Case Manager, Supervised Independent Living

Lutheran Social Services of the South, Inc. dba Upbring
Equal Employment Opportunity/M/F/disability/protected veteran status.
Case Manager, Supervised Independent Living
US-TX-Austin
Job ID: 2024-6257
Type: Regular Full-Time
# of Openings: 1
Category: SIL
Upbring
Overview

About Upbring

At Upbring, we are servants on a mission to break the cycle of child abuse. We are warriors, brave as the thousands of Texas Children and families we serve. We stand up for those who can’t speak for themselves. We are a family who values innovation, empathy, patience, understanding and trustworthiness.

About Our BeReal Program

Our Supervised Independent Living program empowers young adults to write the next chapter in their lives and to ultimately achieve independence. Transitioning into adulthood brings challenges for every young person. Those challenges increase dramatically for young adults who age out of foster care with few resources and without a strong support system. Many in this position are unable to find a place to live much less a job or the educational opportunities required to embrace careers and adulthood to the best of their abilities. Upbring helps youth successfully transition from foster care to self-sufficiency and independence by providing support, education planning, and mentorship through our BeREAL programs.

What You'll Do

The Case Manager is responsible for providing case management services to participants to ensure they are meeting their short term and long-term transition goals with the ultimate goal of successfully graduating from the program and moving towards independent living and adulthood in accordance to Agency and licensing standards and federal, state, and local regulatory and funding requirements.

Our Upbring staff members are servant-leaders on the pursuit of breaking the cycle of child abuse and empowering others to do the same through example while embodying our core values: We are Warriors. We are Servants. We are Family.

Responsibilities

We Are Warriors | We Set the Standards for Child Welfare

Work Standards

• Complete the assessment and intake process with each new participant; review program and eligibility guidelines with participants; review eligibility documentation on a weekly and/or monthly basis
• Coordinate move-in of accepted participants, including assistance with setting up utilities, ordering and purchasing necessary furniture, shopping for household items, ensuring final paperwork is complete, and ensuring participant knows residential guidelines; assist with move-in and move-out activities, as needed
• Always maintain participant confidentially; comply with HIPPA and other privacy guidelines to ensure the participant information is kept in strict confidence
• Develop comprehensive assessment tools to ensure effective completion of the assessment and intake process with each new participant
• Review program and eligibility guidelines with participants; review eligibility documentation on a weekly and/or monthly basis and establish and ensure adherence to program and eligibility guidelines with participants
• Utilize techniques and best practices for identifying housing for participants within the service area
• Initiate partnerships and working relationships with housing providers, community leaders, government agencies, and others that may assist in the creation or placement of housing for participants
• Work closely with the Regional Director to provide leadership for the program and interdisciplinary teams to develop a transition plan for participants.
• Review transition plans on a monthly or as needed basis and recommend solutions to the Regional Director according to changes in circumstances and transitional goals
• Provide leadership and coaching for developing young adults regarding independence and life skills, including, but not limited to using public transportation, creating budget/spending plans, time management skills, cooking, cleaning, conflict management, and social skills
• Assist participants with class registration, finding employment and training, completing community service hours, and providing transportation to and from appointments; provide leadership support and weekly or bi-weekly supervision with direct care staff and complete supervision notes and plans
• Provide crisis intervention and de-escalation when needed with young adults
• Coordinate move-in of accepted participants, including assistance with setting up utilities, ordering and purchasing necessary furniture, shopping for household items, ensuring final paperwork is complete, and ensuring participant knows residential guidelines; assist with move-in and move-out activities, as needed
• Conduct home visits to monitor progress and living conditions and provide assistance when needed; document visits and participant progress; ensure participants are following program guidelines and are on track to meet transition goals; provide support and guidance when needed for corrective action and instituting a different approach for achieving the goal(s)
• Coordinate move-in of accepted participants, including assistance with setting up utilities, ordering and purchasing necessary furniture, shopping for household items, ensuring final paperwork is complete, and ensuring participant knows residential guidelines; assist with move-in and move-out activities, as needed
• Conduct home visits to monitor progress and living conditions and provide assistance when needed; document visits and participant progress; ensure participants are following program guidelines and are on track to meet transition goals; provide support and guidance when needed for corrective action and instituting a different approach for achieving the goal(s)
• Always maintain participant confidentially; comply with HIPPA and other privacy guidelines to ensure the participant information is kept in strict confidence
• Travel up to 50% of the time throughout Texas to needed service areas
• Other duties and projects as assigned

Communication

• Maintain weekly contact with participants using available communication channels, document weekly contacts and participant progress
• Complete and maintain accurate case files and records for participants, including official documents; enter and update case notes into Agency database and case file management system; prepare, compile, submit, and maintain accurate records, files, forms, statistics, and other relevant and required information and documentation into the Agency’s database and in accordance to Agency policy, licensing standards, funding requirements, and other federal, state, and local regulatory requirements

We Are Servants | We Help Others

Teamwork

• Work closely with the program director to screen applicants, including referrals, interviewing applicants, conducting life skills assessments, reviewing application materials, and deciding acceptance or denial into the program
• Work with Program Director to identify housing for participants within the service area
• Work closely with the program team and interdisciplinary team to develop a transition plan for participants; review transition plans on a monthly or as needed basis and make necessary revisions according to changes in circumstances and transitional goals
• Assist Foster in Texas (FIT) programs during periods of influx and when SIL caseload is low, as directed by leadership. Duties will include home visits, completing documentation and working with Family Services Workers and Area Directors of FIT location
• Work closely with program director and other service providers to ensure participants are receiving the quality of care and case management services needed and the program services are meeting its established goals and objectives

We Are Family | We Are Passionate & Compassionate

Building Relationships

• Assist the participants with developing independent and life skills, including, but not limited to using public transportation, creating budget/spending plans, time management skills, cooking, cleaning, conflict management, and social skills; assist participants with class registration, finding employment and training, completing community service hours, and providing transportation to and from appointments
• Provide referrals to additional programs and resources that are available to meet the participants’ transition goals; coordinate and attend events and workshops that promote life skill training
• Serve as an advocate and a liaison for the participant; build and maintain positive working relationships with participants’ services providers, such as CPS, CASA, academic advisor, family, interdisciplinary team, and the participants’ support team
• Work closely with volunteers, housing partners, and other program staff to ensure participants are receiving the full scope of available program services and resources to meet transition goals and improve life and social skills
• Work closely with participants to build trust and a positive rapport, while maintaining ethical boundaries always
• Work as team player and exhibit professional behavior and a positive attitude with both internal and external clients that reflects positively on the Agency and is consistent with Agency policies and practices
• Actively participate in exhibiting cultural awareness and sensitivity when interacting with children, parent(s)/guardian(s), staff, and the community

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Social Services, Behavioral Services, or closely related field
• 3 years’ case management experience
• Experience working with child welfare and foster care service populations

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Working knowledge of motivational interviewing techniques
• Ability to establish rapport, trust, and set appropriate ethical boundaries with participants
• Strong writing skills with the ability to properly and accurate document participant care and progress
• Ability to follow instructions and work independently with minimum supervision
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to meet deadlines and manage a diverse caseload
• Strong people and interpersonal skills with the ability to apply compassion and empathy, while dealing with stressful and difficult situations
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and Outlook)
• Ability to drive and travel within service area

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Social Services, Behavioral Services, or closely related field
• LMSW, LCSW, or LPC

Perks at Upbring

• Competitive PTO & paid holidays
• Health, dental, vision insurance & more!
• 403b
• 24/7 access to telemedicine and counseling services
• Gym Memberships
• Donated Leave Program
• Emergency Assistance Program

Physical Demands & Work Conditions

• This position requires sitting and looking and using a computer for long periods of time
• Driving position
• Position works with children and families
• Lift, push, pull, move up to 50 lbs.

The physical requirements for this position with or without reasonable accommodation are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this position successfully. While performing this position the employee with or without reasonable accommodation should have the ability to walk, stand, sit, kneel, speak, and hear with aid, see, read, reach with arms and hands, lift and/or move up to specified weight, and use equipment that is essential to performing the job, such as a computer, copier, fax machine, telephone, and automobile, if applicable. Specific vision requirements of this position may include color vision, seeing things close up, and the ability to adjust focus.

Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. Belonging

We are a diverse and inclusive Organization that recognizes our strength is in the efforts of our selfless warriors. Honoring and recognizing the value and dignity of all individuals is the cornerstone of our agency. The more diverse the individuals, thought processes and lived experiences, the greater the opportunity is to combine unique perspectives to make a greater impact. Our trust, respect, and appreciation for one another is demonstrated through our communication, celebration of progress and relentless effort to be at our best TO FULLFILL OUR MISSION OF BREAKING THE CYCLE OF CHILD ABUSE.

Upbring is an Equal Employment Opportunity/AA Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status.

PI248373302