Foster Care Case Manager

Foster Care Case Manager

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Full Time, Salaried – Eligible Child Welfare Division, Grand Rapids, MI, US

Salary Range: $43,888.00 to $48,000.00 Annually

Reports To:

Foster Care Supervisor

Designation:
Full Time, Salaried, Exempt

Position Summary:

Foster Care Case Managers play a critical role in supporting children and families within the child welfare system. They begin working with children following a court order that removes the child from their home and continue providing support throughout the child’s time in foster care. In this role, case managers work directly with children, parents, caregivers, and a multidisciplinary team to maintain the child’s safety, well-being, and stability.

Their ultimate goal is to help each child achieve permanency—whether through safe reunification with a parent, adoption, guardianship, or preparation for independent living.

• Monthly home visits with foster children and monthly visits with parents of foster children.
• Timely report writing, including quarterly case reports for judges and attorneys.
• Court testimony and regular court appearances to update the court on progress.
• Commitment to learn and comply with MDHHS foster care policies and procedures as outlined in the Foster Care Online Manual.
• Commitment to learn and comply with applicable rules and regulations from the Department of Child Welfare Licensing (DCWL).
• Timely completion of computer‑based and paperwork reporting.
• Assume a caseload of approximately 13 children.
• Cooperate and assist other agency staff and partner agencies with necessary paperwork.
• Coordinate and monitor community resources and services for clients.
• Attend agency, team, and adoption planning meetings.
• Develop initial and updated service plans and parent‑agency agreements.
• Participate in required case‑related activities such as court hearings, pre‑hearing conferences, Family Team Meetings, and Foster Care Review Board meetings.
• Safely transport youth and be available at night and weekends in addition to on‑call hours.
• Perform other responsibilities as outlined in agency policies or assigned by the supervisor.
• Work more than 40 hours per week when necessary.

General Direction – Plans and arranges own work. Uses a wide range of procedures to accomplish assigned objectives.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or a closely related Human Services field (Master’s a bonus). Must be approved by the Bureau of Children and Adult Licensing (BCAL).
• Positive acceptance of supervision to learn case management, assessment, and treatment skills.
• Commitment to providing excellent child welfare services.
• Child welfare experience is a plus.
• Experience or training in counseling, interviewing, family assessment, and crisis intervention.
• Valid driver’s license, good driving record, and reliable vehicle for transportation.
• Understanding and sensitivity to clients’ cultural and socioeconomic characteristics; personal qualities of warmth, sensitivity, and ability to establish meaningful relationships with diverse cultures.

• Working under pressure, maintaining composure and encouraging collective problem‑solving.
• Planning and organizing, setting priorities and allocating resources fairly.
• Detail orientation, maintaining accuracy and completeness.
• Customer service, listening and responding to diverse needs.
• Adaptability, adjusting to changing priorities and organizational needs.
• Mobility and movement between office, community, homes, and court settings.
• Lifting & physical handling of occasional items and assisting children as needed.
• Technology and documentation, using computers, mobile devices, and case management systems.
• Communication, engaging verbally and in writing; observing non‑verbal cues.
• Driving and transportation, traveling in varying weather and traffic conditions with a valid license.
• Emotional and psychological resilience, maintaining professionalism in sensitive situations.
• Safety awareness & crisis response, recognizing risks and responding…