RRTS Caseworker -Ankeny

Four Oaks Family And Childrens Services; Ankeny (IA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision insurance

401k Retirement plan

Growth & Advancement opportunities

Paid leave time

7 Paid holidays

Flexible Work Schedule

Business casual environment

Job summary

Four Oaks Family And Childrens Services in Ankeny, IA, is seeking a dedicated Caseworker to join our team serving the Ankeny/Des Moines area. You will conduct pre-screening, write comprehensive home studies for foster and adoptive families, and submit recommendations to HHS, ensuring timely approvals and ongoing compliance.

You will travel to meet Resource Families, provide training, support placement stability, document contacts per CareMatch, and assist with permanency planning from placement

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services or related field with one year of related experience preferred.
• Knowledge of the foster care and adoption systems preferred.
• Willingness to travel to stakeholder meetings and to meet Resource Families in their homes.

Responsibilities

• Pre-screens potential foster families.
• Writes comprehensive home study assessments for prospective and current foster/adoptive families and submits to HHS.
• Meets contract requirements for supportive contacts for Resource Families.
• Assists with or provides recommendations regarding match referrals.
• Assesses placement options and helps with timely matches.
• Travels to meet Resource Families and attend stakeholder meetings.
• Documents contacts using CareMatch procedures and required forms.
• Supports pre-adoptive families through to adoption and ensures placement stability.
• Ensures licensing/approval standards are followed and kept current.

Skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Human Services, Social Work, Behavioral Sciences or related field

Job description

JOIN OUR TEAM & MAKE AN IMPACTFUL DIFFERENCE!What you will do?As the Caseworker you will specialize in providing services in the Ankeny/Des Moines area.Specific duties include:Conducts pre-screening activities for potential foster families.Writes complete, thorough, and unbiased home study assessments or prospective and current foster and adoptive families, recommending licensure and/or adoption approval and submitting timely to HHS.Meets contract requirements for supportive contacts for Resource Families with or without placements.Supports Resource Families to keep children stable for as long as a placement is needed.Provides pre-service and/or in-service training as requested.Assists with or provides recommendations regarding match referrals.Assesses strengths and limitations of placement options.Assists with troubleshooting procedures when matches are potentially late.When requested to assist, promptly responds to provide one or more names of Resource Families who may meet the requested referral criteria for a child.Documents contact with Resource Families timely using appropriate CareMatch procedures and required forms.Assesses permanency needs of the child/youth.Conducts initial, renewal, update, ICPC, and relative home studies as assigned.Demonstrates professional written and verbal communication with HHS/JCS.Travels as necessary to complete functions of job including attending stakeholder meetings, meeting Resource Families in their home environment, attending training or support group venues.Meets with prospective or current Resource Families/children in their homes at designated intervals as required by contract at times of day on days of the week in which the family is available, which often will include evenings and weekendsSupports pre-adoptive families through to adoption to assure stability.Maintains current and accurate awareness of all Iowa Administrative Code Resource Family licensing/approval standards.Assists Resource Families with remaining in compliance with standards.Why Work here?Four Oaks understands the importance of supporting and treating one another as if they were our own family members. We believe in maintaining a healthy work/life balance while providing career paths for everyone. Our organization flourishes in an environment of equal opportunity and fair treatment for all. The effects of diversity and inclusion have created an atmosphere of positivity which connects us to the customers we serve. As a valued team member, you are eligible for:Medical, dental & vision insurance401k Retirement planGrowth & Advancement opportunitiesExcellent paid leave time package7 Paid holidaysFlexible Work ScheduleBusiness casual work environmentWhat you need:You need a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services, Social Work, Behavioral Sciences or related field, plus one year of related experience. Knowledge of the foster care and adoption systems is preferred.