Child Welfare Specialist II

Position Summary

In Youth and Family Services, this position provides community‑based services to individuals, groups, families, or communities regarding issues including child abuse, neglect, dependency, delinquency, and adoption. Children and family needs include mental health, poverty, unemployment, substance abuse, rehabilitation, social adjustment, housing, child care, or medical care and other life domains. This position, under general supervision, is responsible for providing evaluation, case management, counseling, formal and informal comprehensive assessments, and referral services to assist in meeting the needs of the children and families.

We are currently recruiting for two crucial areas:
Investigations, Family‑in‑Home, and Permanency Planning.

You would investigate and assess the needs of children involved in reports of alleged abuse, neglect, and/or dependency. You would also be responsible for engaging the family to formulate a plan to alleviate any identified risk factors. This position may require after‑hours (after 5pm) and weekend work as needed.

You would provide in‑home intervention to families where abuse, neglect, and/or dependency was substantiated, or the family was determined to need services to prevent children from being taken into custody, reduce risk, and alleviate well‑being concerns. This position may require after‑hours (after 5pm) and weekend work as needed.

You would provide a safe and nurturing home to children who have been placed into the custody of the Department of Social Services. A permanency planning worker assesses, evaluates, identifies risks to children and develops a plan for service allowing children to have permanency within one year. This position may require after hours (after 5pm) and weekend work as needed.

• Assess needs of individuals and/or families; provide counseling and services in individual and group settings; develop Family Service Agreement.
• Assist clients in completion of required paperwork for items that may determine program eligibility, referrals, or provide job assistance, such as job application.
• Interview clients individually, in families, or in groups to determine services required.
• Refer clients to community resources for services such as job placement, debt counseling, legal aid, housing, medical treatment, or financial assistance.
• Provide, find, or arrange support services such as child care, homemaker service, prenatal care, substance abuse treatment, job training, counseling, or parenting classes.
• Determine clients' eligibility for sponsored programs and financial assistance; ensure timely benefits and referrals.
• Consult with parents, teachers, and other school personnel to determine causes of problems such as truancy and misbehavior and implement solutions.
• Monitor residential facilities for compliance with licensure standards, provide technical assistance, investigate complaints against licensed facilities.
• Arrange for medical, psychiatric, and other tests that may disclose causes of difficulties and indicate remedial measures.
• Collect supplementary information needed to assist client, such as employment records, medical records, or school reports.
• Transport clients (adults and children) to appointments such as medical, job related or others, if appropriate.
• Manage records and documentation of services provided and maintain history records.
• Complete court reports and testify in juvenile and adult court hearings.
• Develop and review service plans in consultation with clients, and perform follow‑ups assessing the quantity and quality of services provided.
• Serve as a liaison between students, homes, schools, family services, child guidance clinics, courts, protective services, medical and behavioral health providers, and other contacts to help children and adults who face problems such as disabilities, abuse, or poverty.
• Work varying shifts to include evenings and weekends.
• Staff shelters in the event of a disaster.