Family Services Specialist III

General Work Tasks

• Monitors, coordinates and administers specific assigned programs.
• Coordinates services within specific areas of responsibility.
• Writes service plans and presents cases to determine appropriate services.
• Tracks expenditures, prepares/submits budget estimates and ensures payment for services.
• Interprets laws, policies and regulations as applied to specific areas of responsibility.
• Completes necessary federal, state and local planning and reporting requirements.
• Manages program waiting lists.
• Provides case management services to monitor compliance.
• Provides foster care casework services.
• Trains foster parents; submits progress reports to the court.
• Refers families to treatment resources within the community.
• Transports children to placements, meetings, therapy sessions, doctor and dental appointments, and for visitation with families.
• Attends court, testifies in court and coordinates cases with attorneys.
• Provides parent education and support for families in target population.
• Conducts intensive in-home counseling; prepares reports to referral sources regarding status of various interventions.
• Interviews and assesses clients and assigns to appropriate groups.
• Informs clients of service programs and the rules and regulations, and right to participate.
• Conducts overall monitoring of programs in specific areas of responsibility.
• Serves as resource to clients and the community in area of expertise.
• Provides after hours on-call coverage and responds to emergencies in child/adult protective services and/or foster care.
• Performs investigative duties to include screens referrals for validity;
  Interviews all parties involved; assesses immediate and long-term dangers/risks to children.
• Develop written services plan documenting goals, objectives and details of the services provided for each case.
• Provides program administration and caseload management services.
• Conducts visits and maintains contact with other professionals.
• Accompany victims and their families to court appearances.
• Serves as support for the family, files petitions.
• Testifies in criminal and civil cases; prepares court ordered home assessments and custody home studies.
• Establishes and maintains case records.
• Codes, enters and updates new and on-going cases in the state computer information system.
• Represents the agency at various functions such as making speeches at civic and business associations, providing training and workshops on child/adult abuse and neglect for public and private organizations.

Knowledge
- Considerable knowledge of: social work principles and practices; human behavior and motivational theory; laws, policies, and regulations relating to human services program areas; investigating and interviewing techniques; legal procedures as related to program area; and social, economic, and health problems.

Skills- Skill in operating a personal computer and the associated software and the operation of a motor vehicle.

Abilities
- Demonstrated ability to: communicate effectively both orally and in writing; interview, assess needs, counsel and refer clients to other resources as needed; investigate high risk cases; testify in court proceedings; develop and present training programs and other presentations; interpret program laws, policies and regulations; develop and implement service plans in order to insure the delivery of appropriate services to the client;

analyze case information to make sound judgments within the framework of existing laws, policies, and regulations; respond to the client's emotions in order to accomplish services objectives; develop speeches and represent the agency on program training and workshops; work in stressful situations and maintain diplomacy; plan and manage own work activities including service delivery preparing reports, and correspondence, record keeping responsibilities and related activities;

establish and maintain effective relationships with others; and stay abreast of current trends and developments in the social work field.

At least 2 years case management experience in child welfare (CPS, In-Home & Prevention or Permanency).

M…