Assessment Caseworker - Children's Services Worker (Posting # 1244-12)
Job Duties (Summary):
- Responds to and completes assessments of child safety in response to Intake Reports of physical and sexual abuse, neglect and dependency within mandated timeframes and in accordance with federal, state and agency policy. Researches previous Children’s Services history, criminal history, court involvement and other applicable information for all individuals associated with Intake report. Conducts and engages families in face to face interviews with all children in the household of assessment, parent/caregiver(s), and alleged maltreater(s) to make a decision regarding child safety. Assessment shall include pertinent information collection from all parties regarding alleged maltreatment, surrounding circumstances, adult and child functioning, parenting practice and discipline to ensure an accurate safety determination. Conducts interviews in homes, schools, hospitals, and other community settings as required.
- Practices in a way which demonstrates awareness and understanding of cultural competency, socioeconomic differences, and respect for diversity in interactions and work with families; displays an awareness of the impact implicit bias has on outcomes for children and families.
- Responsible for collecting pertinent collateral information from other persons, service providers and community partners that may have addition information to support a safety determination. Obtains school and medical records as well as records from community service providers.
- When appropriate, seeks medical evaluation of alleged child victims and completes referrals to law enforcement.
- In consultation with supervisor, conducts informed response to Intake Reports, assesses and determines child safety at every contact, determines present and impending danger threats to child safety, and responsible for determining the disposition of the Intake Report within mandatory time frames. Gathers information and analyzes parent/caregiver protective capacities. Partners with family to develop and implement present danger and impending danger safety plans for children determined not to be safe. As needed, secures, implements and confirms safe environment for out of home placements needed to control active safety threats. Determines the need for ongoing services, completing effective, timely, case transfers.
- Responsible for demonstrating proficiency in mobile technology to aid in maintaining written documentation of assessment activities within required time frames including but not limited to Safety and Family Assessments, Activity Logs, and Present Danger and Impending Danger Safety Plans. Responsible for other mandated paperwork as outlined by state regulations and agency policy. Reviews prior Children’s Services history, completes background and criminal checks on parent(s) and alternative caretaker(s). Responsible for maintaining Children’s Services File.
- Consults with the Prosecutors office and seeks Court intervention as needed. Prepares Requests for Legal Action and provides court testimony to support Children’s Services position. Responsible for case presentation at Dispositional Appeal Hearings. Attend all relevant court hearings as related to case assignments.
- Attends conferences and training. Must attend and complete Caseworker CORE Training within first year of employment and thirty-six hours for every year thereafter. Must attend twelve hours of Domestic Violence Training within first two years of employment.
- Must be available to communicate during work hours and on emergency basis for after hours calls; Performs other related duties as assigned