Aftercare Case Manager
Duty-based Role
An Aftercare Case Manager provides continued support services to children and families for a minimum of six months after a child's discharge from substitute care, ensuring successful transitions and maintaining placement stability.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in social work or related human services field
- Minimum of one year of documented case management experience
- Valid driver's license and reliable transportation
- Must pass background check and drug screening
Primary Duties
Case Management Services
- Manage caseload of 1:25 children ratio; aftercare cases count as 0.5 points each in the agency T3C Caseload Point System & Staffing Ratios
- Develop and implement individualized aftercare service plans
- Monitor and evaluate progress toward transition goals
- Coordinate continuing services and community resources
- Conduct regular contact (via in-person or virtual methods) to assess family stability
Transition Support
- Facilitate smooth transitions from foster care to permanent placement
- Assess ongoing needs of children and families
- Connect families with community-based services and resources
- Provide crisis intervention when needed
- Support maintenance of therapeutic gains
Documentation and Reporting
- Maintain detailed case records and documentation
- Track outcomes and prepare required reports
- Document all client contacts and service coordination
- Complete monthly progress reports
- Monitor service plan implementation
Collaboration and Coordination
- Work with community partners and service providers
- Coordinate with schools, medical providers, and therapists
- Maintain communication with DFPS caseworkers
- Participate in case staffings and team meetings
- Advocate for needed services and resources
Service Package-Specific Aftercare Considerations
When providing aftercare services to children who received specialized Service Packages, responsibilities are adapted per the applicable umbrella policy. Key variations include:
Substance Use Support Services Aftercare:
- Monitor recovery stability indicators during aftercare period
- Verify receiving placement maintains substance-free environment
- Coordinate continued substance use treatment services
- Provide education on non-punitive relapse response to receiving caregivers
- Support MAT continuation if applicable
- Cross-Reference: FC-SU-01 Section 12; FC-AF-01 Section 3.3
Short-Term Assessment Transition (Not Aftercare):
- Note: STASS children transition to receiving Service Package, not aftercare
- Support transition coordination as needed
- Cross-Reference: FC-STASS-01 Section 11
Treatment Foster Family Care Aftercare:
- Extended monitoring given high-acuity history
- Coordinate continued therapeutic services
- Monitor for symptom recurrence or regression
- Support step-down stability maintenance
- Weekly contact minimum during first month post-discharge
- Cross-Reference: FC-TFFC-01 Section 12; FC-AF-01 Section 3.3
Mental & Behavioral Health Aftercare:
- Monitor mental health stability indicators
- Coordinate continued therapy and medication management
- Cross-Reference: FC-AF-01 Section 3.3
IDD/Autism Aftercare:
- Support developmental service continuity
- Coordinate with RN for medical needs
- Cross-Reference: FC-AF-01 Section 3.3
[T3C] Service Package Responsibilities: When serving children in specialized T3C Service Packages (Substance Use, Short-Term Assessment, Treatment Foster Family Care, Mental & Behavioral Health, IDD/Autism), responsibilities are adapted per the applicable umbrella policy and procedure. Staff must complete package-specific training per FC-16 Staff and Caregiver Training Policy before assuming specialized responsibilities. Consult FC-SU-01, FC-STASS-01, FC-TFFC-01, FC-MH-01, or FC-IDD-01 for detailed Service Package requirements.
Professional Requirements
- Maintain client confidentiality
- Complete documentation within required timeframes
- Participate in required training and professional development
- Complete package-specific training per FC-16 before providing aftercare to specialized populations
- Consult applicable umbrella policy for detailed aftercare requirements
- Available for after-hours crisis support as needed
- Comply with agency policies and minimum standards
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