Child Welfare Case Manager​/Trainee

Lakeland Admin Office, 1010

E. Rose Street, Lakeland, FL 33801, USA

Since opening our doors in 1902, CHS became a part of Florida's history.

CHS has been committed to growing and evolving to provide the right services and solutions to address the needs of children and families throughout the changing times. Every day, our team works with parents and kids to empower them and encourage them. With innovative technology solutions and a dedicated, experienced team throughout the state, we’re changing the face of foster care and positively impacting children and families’ lives for generations to come.

Join our team to continue to do good and create history serving Florida's children and families!

As a Child Welfare Case Manager Trainee/Case Manager you’ll become a part of a strategic care team charged with overseeing the children in need, while addressing the factors that have put them at risk for out‑of‑home placement. Our end goal? To help create permanent, stable, and safe home environments for all of Florida's kids.

Please watch the day in the life "Get Real:
Life as a Case Manager" video linked here in its entirety (required for application purposes) to see if this is the best fit for you!

• Make an impact in your community and become a part of Florida's history
  !
• Growth and professional development opportunities

Identify and assess client and family needs of minors placed in care by DCF due to abuse or neglect by caretakers with the ultimate goal of permanency.

• Conduct child safety assessments.
• Assess client needs and develop service plans.
• Coordinate delivery of services; plan referrals and linkages to clients and families.
• Monitor service plan progress and evaluate reports from multiple service providers.
• Develop and maintain case and program documentation (assessments, treatment and service plans, progress notes, termination summaries, etc.) according to contract and CHS standards.
• Prepare case and status reports and make recommendations; testify in court or other prescribed bodies regarding reunification, termination of parental rights or other permanency plans.
• Conduct diligent searches as required by dependency laws.
• Coordinate services with other professionals and para-professionals.
• Conduct community outreach as needed.
• Provide specialized services such as detainment, interstate compact, post placement supervision, relative and non‑relative caregiver home studies, court testimony, termination of parental rights and judicial review staffing.
• Facilitate stable placement and timely achievement of permanency by providing support to children, caregivers, and family members.
• Assist family and caregivers in accessing subsidy, medical coverage and other needed services for children.
• Coordinate cases with supervisor, team members, providers, DCF and attorneys as needed.
• Facilitate placement and independent living.
• May remove and place children, and/or facilitate mediation staffing for reunification, TPR and detainment.
• Arrange or provide transportation of clients when needed.
• Arrange for drug/alcohol screens as necessary.
• Provide on‑call support as required or scheduled.
• For Adoptions:
  • Assess families for the purpose of adoption.
  • Complete child assessments specific for adoption.
  • Meet agency target/goal for adoption.
  • Complete subsidy packets for families.
  • Follow background requirements for adoption.
  • Adhere to requirements as provided by Florida statute and required by lead agency.
• DCM Trainee candidates only: Attend a paid classroom training program, Phase I Child Protection Certification, and upon successful completion, enter Phase II, a hands‑on supervised field practice that leads to full certification. This on‑the‑job training opportunity will allow you to strengthen your skills in case management.

Education, Licenses & Certifications - DCM Trainee Candidates:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, required.
• Bachelor’s degree in a Human Services related field from an accredited university, preferred.
• Master’s degree in Social Work, preferred.
• Florida Driver’s License within 30 days from hire is required, along with daily access to a reliable and insured vehicle.

Experience - DCM…