Description
About the Residential Program
The Child and Family Services Residential Program offers a supportive environment for up to 46 children across three specialized programs. Focused on healing and growth, our dedicated staff provides treatment in small-group settings, helping children and families overcome obstacles and address traumatic experiences that have impacted their ability to live at home. Through comprehensive care, treatment, and supervision, we equip children and families with the skills needed for a successful transition, either back to their home or to an alternative living arrangement.
About the Role
As a Case Planner, you’ll play a vital role in helping children and families build brighter futures. You’ll manage a caseload of children within our residential program, providing guidance, advocacy, and coordination of services that support both reunification and long-term permanency goals.
This is a meaningful opportunity for someone who is passionate about child welfare, enjoys problem-solving, and thrives in a collaborative environment.
A Day in the life as the Residential Case Planner
Manage an assigned caseload of children, ensuring safety, well-being, and progress toward permanency.
Provide casework services to birth parents to help them meet court-ordered reunification requirements while developing concurrent plans when reunification isn’t possible.
Collaborate closely with local district case managers, service providers, and foster parents to advance each child’s plan.
Support children’s transitions between care settings (e.g., foster care, adoptive home, or return to family).
Coordinate educational services and planning in collaboration with school placements
Participate in Family Court proceedings related to the child’s permanency.
Maintain accurate, timely documentation, progress notes and required reports in compliance with NYS regulations and district requirements.
Foster inclusion, empathy, and respect in all interactions while modeling and promoting sensitivity, fairness, and acceptance of diversity in all interactions.
Participate in program Quality Improvement and Utilization Review processes.
Foster positive working relationships within the agency and with external partners.
Comply with all agency documentation and vehicle safety usage policies.
What You Bring
Bachelor’s degree (experience in child welfare strongly preferred)
Valid NYS driver’s license and reliable transportation with insurance
Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills
Ability to engage effectively with children, families, and professionals from diverse backgrounds
Physical ability to perform light to moderate activity (lift / move up to 25 lbs)
Team-oriented mindset with a commitment to collaboration and respect
Minimum Requirements
Bachelor’s Degree required
Paid experience in child welfare field preferred
Valid New York State driver’s license and ongoing automobile insurance required
Reliable transportation during working hours
Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to engage effectively with children and adults from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds
Physical ability to stand, walk, climb, stoop, kneel, and occasionally lift / move items over 25 pounds
Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team
Competitive Pay Rate of $23-$26 per hour based on experience
CFS offers full-time employees the below benefits to support our employees and their families and help to create a healthy work environment.
Paid Time Off (PTO) –20 PTO Days (25 Days After Five Years of Employment)–14 Paid Holidays (includes 2 flex holidays)– Bereavement : Four Paid Days– Paid Jury Duty
Employer Paid Life Insurance
Medical, Two Plan Options
Dental, Two Plan Options
Vision Insurance
Wellness Program and Incentives
Health Savings Account (HSA) and Quarterly Employer-Contributions
Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
Dependent Care FSA Retirement
Employee Referral Bonus
Qualifying Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
403(b) Right Away and Employer-Contributions After Two Years
Child & Family Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer : Child & Family Services provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran or familial status, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Child & Family Services complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights () notice from the Department of Labor.
Planner • Buffalo, NY, United States