Woman's Advocacy Case Manager

Woman's Advocacy Case Manager

Requisition #: req15258

Location: Harrisburg, PA

Hours: Full-Time (40 Hours/Week)

At Bethany Christian Services, we believe families provide the strongest foundation for care and connection. That's why we focus on strengthening and empowering families, always advocating for family-centered solutions to keep children safe. Our work began in 1944 with the care of a single child. Today, inspired by our faith, our aim is to demonstrate the love and compassion of Jesus in our services for children, youth, and families. Working at Bethany means joining a team of nearly 2,000 dedicated professionals with diverse skills, serving communities across the country. Together, we're united in our mission and these shared values: we're motivated by our faith, we support one another, we champion justice, we pursue excellence, and we're in it for the long haul.

The Woman's Advocacy Case Manager is primarily responsible for providing support to women and their families. This individual will also be responsible for strengthening the client's capacity to engage in health practices and to maintain stable homes through a family centered approach that includes the woman's significant other and her children. The Woman's Advocacy Case Manager is expected to maintain the appropriate caseload in accordance with program and contractual expectations.

This position is expected to function effectively with moderate supervision while following the guidelines given on procedures, along with agency, federal, and state regulatory requirements.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide comprehensive case management services and life skills education to include conflict resolution, family planning, career planning, self-sufficiency, education, health maintenance, environmental health, role modeling, child development, and goal setting for clients referred by community resources;
• Develop a comprehensive service plan with a consumer and family-centered focus with strategies for recovery;
• Develop a full-cycle birthing plan to include linkage and prenatal follow-through coordination;
• Locate and develop positive working relationships with local OB/GYNs or prenatal clinics, while also ensuring that the woman is fully participating in prenatal care;
• Develop a parenting plan or "Plan of Safe Care" that prepares collaboration with Child Protective Services (CPS) at time of birth and addresses the mother, infant, and family needs;
• Develop and maintain early intervention, WIC, and other community resources;
• Cultivate information sharing between all providers related to the woman's progress and challenges;
• Coordinate the necessary interventions and services provided by multiple agencies;
• Provide home visitation services and maintain regular contact with the woman and baby;
• Facilitate parenting education using Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) during home visits;
• Complete paperwork within appropriate time frames;
• Coordinate with Perinatal Cooperatives/Risk Reduction Specialists in educating medical community partners on stigma around pregnant women with Substance Use Disorders (SUD);
• Effectively prepare a woman for birthing including the potential for child welfare involvement in the event of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS), as well as accessing a pediatrician familiar with this prenatal exposure;
• Prepare woman for living and care arrangements for infant;
• Effectively advocate on behalf of the family;
• Maintain on-going contact with service providers that includes progress reports, status updates, and any other critical information, while participating in multidisciplinary meetings as needed;
• Coordinate team meetings that bring all formal systems together on behalf of the woman from pregnancy through 1-year post delivery, as needed;
• Attend and participate in meetings to include but not limited to SUD/Child Welfare consortia, and Perinatal Addictions meetings as needed;
• Provide the appropriate care and community referrals, as needed;
• Stay abreast of all agency, federal, and state regulatory requirements related to social services;
• Complete other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's level degree in Social Science, Human Services, Behavioral Science, Psychology, Education, or related field of study from an accredited college;
• At least three (3) years' experience working with high need families involved with substance use and mental health disorders;
• Demonstrated evidence of working with populations with substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders or evidence of addiction coursework;
• Possess knowledge of systems that provide services for women and their families to include but not limited to maternal health, early childhood intervention, child welfare, or other related services;
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) approach and interventions;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Demonstrated excellent assessment and crisis intervention skills;
• Ability to work independently and exercise a high level of confidentiality;
• Must be willing and able to work outside of normal business hours to include some evenings and weekends;
• Computer skills sufficient to perform essential functions including knowledge of Microsoft Office suite;
• Must be 21 years old with a valid driver's license with at least 3 years driving experience in the U.S. to operate a vehicle on behalf of Bethany. Must also pass a Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) check and maintain a reliable vehicle with proof of adequate insurance coverage;
• Pass a criminal history screen, including state and local child protection agency registries;
• Subscription to and integration of the agency Statement of Faith, Mission Statement, and Commitment to Unity.

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