Intensive Services Social Worker

Enhanced Intensive Services Foster Care Program

Position Summary

The EISFC Agency Social Worker is a specialized child welfare professional responsible for providing intensive case management, behavioral support coordination, crisis response, and placement stabilization services to youth with high-acuity behavioral, emotional, and developmental needs.

Unlike traditional foster care social work positions, this role requires demonstrated experience working with youth who exhibit significant behavioral challenges, complex trauma responses, emotional dysregulation, aggression, self-harming behaviors, placement instability, and other behaviors requiring intensive intervention and support.

The EISFC Agency Social Worker must possess exceptional judgment, emotional resilience, adaptability, and the ability to remain calm and effective in highly challenging and unpredictable situations. The position requires a proactive approach to identifying behavioral concerns, supporting resource families, coordinating individualized interventions, and preventing placement disruptions.

The Social Worker works closely with the EISFC Social Worker Supervisor, Mental Health Program, resource families, county representatives, and interdisciplinary service providers to ensure that youth receive comprehensive, coordinated, trauma-informed services.

Specialized Essential Responsibilities

High-Acuity Behavioral Support and Intervention

• Work directly with youth presenting significant behavioral and emotional challenges, including aggression, emotional dysregulation, self-injurious behaviors, threats, and other high-risk behaviors.
• Recognize early warning signs of behavioral escalation and implement appropriate, approved nonclinical de-escalation and safety support strategies.
• Demonstrate the ability to remain composed, professional, and effective during emotionally intense, unpredictable, or crisis situations.
• Assist resource families in understanding behavioral triggers, trauma responses, and appropriate supportive interventions consistent with individualized service plans.
• Coordinate with licensed mental health professionals regarding behavioral health concerns, risk assessments, treatment recommendations, and clinical interventions.
• Participate in the implementation and monitoring of individualized behavioral support and placement stabilization plans within the social worker's authorized scope.
• Identify patterns of behavioral escalation and recommend additional supports, services, or interventions.

Intensive Case Management and Placement Stabilization

• Manage an assigned caseload of youth with complex and intensive service needs.
• Maintain frequent, meaningful contact with youth, resource families, and interdisciplinary team members.
• Proactively identify barriers to placement stability and develop coordinated strategies to address them.
• Provide increased case management support during periods of behavioral instability or heightened need.
• Participate in urgent case consultations, placement stabilization meetings, and Child and Family Team meetings.
• Coordinate appropriate resources and services to address educational, developmental, behavioral, medical, and social needs.
• Maintain consistent follow-through on interventions, referrals, safety concerns, and identified service needs.

Resource Family Coaching and Support

• Provide intensive, practical support to resource families caring for youth with challenging behaviors.
• Assist caregivers in recognizing behavioral triggers and responding appropriately to escalating situations.
• Reinforce trauma-informed parenting approaches, positive behavioral support techniques, and approved de-escalation strategies.
• Maintain consistent communication with resource families during challenging periods.
• Identify caregiver stress, burnout, and placement instability risks and coordinate additional support.
• Assist resource families with accessing respite, specialized training, behavioral health consultation, and other authorized services.
• Promote collaborative problem-solving and strengthen caregiver confidence in managing complex behaviors.

Crisis Response and Safety Coordination

• Respond to behavioral crises and urgent placement concerns in accordance with agency protocols.
• Assess immediate environmental and observable safety concerns, determine appropriate escalation, and obtain qualified clinical or emergency assistance when indicated.
• Coordinate with the EISFC Social Worker Supervisor, Mental Health Program, county personnel, and emergency responders as necessary.
• Participate in the development and implementation of nonclinical safety and placement stabilization measures.
• Complete timely and accurate incident reports, mandated reports, and required notifications.
• Participate in assigned after-hours crisis coverage and follow-up activities.

Documentation

• Maintain detailed, objective documentation of behavioral concerns, interventions, service coordination, and placement stabilization efforts.
• Complete all required case contacts, home visits, assessments, reports, and case documentation within established deadlines.
• Participate in ongoing supervision, case reviews, interdisciplinary meetings, and specialized training.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in social work, psychology, counseling or related field
• DOJ/FBI/CACI Clearance
• CA Drivers License
• CPR and First Aid Certification
• Proven experience working with children, families, or individuals with disabilities within social services or child welfare settings.
• Excellent client communication skills with the ability to build trust and rapport quickly.
• Proficiency in social work case management software and documentation standards.
• Familiarity with behavioral health practices, conflict resolution techniques, and trauma-informed care approaches.

Pay: From $70,500.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person