ICWA CASE MANAGER/ADVOCATE/SOCIAL WORKER - OMBIMINDWAA GIDINAWEMAAGANINAADOG (FAMILY & CHILDREN SERVICES)

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

ICWA CASE MANAGER/ADVOCATE/SOCIAL WORKER

OMBIMINDWAA GIDINAWEMAAGANINAADOG

(FAMILY & CHILDREN SERVICES)

OPEN: October 28, 2021-Until Filled

PRIMARY FUNCTION:

This position is responsible for performing individual and family needs assessments in low to high-risk situations to develop child-specific CWTCM case plans and assist in the coordination of referrals and services in order to assist families with needs to reunify and safely maintain children in the home. The focus is to improve the issues identified by the family, which may include safety and well-being factors, reduce risk factors, increase protective factors, increase competence in parenting factors and abilities, and/or family stabilization. This position works as a ICWA ADVOCATE/CASE MANAGER on behalf of the tribe, for families involved in Beltrami child welfare system. There are options for hybrid/remote and in person field work within this position. Reports to ICWA Program Manager, full time w/benefits, salary; Negotiable.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

• Collaborate with primary county case managers to develop appropriate case plans

• Meet parents, children, kinship and foster providers in community, develop rapport and support all levels of the family system with an emphasis on preservation and reunification

• Attend court hearings and advocate for ICWA compliance and tribe's position as to case planning and placement of child in both CHIPS and Permanency Proceedings

• Create Child Welfare Targeted Case Management (CWTCM) case plans for all children being served. Follow CWTCM guidelines for assessment, visitation, documentation and billing

• Connect with collaterals such as Guardian Ad Litem, Attorneys, school social workers, medical providers, mental health providers, substance use providers, to best advocate for and understand family needs, barriers as well as strengths.

• Develop relationships and build rapport with parents, children, relatives

• Create and engage in Safety Planning and other family centered work that supports family preservation, strengths based case management and natural supports.

• Advise on placement of children

• Advise on permanency planning for children

• Provide referrals, monitor progress at substance abuse services that address family risk and safety issues

• Provide referrals, monitor progress at mental health services that address family risk and safety issues

• Advocate for services in a natural home-based environment that is convenient for the family

• Provide kinship services to identify relative placements and supports for children; including permanent placement resources when necessary

• Assist with referrals to, monitor progress, provide assistance for participation in in-home parenting

• Assist with referrals and support to families to engage in cultural activities that aid well-being

• Advocate for and identify active efforts to families that eliminate barriers to attend or participate in recommended substance abuse, mental health, case management, in-home services, parenting services, culturally based services. Active efforts include but are not limited to: financial support, transportation, communication support, scheduling, arranging services, gathering releases of information, home visiting, and childcare

• Ensure services are strength based and customized to meet individual needs

• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of child development, family dynamics, Anishinaabe child rearing

• Knowledge of the Indian Child Welfare Act and Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act

• Knowledge of family safety and risk factors in the Red Lake community and Urban Native American communities in Minnesota

• Knowledge of substance abuse, mental health, in-home services providers

• Knowledge of case planning and court report components

• Knowledge of assessment and reevaluation of family strengths and needs

• Skilled in conflict de-escalation

• Skilled in community relationships and public relations

• Skilled in utilizing critical thinking skills prior to making decisions

• Skilled in accepting accountability for personal actions

• Skilled in listening, engagement, and building rapport with families

• Skilled in identifying family strengths and building upon them

• Skilled in excellent time management skills

• Ability to help others while getting own work done

• Ability to build healthy relationships with families and extended families

• Ability to learn cultural ways and ceremonial ways of Anishinaabe

• Ability to address and mitigate family risk and safety issues

• Ability to utilize family safety planning and natural supports

• Ability to prioritize issues based on immediacy, urgency, critical nature and handle complex, emergent situations

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and ethics

• Ability to learn from trainings and apply them to work performed

• Ability to navigate electronic records independently

• Ability to work as a team player

• Ability to seek and accept supervision, but operate independently

• Ability to maintain self-care, be self-aware and self-regulate

• Ability to ask for assistance when experiencing secondary worker trauma

• Knowledgeable of historical and generational trauma, and the links between trauma and social disparities in the Anishinaabe community

EDUCTION/WORK EXPERIENCE/QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School or General Education Diploma (G.E.D.) required.

• Prefer Associates Degree OR Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, or related field; or

• 3 years' experience working with families in the area of child welfare, child development, family services or related field preferred but not required

• Ability to pass criminal background check

• Ability to pass drug screening and remain free from substance abuse issues during employment

• Must possess a valid driver's license throughout employment

• Must have a reliable automobile and insurance throughout employment

• Employment contingent upon successfully passing Pre-Employment Drug/Alcohol Test and Background Check

TO APPLY: Applications and copies of diplomas/certificates are being accepted at the Government Center – Human Resources Department, P.O. Box 546, Red Lake, MN 56671 Phone (218) 679-1847. Fax (218) 679-4176.