Supervisor: Director

UNIT:

Child Protective Services Unit/Adult Protective Services Unit

FUNCTION:

The overall function of this unit is to provide crisis intervention and ongoing casework services to families in which child abuse or neglect is present or suspected and to families who are experiencing parent/child conflict. This unit also provides services to families where children have been adopted from the foster care system.

To intervene with or on behalf of at-risk adults to correct or alleviate situations in which actual or imminent danger of abuse, neglect or exploitation exists.

PURPOSE:

This is an intermediate level Social Caseworker position. The general purpose of this position is to provide crisis intervention, intake assessments, ongoing caseworker services, and family preservation services to families with children age 0-18 in which abuse or neglect is present or suspected, as well as to families who are experiencing parent/child conflict. This position also is responsible for Foster Care Licensing Recruitment and Retention. The position also investigates reports of abuse, neglect and exploitation of at-risk adults and to provide casework services on their behalf.

DUTIES:

Conduct investigations of alleged physical abuse, sexual abuse and/or neglect. Determine the need for out-of-home placement and/or treatment services. Supervise child placements and coordinate parent/child visits. Determine if or when child returns home if placement was necessary.

Provide crisis intake assessments for reported child abuse and neglect and/or youth-in conflict.

Develop long-term case plans to appropriately serve children and families in need of protection, monitor family progress and modify case plans as needed.

Provide on-going, intensive family services (i.e. CORE Services) to children and their families in crisis or who are experiencing problems with relationships.

Make collateral contact with community resources such as law enforcement, medical personnel and mental health counselors. Obtain additional information and secure their assistance if necessary.

Coordinate community resources for family service planning.

Gather and consolidate background information for documentation for court hearings and judicial process reviews or as summaries in facilitating appropriate placements.

Participate in staffings with school, mental health facilities, child protection review teams and other professionals involved with children and family members.

Attend and participate in court hearings, confer with lawyers, children, parents, witnesses and significant others in reference to their respective roles.

Perform a variety of assignments as needed, including preparing and maintaining client records and completing forms and reports.

Consult with OHS attorney on legal issues concerning out-of-home placements, protective supervision and relinquishment of parental rights in order to complete assigned cases within the law.

Serve as child/family advocate with schools and other agencies as needed when families are having difficulty accessing services on their own.

Meet with licensed foster parents and ensure that all are in compliance with Volume 7 regulations, including maintaining records, and any other significant information pertaining to the homes.

Provide adoption assistance services to children whose parental rights have been terminated.

Performs all casework functions of adult protection unit which includes intake, assessment of need for protection, intervention, follow-up and possible court sanction.

Data entry of Adult Protective cases in CBMS

MIMINUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION: Bachelor's Degree in a Human Services or related field, as required by Volume 7.000.6(2) and 7.000.6(5)

EXPERIENCE: Two years in a job-related field

REQUIREMENTS:

Valid Colorado State Driver's license and insurance

Reliable transportation

Employment is contingent upon the applicant passing a pre-employment medical physical and mandatory drug test, as well as background check.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The work is performed in a standard office environment requiring normal physical effort. Requires sitting for extended periods of time, and occasional walking. Requires dexterous use of both hands. Requires corrected vision and hearing. Specific vision abilities by this position include close vision and the ability to adjust focus. Ability to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet.

Bent County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Bent County

Latest Jobs

DHS Social Caseworker