Case Manager III - Child Watch - Temp

WHY WORK FOR DFPS?

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) is responsible for protecting the unprotected — children, elderly, and people with disabilities — from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. DFPS accomplishes this responsibility by employing over 12,000 workers who live up to the agency's Mission, Vision, & Values in service to the citizens of Texas. DFPS is not only a qualifying organization for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program but also offers excellent health benefits, special discounts on many products and services through the Discount Purchase Program, longevity pay, generous paid leave, access to the Wellness program, lifetime retirement annuity, Texa$aver 401(k) and 457 Programs under the Employees Retirement System of Texas.

***This is a temporary position through March 2026, and can be extended based on business need***

Brief Job Description:

Performs highly complex (senior-level) case management work. Work involves reviewing and tracking case management activities; and assisting in developing goals, objectives, and procedures. May supervise the work of others. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Work focuses on the development and oversight of DFPS temporary emergency service locations. Actively evaluates, problem-solves, and coordinates with designated caseworkers and other professionals to help ensure that children and youth in temporary DFPS supervision receive needed services and supports. Actively collaborates with casework, placement services, and other staff to help meet the needs of youth and address identified barriers to placement. Work involves rapport-building, developing healthy routines, deploying effective motivational approaches for youth with complex needs, and active efforts to transition youth to appropriate placement. Personal conduct promotes safety, coordination, and healthy collaboration. Provides direct care and supervision of children and youth who are temporarily without placements at designated DFPS temporary emergency service locations to help achieve specific youth goals and outcomes. Promotes a positive culture as well as a healthy environment for both staff and youth.

Coordinates with internal and external service providers to identify and support youths’ strengths and preferences, address barriers to placement, support smooth transitions, and avoid future placement disruption.  May supervise the work of others. Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Conducts and/or coordinates the development and implementation of clients’ service and treatment plans.

• Coordinates with others the development and implementation of specific resources, services, daily care and overall supervision needed by children in temporary emergency locations. 
• Implements procedures that keep the environment free of safety hazards including identification and reporting of potential safety hazards.
• Conducts and coordinates with a wide variety of entities the development and implementation of action plans to maintain a well-functioning collaborative environment.
• Administers and secures medications when needed and provides first aid when needed.
• Monitors, redirects, de-escalates, and intervenes as necessary on an individual or group basis in support of youth service and/or treatment plans.
• Seeks care and consultation as appropriate in the event of an urgent or emergent medical or behavioral health situation.
• Consistently documents medication administration, youth behavior, progress and unusual incidents according to policy.
• Provides supervision, daily care, and transportation for children and youth that support individual needs, general site activities, and service and/or treatment plans.  
• Consolidates and reviews case related documentation and information in IMPACT of children and youth without placement to help identify and link youth with resources and services needed.
   

Conducts and/or coordinates transition planning to ensure continuity of care and management of risk factors.

• Participates with assigned case management, as needed, to review incoming referrals, helps make case and room assignments, and updates other staff regarding the needs and preferences of youth entering or leaving the temporary emergency services location. 
• Participates in the development of service plans and safety plans as needed for newly served youth. Updates these plans as needed.
• Collaborates with caseworkers, external service providers, and management to address barriers to placement and address the needs of children and youth during transitions out of the temporary emergency services location.
• Communicates needs and helps ensure the overall physical, behavioral/emotional, health, and educational/learning needs of the youth served are addressed to support successful transitions to placement.
• Coordinates, helps revise, and consistently implements annual, weekly, and daily schedules of services and activities to promote progress and support successful transitions to placement.
• Provides highly engaging and trauma-informed supervision of children and youth to address barriers to placement and achievement of positive outcomes for youth.
   

Reviews clients referred to case management and tracks progress through the case management intake and screening process.

• Reviews client intake and screening documentation to track client progress.
• Reviews the plan of services, resources and quality standards for children and youth without placement services to promote high quality services including alignment with person-centered goals and trauma-informed care.
• Maintains a focus on safety and well-being while in temporary emergency service locations and during transition to an appropriate placement.
• Reviews Child Protective Investigations and Statewide Intake reports of abuse, neglect and exploitation of children or youth without placement that under DFPS care to address any issues of concern.
   

Participates in the quality assurance and utilization review processes for case management to ensure quality services.

• Collaborates with assigned caseworkers and other professionals to monitor the quality, effectiveness, and utilization of resources in service and treatment plans.
• Reviews the plan of services, resources and quality standards for children and youth without placement services to promote high quality services including alignment with person-centered goals and trauma-informed care.
• Assists staff to ensure that individual barriers to placement are identified and addressed.
• Works to maintain a focus on safety and well-being while in temporary emergency service locations and during transition to an appropriate placement.
   

Prepares reports on service provider and program activities.

• Enters contact, case information and narratives into the Information Management Protecting Adults and Children System (IMPACT) within required agency timeframes.
• Consolidates data to develop management reports identifying trends related to the supervision of children or youth without placements that are within DFPS care to chain of command.
• Completes incident reports and provides information to the primary caseworker and supervisor, and other appropriate staff/entities according to established DFPS policies and procedures.  
   

Identifies problem areas, service gaps, and areas that are barriers to services for clients.

• Reviews case management system to identify inefficiencies or lapse in services.
• Collects data from case management system to report needed improvements in areas of service.
   

Develops and conducts presentations and orientations.

• Collects data to develop presentations for a wide variety of entities in order to maintain a well-functioning collaborative environment.
• Conducts orientation to agency staff and a variety of entities to maintain a well-functioning collaborative environment.
   

Documents case records and prepares, and reviews reports and evaluations.

• Develops reports using case information and narratives from the Information Management Protecting Adults and Children System (IMPACT).
• Consolidates data to develop management reports and evaluations related to the supervision of children or youth without placements that are within DFPS care to chain of command.
   

Assists in the development of policies and procedures.

• Collaborates with staff to develop business policies, procedures, and best practices.
• Provides input regarding business policies, procedures, and best practices for management to implement.
   

Assists with program monitoring and evaluation.

• Collaborates with unit staff case management system to identify inefficiencies or lapse in services.
• Assists unit staff by reviewing data from case management system to report needed improvements in areas of service.
   

Assists with intra-agency or interagency service coordination and referral problems.

• Contacts other agencies, organizations, and entities to develop procedures to ensure effective and efficient service coordination and referrals. 
   

May supervise the work of others.

• Acts as a team lead by assisting in the assignment and review of work.
• Provides guidance on work to other staff.

Performs related work as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of community resources; case management principles, objectives, standards, and methods; and program policies and procedures.

Skill in developing, implementing, and monitoring service and treatment plans.

Ability to assess clients’ needs, to coordinate clients’ services, to monitor program effectiveness, to communicate effectively, and to supervise the work of others.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

Two years working with youth served by the child welfare system.

Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions. You may also contact the DFPS Military Liaison at dfpsmilvets@dfps.texas.gov with additional questions.

Applicants selected for hire must pass a background check and if applicable a driver’s record check.

As a state agency, DFPS is required by Texas Administrative Code (TAC 206 and 213) to ensure all Electronic Information Resources (EIR) follow accessibility standards. The staff must be familiar with the WCAG 2.1 AA and Section 508 to create accessible content including but not limited to; Microsoft Office documents, Adobe PDFs, webpages, software, training guides, video, and audio files. 

DFPS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Employees must provide documentation to DFPS to show their identity and authorization to work in the US. Please review the following link for authorized documents: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents .

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS/DFPS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS/DFPS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.