Lead Case Manager LTFC, El Paso, Texas

Lutheran Social Services of the South, Inc. dba Upbring

Equal Employment Opportunity/M/F/disability/protected veteran status.


Lead Case Manager LTFC

US-TX-El Paso

Job ID: 2024-6097
Type: Regular Full-Time
# of Openings: 1
Category: Refugee Resettlement Shelters
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 Children's Shelters

Many children begin life in the face of serious challenges. Instead of playing pretend and imagining grand adventures, unaccompanied children face perilous conditions alone as they travel to unfamiliar countries, leaving home and loved ones behind to escape war and violence. Our children’s centers, operated through a grant from the Office of Refugee and Resettlement (ORR), provide safety, stability and wraparound services. We help children grow into adults who have received love and kindness, instead of only violence and chaos.

What You'll Do as a Lead Case Manager

The Lead Case Manager has the overall responsibility of developing and managing the implementation of case management operational policies and procedures and case management services of Unaccompanied Children (UC) in accordance with Agency policies, licensing and funding standards and requirements, and other federal, state, and local regulatory requirements. Responsible for coordinating case management and safe and timely release services, training new case managers, and supervising the work of case managers.

Our Upbring staff members are servant-leaders in 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.

All Upbring Children's Shelters employees must comply with ORR's vaccination mandate.

All staff must be able to show proof of immunity to vaccine-preventable diseases transmitted by the respiratory route if working directly with unaccompanied children (UC). Medical and Religious exemptions may be requested after an offer of employment is accepted.

Responsibilities

We Are Warriors | We Set the Standards for Child Welfare

Lead Case Manager Work Standards

• Review and monitor the intake/eligibility, verification, assessment, and approval process for incoming UC; assist with the interview process of UC to determine eligibility, conduct needs assessment, and obtain pertinent information to assist in the delivery of program services
• Oversee, manage, and ensure family or sponsor reunification for UAC are completed in a timely manner as per ORR required timeframes
• Maintain an active caseload if needed and provide case management services that meet the needs of the UC and is in accordance with Agency policies, licensing and funding standards and requirements, and other federal, state, and local regulatory requirements
• Actively participate and verify case managers are participating in weekly case staffing with ORR designated Case Coordinator. Follow up with any case managers on any identified issues during case staffing. Report to Program Director any elevated cases
• Other duties and special projects as assigned

Communication

• Ensure and monitor the completion of all necessary paperwork, assessments, and documentation within required time frames
• Ensure all Individual Service Plans are completed within required time frames
• Review the completion and accuracy of reunification packets by case managers prior to submitting to third party Case Coordinators
• Maintain systems and processes for required statistical data and reports; complete weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual reports to meet Agency requirements, licensing and funding standards and guidelines, and other regulatory requirements
• Ensure all case management services, case files, and service plan outcomes meet licensing standards and will successfully pass auditing guidelines; complete, maintain, and review case files and records, including, but not limited to official documents, relevant and required information in accordance with licensing and funding standards and requirements and other regulatory requirements
• Provide program updates on case management services including updates during weekly staff meetings or other meetings designated by Program Director

We Are Servants| We Help Others

Teamwork

• Work closely with clinical staff, other professional service providers and foster parents to develop, monitor, manage, and evaluate individual service, safety plans and behavior plans
• Actively assist in coordinating and reviewing UC’s individual service plans, service plan meetings, behavior plans or safety plans
• Provide oversight and guidance for the case management team as it relates to best practices, problem and conflict resolution, and referral services as it relates to providing the highest level of case management services to UAC; serve as an advocate and liaison for the UC; build and maintain positive working relationships with UAC UC service providers, foster families, children’s sponsor/family, and other program/agency staff. This includes actively participating in any ORR required policy update conference calls/trainings and providing timely feedback of updates to both case management staff and information to other required program staff
• Assist with the evacuation of UC in an emergency or natural disaster
• Provide on-call and back-up services as needed
• Work closely with Program Director and other service providers to ensure UC 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

• Respond to escalated issues and concerns raised by a sponsor or UC within a timely manner
• Work closely with case management staff, interdisciplinary teams, and other program service providers to ensure UC are receiving the full scope of available program services and resources to meet Individual Service Plans (ISP)
• Work closely with UC to build trust and a positive rapport, while maintaining ethical boundaries always
• Work as a 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

Developing & Engaging Others

• Coach and support staff to ensure they have the necessary tools and resources needed to optimize performance, ensure established program goals, and achieve operational excellence
• Communicate with direct reports in periodic one-on-one meetings
• Organize and deliver regularly scheduled staff meetings to communicate present, on-going, and future updates of pertinent information, projects, and initiatives
• Work closely with management team to interview, hire, and onboard new employees who are strong cultural fits for Upbring
• Work in collaboration with leadership and the Organizational Development and Culture Team to arrange training; when needed, coordinate and/or provide in-service training for staff development
• Regularly review employee performance, including goals and progress, to provide developmental feedback: use applicable agency development tools to facilitate growth and development in staff
• Draft and issue the 90-day and annual evaluations, along with supporting documentation, as per established procedures; work in collaboration with staff to set goals during evaluation periods

Qualifications

Lead Case Manager Minimum Qualifications

• Bilingual (English and Spanish based on service area and service population)
• Masters’ degree in the behavioral sciences, human services, or social services fields and 1 year supervisory and case management experience
• OR
• Bachelor’s degree and at least 3 years progressive employment experience that demonstrates supervisory and case management experience
• Strong working knowledge of motivational interviewing
• Ability to establish rapport, trust, and boundaries with children, parents, and families
• Strong interpersonal and people skills with the ability to work and interact with diverse groups of people
• The ability to apply compassion and empathy, while dealing with stressful and difficult situations
• The ability to work independently and collaboratively within a group
• Excellent writing skills with the ability to write in a detailed and concise manner, writing free of grammatical errors
• Strong and effective communication (verbal) skills with the ability to clearly communicate thoughts and provide instruction
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to monitor the case management departments heavy caseload and meet deadlines
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook

Lead Case Manager Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with child welfare or other disadvantaged populations
• LMSW, LPC, LCSW, or LMFT

Perks at Upbring

• Competitive PTO & paid holidays
• Health, dental, vision insurance & more!
• 403(b) Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• 24/7 access to telemedicine and counseling services
• Discounted Gym Memberships

Physical Demands & Work Conditions

• This position requires sitting and looking and using a computer for long periods of time
• Position works in a child facility and has constant exposure to children
• 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 fulfill our mission to break 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.

PI239017606