Case Manager– Parent Representation Project

Job Title: Full-Time Case Manager– Parent Representation Project

Job Location: Iowa Legal Aid, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Position Summary: Full-time case manager responsible for providing comprehensive case management services to parents and caretakers involved in DHS and/or juvenile court proceedings. The case manager will work with and under the supervision of attorney staff as part of a team assisting families involved in DHS and juvenile court and other legal proceedings. As an employee of a law firm, the case manager’s duties will include following the policies and practices of Iowa Legal Aid. Duties include intake, resource and support system assessment, goal setting, case plan development, progress monitoring, advocacy and referrals. Case manager would also attend staffing, family team meetings, and other meetings as needed and assist clients in connecting with appropriate providers and resources to remove any barriers clients have to achieving goals.

Responsibilities:

• Conducting eligibility screens of clients
• Conducting comprehensive assessments of clients, including identifying issues with the client that are preventing client from reunification or putting client at risk of entering or returning to juvenile court system and inputting that information into a case management system
• Collaborating with attorneys and clients to develop comprehensive, holistic case/action plans with clients to address social service and legal needs
• Meeting with clients and providing case management services
• Monitoring and tracking client’s progress through in-person meetings, phone calls and other information systems
• Advocating for the client and making requests to providers for appropriate services in a timely manner and in consultation with the attorneys and/or project manager
• Attending court proceedings, administrative hearings and DHS/family team meetings with clients as assigned
• Attending Foster Care Review Board meetings
• Identifying needed community resources for clients and connecting clients to resources
• Developing and maintaining relationships with Linn County community providers and DHS
• Creating/Maintaining a system to track DHS referrals and community referrals for grant purposes
• Organizing and participating in community education and outreach events, including tabling events and presentations

Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in social work, sociology, psychology, family services, or a related field strongly preferred but will consider equivalent relevant work experience and training.  Case manager will be working very closely with an attorney and must have ability to maintain strict client confidentiality.  

Applicants should also have:

• Extensive knowledge of community resources.
• Experience working with persons in crisis.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to establish rapport.
• Ability to motivate others towards achieving goals.
• Experience or ability to work with a diverse population.
• Ability and experience working independently.
• The ability to operate a motor vehicle and possess a valid Iowa Driver’s license. 

Closing Date: Applications accepted until position filled.

 

Salary: Entry level salary is $36,873.  Non-entry level salaries are dependent on experience.  Excellent fringe benefits.

Applications: To apply, submit letter of application, resume, and names, addresses and telephone numbers of at least three professional references to Arlys Kness, akness@iowalaw.org.

 

Iowa Legal Aid is an Equal Opportunity Employer.