Case Manager II, Refugee Foster Care

PROGRAM OVERVIEW: Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County (CCSCC) helps people of all cultures and beliefs rise up out of poverty and overcome barriers to economic mobility and wellness. For over 15 years, the agency has resettled unaccompanied minors who have fled their homelands due to persecution, war, and violence. CCSCC offers long-term, tailored, wrap-around services, and is unlike any other program in the Bay Area.

The Refugee Foster Care (RFC) program provides culturally and linguistically responsive child welfare, foster care, and independent living services to unaccompanied youth in the U.S. who are refugees, Cuban/Haitian entrants, asylees, victims of human trafficking, U-visa holders, and youth who have Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. Clients may have PTSD, substance abuse issues, mental health and medical needs and other special needs. RFC supports youth with foster care placement, housing, education, health, medical, immigration, mental health, independent living services, and with family reunification efforts when possible. RFC uses strength-based, trauma-informed, and culturally relevant models to build and expand on a youth's natural resources.

POSITION SUMMARY: The Case Manager supports the social work team to provide a broad range of case management services to unaccompanied refugee minors and non-minor dependents in the Refugee Foster Care (RFC) program. This position functions with a high degree of independent accountability, in accord with professional and ethical standards, organizational policies, and specific contractual requirements. This position is part of a multi-disciplinary team and requires a high degree of adaptability, flexibility, and collaborative work in planning for the needs of each individual client.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

CLIENT SERVICES

• Assist social workers in meeting and caring for the overall welfare of children and non-minor dependents in the RFC program, including but not limited to, educational, social, recreational, cultural, mental health, dental, medical, independent living skills, and legal needs.
• Support social workers in conducting monthly home visits, as needed.
• Support with a family-centered model in working with children, families, and community partners.
• Assist in the creation of positive behavioral interventions, incentive plans, and other types of positive behavioral modification techniques.
• Assist social workers to identify youth needs and available resources as part of the development of a client’s Needs & Services Plan (N&S Plan) and Transitional Independent Living Plan (TILP) as appropriate; support implementation of N&S Plan and TILP.
• Coordinate services with other professionals and agencies, e.g. teachers, pastors, physicians, employers, social workers, partner agencies, etc.
• Develop resource connections in the community to meet client needs; coordinate and maintain strong community partnerships with these identified services.

TEAM FUNCTIONS

• Provide support within an interdisciplinary team (social workers, resource parents, case managers, mental health clinicians, educators, doctors) to promote the best interest of a youth and coordinate services (e.g. school progress, health or mental health issues, social outings, and planning for independent living) to meet youth needs.
• Collaborate with the Independent Living Program (ILP) staff and youth’s assigned Social Worker to provide independent living skills training and one-on-one support to clients.
• Participate in Children & Family Team meetings and Team Decision Meetings for Placement.
• Facilitate and support with trainings and events on select weekends such as, but not limited to, ILP workshops, resource family pre-certification classes, and Quarterly Resource Parent trainings.
• Assist with Family Night gatherings including planning, preparation and co-facilitate youth groups as needed.
• Assist with transportation needs of youth.
• Assist with pre-arrival processes including, but not limited to, participating in pre-placement calls in preparation for a new client arrival.
• Assist with post-arrival activities including, but not limited to, airport welcome, new arrival orientation, activities related to the adjustment to American culture, referrals for initial health screenings, applying for social security cards, benefits enrollment, etc.
• Assist with electronic file audits in AWARDS.
• Maintain meticulous client files in AWARDS, ensuring documentation of client contacts, record of services, and other documentation requirements in a timely manner.
• Assist in the recruitment and training of resource parents, as needed.
• Represent the agency at meetings and conferences, as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in social work, social services-related field or other relevant area and comparable experience.
• At least one (1) year working with child welfare agencies, immigrants/refugees/asylees, foster care programs, or youth and family services highly preferred.
• Training in trauma-informed care preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Bi- or multi-lingual in one or more language commonly spoken by youth in the URM Program (Spanish, Arabic, French, Tigrinya, Amharic, Kiswahili, Farsi, Dari, Rohingya) preferred but not required.
• Knowledge of child development stages.
• Knowledge of CA State child welfare regulations.
• Excellent cross-cultural experience and ability to work well with a diverse population.
• Proficient oral and written English skills.
• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and multi-task.
• Proficient computers skills: Microsoft Office (Outlook, Teams, etc.)
• Ability to establish and maintain personal and programmatic boundaries while providing supportive services.
• Maintain a professional confidential work environment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to work at a desk for extended periods of time.
• Ability to use a computer workstation.
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs.
• Ability to drive or use reliable transportation for client services and needs.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

• Criminal background check via livescan fingerprint.
• Must have TB test performed and submit results.
• Automobile and valid driver’s license and auto insurance per agency policy.

TRAVEL

• Frequent travel within the Bay Area Counties served by the RFC Program (Santa Clara, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Alameda, Contra Costa, San Benito).
• Occasional travel beyond RFC's service range in the Bay Area and out-of-state.

HOURS AND OTHER CONDITIONS

• Standard office hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• This position requires the ability to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs and availability of clients and resource families. 
• All program staff might be expected to work at least one evening per month and at least one Saturday per month.

This position description outlines the general nature and responsibilities of the role but is not exhaustive. Duties may be modified at any time to respond to client needs and agency operations.

Catholic Charities is a non-profit, non-discriminatory service organization and employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, or disability. Persons seeking employment are entitled to freedom from harassment and retaliation and reasonable accommodation for qualified disabilities.