Make a difference for kids and families every day.

Sunlight Careers is recruiting for our partner CASA of Santa Barbara County to find a dedicated, steady and compassionate Lead Care Manager for its Santa Maria office.

If you're passionate about helping children and youth in foster care get the healthcare and support they need, and you thrive in a role where you show up in person, build trust, and follow through, this may be the right opportunity for you.

About CASA of Santa Barbara County

CASA's mission is to ensure a safe, nurturing, and permanent home for every child who has experienced abuse or neglect by providing highly trained Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteers. Each volunteer advocate is assigned to one child or sibling group and supported every step of the way by CASA staff.

About the role

CASA of Santa Barbara County is partnering with Sunlight Health to bring Enhanced Care Management (ECM), a Medi-Cal benefit under CalAIM, to the youth it serves. CASA volunteers are often the most trusted, stable relationship in a child's life. As Lead Care Manager, you'll build on that trust to make sure each youth's health, behavioral health, and everyday needs are met and coordinated, so families can stabilize and reunify safely, sooner.

You'll report to Kim Colby Davis, Executive Director of CASA of Santa Barbara County, and work side by side with Advocate Supervisors, Direct Service Staff (Child Advocacy Specialists)  and CASA volunteers. Sunlight provides ECM training, access to a care management platform, and clinical and compliance support.

What you'll do

• Reach and engage eligible youth and their caregivers, working closely with Child Advocacy Specialists, CASA volunteers and Advocate Supervisors on each case, depending on their assigned status, or you may work with children and youth who are on our waiting list.
• Meet youth where they are, including homes, placements, schools, juvenile hall, and the courthouse
• Complete whole-person assessments and build care plans with youth, written in their own words
• Coordinate care across doctors, behavioral health providers, social workers, probation, attorneys, schools, and caregivers
• Support youth through big transitions, such as hospital discharge, placement changes, or release from custody
• Help youth keep their Medi-Cal and health plan coverage active, and arrange transportation and appointments
• Join Child and Family Team, IEP and 504 meetings, and attend court hearings as needed
• Keep clear, timely records, documenting visits within 72 hours and meeting monthly contact and health plan requirements
• Carry a caseload of up to 50 youth

What we're looking for

• A bachelor's degree in social work, public health, psychology, human services, or a related field, or two or more years of relevant experience (a high school diploma or GED plus three or more years of community-based and lived experience also considered)
• 1+ years of experience working as a Lead Care Manager or working with youth or families involved in child welfare, foster care, probation, or juvenile justice
• Bilingual English/Spanish (highly valued)
• Strong communication, organizational, and relationship-building skills, and comfort with detailed documentation and emotionally sensitive casework
• The ability to stay calm, diplomatic, and confident with judges, attorneys, social workers, caregivers, and youth
• Located in Santa Barbara County, with reliable transportation, a valid California driver's license, and auto insurance
• CPR certification (or willingness to get it) and the ability to pass a background check

Lived experience matters here. If you've navigated the child welfare, foster care, or justice system yourself, as a youth in care, a parent, a kinship caregiver, or a family member, we want to hear from you, even if you don't meet every qualification. We've found that the right person, with a passion for this work, can learn the role and thrive.

Nice to have

• Experience with CASA, as a Community Health Worker or Peer Support Specialist, or in ECM/CalAIM programs
• Training in motivational interviewing, harm reduction, or trauma-informed care
• Familiarity with dependency court, AB 12 extended foster care, or the Independent Living Program

Work environment and schedule

• Flexible 40-hour workweek, primarily Monday through Friday, with occasional evenings or weekends, with scheduling accommodations for the families on your caseload
• Based at CASA's Santa Maria office, with regular field work across Santa Barbara County
• Training is provided for this position
• Must be able to lift 25 lbs, sit or stand for extended periods, and drive to field visits
• 30 hours of CASA training is required and will be completed within 60 days of employment

Benefits

• 403(b) with 3% employer match
• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Life insurance and a flexible spending account
• Paid time off
• Professional development support and on-the-job training
• Opportunities for advancement 
• Vehicles are available for field work