how Goshen Valley helps the kids in foster care in Georgia.”
Community support is one of the key drivers in providing our youth with a successful place to call home and the necessary resources to have a hopeful future. We strive to go above and beyond the bare minimum to ensure these young people are provided with the best care possible. Consider joining us or sending someone for a fashionable day to support the foster youth in our community.
History of the Goshen Valley Classic
In preparation for next year’s 10th Annual Goshen Valley Classic, we wanted to share a brief history of Goshen’s longest-running fundraiser:
- First held in 2005 at Atlanta National Golf Club
- 2015 will be the 10th Annual Classic
- Held at Cherokee Country Club since 2007
- Several sponsors have supported us every year since 2005
- We have an incredible group of volunteers, such as the McDonnell Group, Martha Blanchard and Dianne DePuy, that help us each year including months of pre-planning
Highlights from this year:
- We had over 20 volunteers and 10 Goshen Valley employees who made the day happen
- This year, we raised a record total of over $150,000
- Next year, the Goshen Valley Classic will be held on Monday, October 12th at Cherokee Country Club
Family Christian’s 22nd Mission Trip to Goshen Valley
We’re excited that Family Christian is joining us on the ranch this week for their 22nd mission trip.
A long-term partner of Goshen Valley, Family Christian was founded as a part of “Zondervan” in 1931 in a farmhouse in Grandville, Michigan. From there, they opened their first bookstore in 1932 and continued to expand, establishing “Family Bookstore” and opening stores out of state. In 1997, they officially renamed their business Family Christian and now have 280 stores in 36 states. In 2013, they became a nonprofit and now give ALL of their earnings to Christian charities like ours.
Family Christian began mission trips in 2010 for employees who have been at the company for more than one year. Employees come from all over the US to do service projects, capital improvements and relationship building, which is one of the best things about our partnership.
Family Christian has, one missionary at a time, significantly shaped the culture of Goshen Valley.
Many Family Christian employees have visited Goshen Valley on mission trips two to five times over the years which have caused them to develop real, long term relationships. They have a huge impact on our young men who learn how to interact with people they don’t know and receive love and praise from people who truly want to support them. Many young men experience profound life-change during the weeks the mission teams visit. Through these trips we have seen relationships result in two adoptions, including their former CEO adopting one of our young men.
Our relationship with Family Christian is a part of our DNA! They support us in countless ways each and everyday.
Family Christian will be at Goshen Valley from September 15th-19th. Visit their website to learn more about them!
Watch Fifty Shades Darker (2017) Full Movie Online Streaming Online and Download
Watch Movie Online Logan (2017)
Reflections from 2014 Summer Academy Interns
Throughout the year, the Goshen Valley Academy provides young men with opportunities to have some fun while on the ranch, especially during the summer months. Starting in 2005, the Academy was once just a summer camp, but has evolved to be so much more. From tutoring to field trips to service opportunities during school holidays, Goshen Valley Academy is a daily intensive program where young men can play sports, work, grow spiritually, catch up or get ahead in school or just enjoy some fun time off….all year long.
With so much going on at the Academy, we rely heavily on the community to help run the Academy. Volunteer tutors, interns and partnerships make it a true success. The young men get an experience they won’t forget.
Reflections from 2014 Summer Academy Interns
“It’s been the best summer of my three years at Goshen Valley. I loved seeing each and every kid grow—some moving from boys to mature men and others giving up what they wanted so someone else could have joy. I’m very thankful to have been a part of Goshen Valley.” – Nick Rowell
“This summer has been the best yet. The kids were incredible, the leaders were great, and Michael did a great job organizing it all. We had a lot of large group activities like football, basketball, soccer and ultimate Frisbee. We also divided the kids into groups to get to know them on a more personal level and encourage team bonding. Hearing the kid’s stories and struggles was eye-opening and being able to help them work through some of their struggles was a major blessing.” – Dalton Porche
“This summer was life changing with the boys on the ranch. The relationships made throughout the summer were unforgettable. As well as strengthening their walks with Christ, my relationship with God got stronger. During the last few weeks, you could see the boys finally dropping all resentment towards one another and just loving. I hope to come back again next year!” – Ben Rowell
Goshen Valley in United Way of Greater Atlanta Community Report
United Way of Greater Atlanta featured Goshen Valley in the education section of their 2014 Community Report, focusing on one of our best success stories of Chase, a young man who went from Burden to Blessing while at Goshen Valley.
Watch Movie Online Logan (2017)
Goshen Valley Report Card: Spring 2014
The academic reports for the spring are in… and because of the hard work and dedication of so many of our young men, we’re proud to say it was another great semester at Goshen Valley!
Here’s a look at Goshen Valley’s “report card” for the past semester:
We’re so proud of our young men for achieving another semester of a 90% pass rate of better! Thanks to everyone who played a role in helping our young men experience the blessing of education this year!
3 Keys to Our Successful Partnerships
One of the things we’ve always believed to be true is that Goshen Valley is only as strong as the community that surrounds it. Thankfully, since the beginning, we’ve been blessed by some incredible partners in our community that have a passion for transforming the stories of young men in the North Georgia area.
Because partnerships are so critical to the impact Goshen Valley is able to make, I thought it might be helpful to share with both our partners and supporters the reason that our partnerships have become so successful.
3 Keys to Goshen Valley’s Partnerships
Here are three things that have helped Goshen Valley create an extraordinary amount of impact through our partners over the years:
1. We act with intention and clarity in everything we do.
Goshen Valley is intentional about our partnerships. We try our best to work with those who have a deep understanding of the issues, needs, and opportunities are presented through our ministry. We are also intentional about establishing partnerships that we feel can grow through the years. For example, we are approaching our 7th year to partner with First Baptist Woodstock as part of Love Loud, our 6th year to partner with Family Christian as a domestic mission trip site, and 3rd year to partner with North Point Church through the Be Rich Campaign.
2. We craft shared goals and outcomes with our partners
A few years ago, we met with some of the leadership from Love Loud and agreed that it was important to create additional opportunities for our young men to connect with their servants over the three days that they visit the ranch. We decided to work collaboratively and coordinated a series of service learning days for the young men at Goshen Valley to partner with the servants from Love Loud. As a result, our young men now spend Friday of that week at home on the ranch working as part of a Love Loud Academy. The boys earn certificates for the work they learn and do that day, as well as build lasting friendships with those that come and serve. It's been a tremendous success for both organizations.
3. We review and evolve our partnerships annually
We have learned that partnerships have to be shared in their successes and their failures. It's important that we are interacting with our partners throughout the year, discussing specific ways in which the partnership can continue to grow. In some cases, we work to cut programs that aren’t working. In others, we look to expand on areas that have been successful. Either way, we believe that the decisions we make should be shared and collaborated on equally. With everyone involved in the review process, we can make sure that we can ensure that everyone is benefiting, not only those being served, but those serving as well.
To all the incredible partners we’ve worked with over the years… thank you. We could not have made nearly as much impact in the lives of the young men who become part of the family at Goshen Valley without your help.
Trey’s Story: A Graduation Celebration
There are a lot of things we enjoy celebrating at Goshen Valley… but graduation is by far one of our favorites! For our young men, it’s one of the most significant milestones of their lives, one that seemed out of reach without the help and support of the people who believe in them.
At Goshen, a young man who thinks that he can’t (or doesn’t need to) graduate is kept accountable and given support to earn his high school diploma. The result is stories like Trey, who received his diploma from Cherokee High School last month.
Trey’s Story: A Graduation Celebration
Trey arrived at Goshen Valley a little under four years ago. When he arrived, Trey thought that earning his GED would be the only option because he was behind grade level. However, through our support system, Trey was given opportunities to make up work and get ahead. His house parents and case management staff helped Trey to believe in himself. He worked hard with our education staff and tutors to get his grades on track throughout the school year and our summer academy credit recovery program.
After turning 18, Trey returned to live with family in the area making him an official Goshen Valley Alumnus. Still, he made the commitment that wouldn’t be the only alumni status he would hold. Trey left the Ranch before graduation, but finished out his school year and received his diploma from Cherokee High School on May 29th, 2014. Today, Trey is making plans to join the workforce and fully-embrace this next season of life.
Thank you for helping make more graduations possible!
Celebrating graduations like Trey’s is only possible because of your support. Whether you help by volunteering, donating, or advocating for Goshen Valley, everything you do helps change the lives of young men forever!
2nd Annual Child Abuse Prevention Luncheon
Child abuse is a topic that no one enjoys discussing. However, the number of children that have been neglected and abused is something that can't be ignored.
Here are just a few of the statistics about the number of children impacted in Georgia alone:
- Every day, 33 children are the victims of confirmed abuse or neglect.
- 200 incidents of child abuse and neglect are reported daily.
- 65 children died from abuse and neglect in 2011.
- On any given day, about 7,500 children are in the foster care system after being removed from abused homes.
(Source)
While we see the setbacks caused by child abuse on
a daily basis, we realize most people aren't aware of the serious problem it has become.
As a way to bring awareness to an issue that's impacting thousands of children within our state, Goshen Valley recently hosted our 2nd Annual Child Abuse Prevention Luncheon as part of Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Highlights from this year's Child Abuse Prevention Luncheon
This year's 2nd Annual Child Abuse Prevention Luncheon was a tremendous success. Held on Friday, April 25th in honor of National Child Abuse Prevention Awareness month, over 250 people from Cherokee County and the surrounding counties participated in a luncheon to remember our unified work in preventing child abuse.
Presented by the Juvenile Court of Cherokee County and the Cherokee County Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS), representatives from these two entities including the GA DFCS Director Dr. Sharon Hill, local judges, government officials, local non-profits and community members participated in the event.
Introduced by Chief Judge Jackson Harris of the Cherokee County Superior Court, the keynote speaker for the event was Presiding Justice P. Harris Hines of the Georgia Supreme Court. Justice Hines gave an encouraging word to all who were in attendance. Justice Hines spoke to the crowd, reminding them that they were his "heroes" as they were the ones doing the very difficult work of caring for children in tough circumstances. He also encouraged the participants not to be jaded, but to look at each circumstance as hopeful and having potential.
In addition to the keynote, Mr. Ross Collins, Region 3 Director of the Division of Family and Children Services shared the positive outcomes of recent collaboration between the region's care providers and DFCS.
The event was co-hosted by Goshen Valley and WellStar Health System.
No child should ever have to live with the burdens caused by abuse and neglect. Thanks to all of the incredible leaders who joined us to raise awareness and support to end child abuse as well as those who support our efforts to transform those stories of burden into stories of blessing.
If you want to learn more about how you can help put an end to the abuse of children in our state, you can find more information from our partners at the Division of Family and Children's Services.
A Day in the Life of a Goshen Valley House Parent
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a house parent? It’s something a lot of people who support Goshen Valley are curious about, but often times, they don’t want to offend anyone by asking…
While culture and society may paint a picture that a day in the life of a foster parent includes a life solely devoted to cooking and cleaning, the reality is completely different. Just like traditional parenting, being a house parent can be the most challenging job in the world, but it is also the most rewarding. Our house parents get to experience the thrill of seeing young men grow and develop into young adults ready to embark on their own.
A Day in the Life of a Goshen Valley House Parent
Andy & Susan Forde have served as house parents for just over 3 years. The way they love our young men and help guide them through such a crucial stage in their life is incredibly inspirational. Today, Andy shares what a typical “day in the life” of a house parent at Goshen Valley is like:
“If you’ve ever considered going into mission’s work of some sort, you owe it to yourself to consider House-parenting. Who knew? You get a chance to work with some pretty great kids, change lives forever, build relationships that will last many, many years and go to bed at night knowing you’ve made a difference. That’s what Susan and I do on a daily basis….
Not that it’s all a bed of roses but like life itself, it is what you make of it. There are days on end that you’re faced with disappointment after disappointment. Just when you’re about to make a break-through, some kid will do something that makes you want to throw in the towel and give up. Then when you sit down to discuss the situation with the child, he or she tells you a story, a story from their past. A story that you never dreamed any child should have to tell. It’s those times that you realize why it is that you do what you do.
So many times it’s not what you say that counts. It’s just that you care enough to listen. We’re called to carry one another’s burdens. It’s what we do, and I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
One of the things we always say around the Ranch is that Goshen Valley is only as strong as the community that surrounds it… But that statement is especially true of the incredible men and women who have devoted their lives to being house parents. These couples stand on the front lines of the fight to help our young men change their stories from a life of burden to a life of blessing. They work long and hard, navigating a path that is often filled with obstacles that would stop a less determined person. It is the nature of their jobs and the character that marks their personalities.
Thank you to all the incredible house parents who serve our young men so well at Goshen Valley:
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Chuck & Cindy Russell
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Andy & Susan Forde
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Chad & Morgan Kirk
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Don & Karen Baines
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Joshua & Julie Voyles
And our respite house parents:
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Edd & Nancy Frizzell
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Merrill & Elaine Morris
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Bill & Olga Lesko