Caseworker-Senior BHDS EI

County of Lancaster•Lancaster, PA

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

Employees in this class function serve as a specialized caseworker and carry a caseload of infants and toddlers with neonatal abstinence syndrome/prenatal drug exposure who require a higher level of support and intervention to meet developmental milestones. Early identification and intervention of this at-risk population will require the ongoing monitoring of an infant/toddler's development to mitigate negative impacts resulting in developmental delays as such concerns are identified. This position requires additional training in the areas of infant mental health, attachment and bonding, and trauma-informed interventions. The employee in this position will provide a full range of support coordination services to families and their children and will assist them in navigating appropriate services that promote positive outcomes. This person must possess exceptional casework skills which include setting and managing a daily schedule, obtaining essential information, arranging and facilitating meeting, supporting children and families in natural settings, assisting families with appropriate resources, working with providers of service, utilizing computer skills for entering information into the statewide database as well as use of other programs necessary to complete job functions. Work also involves the application of problem-solving skills, writing measurable outcomes, Monitoring service delivery and progress and interacting with agencies that make up this specialized service network (Birthing Hospitals, CYA/Plans of Safe Care Partners, PROUD, Renew, the RASE Project and D&A). Work is performed in accordance with established regulations, announcements, policies and procedures. The employee will be required to exercise considerable independent judgement and decision making. The employee will be expected to actively participate and represent Early Intervention on committees and work groups specifically related to the area of specialty.

Requirements

Two years of experience as a caseworker or A bachelor's degree in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, or other related social sciences and three years of professional social casework experience in a public or private social services agency; or Any equivalent combination of experience and training which includes 12 college credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, human services, or other related social sciences.
Knowledge of current social, economic, health concerns and resources and the recognition of their impact on the growth and development of people.
Knowledge of individual and group development and behavior and ways of working effectively with adults and children who have social, economic, emotional, or health concerns.
Knowledge of the basic principles and methods of program interpretation and community organization.
Knowledge of social welfare policy and law as they relate to agency function and purpose and societal structures.
Knowledge and ability to use computer (laptop) at meetings and facilitate meetings simultaneously for entering information into the statewide data base as well as use of other programs necessary to complete the job functions.
Ability to work effectively with a variety of people and diverse populations
Ability to understand and accept the needs and rights of others and to work with families with children who have developmental delays or intellectual disabilities.
Ability to conduct family assessment and to use the information to help identify individual and family needs.
Ability to establish and effective working relationships with clients, their families, other staff, outside agencies and institutions, and the general public.
Ability to plan and organize work, prepare adequate records and reports, set priorities, and maintain a caseload in an effective and timely manner.
Ability to plan and organize.
Ability to interpret and apply relevant laws, regulations, and policies governing agency services.
Ability to adequately express ideas orally and in writing with families and professionals.
Ability to work under pressure while managing multiple and changing priorities.
Ability to work as a team member
Ability to possess leadership and training skills
Understands and follows all confidentiality and HIPAA policies.
Must pass pre-employment drug screen test
Must have acceptable background check that includes: - FBI Clearances - PA State Police Criminal History - ChildLine Clearances
All clearances are required prior to the start of employment and may not be more than one year old at the time of employment.
A Valid Driver’s license and acceptable driving history in accordance with County policy.

Nice To Haves

Additional training in the areas of infant mental health, attachment and bonding, and trauma-informed interventions.
Additional training specific to addiction and recovery.

Responsibilities

Carrying a specialized caseload consisting of infants and toddlers born with opioid dependence/prenatal drug exposure from program entry through program exit.
Providing outreach to birth mother while in the NICU/Couplet Care, or immediately upon discharge, to discuss Early Intervention services.
Conducting a family assessment to inform team members of family/infant needs prior to evaluation.
Tracking an infant's evaluation to ensure prompt coordination of care and access to service (Tracking Program or Direct Intervention).
Scheduling and actively participating in initial/annual evaluations which requires travel to home or community locations.
Facilitating and participating in the development, implementation, and review of evaluation, Individualized Family Service Plans, including Social Work services and Transition Planning.
Locating supports and facilitating communication with and between team members.
Following Plans of Safe Care (POSC) and working collaboratively with identified partners to ensure the coordination and monitoring of services across the spectrum of prevention, intervention and treatment providers.
Participating in meetings of the POSC, PROUD, Renew Pregnancy Support Collaborative, NOWS Coalition.
Coordinating timely and accurate entry of data into current databases including CARES, PELICAN, and EI Tracking.
Facilitating, coordinating, and monitoring timely delivery of early intervention services as per regulations and procedures.
Coordinating referrals for IFSP services to ensure timely delivery of services to families in Early Intervention.
Informing families of their Rights and Procedural Safeguards.
Educating families and team members on Natural Environments and Early Intervention Philosophy.
Informing families of appropriate community resources.
Offering the family opportunities and support for the infant or toddler with a disability to participate in community activities with other children.
Assisting families with the coordination of health care as it relates to the Individualized Family Service Plan.
Developing, updating, and maintaining accurate paperwork in a timely manner.
Completing progress monitoring every 90 days.
Completing and documenting family contact every 90 days as well as reviewing the support coordination plan.
Identifying at-risk infants or toddlers for the EI Tracking Program and overseeing the monitoring of their developmental progress through the administration of bi-monthly Ages & Stages Questionnaire to measure progress.
Meet with family or caregiver on a bi-monthly basis to discuss results.
Documenting all activities of support coordination within 5 business days of the activity in the Pelican Data Base; documentation should be factual, clear and concise.
Understanding and being able to explain various funding streams as they relate to Early Intervention and Provider Choice.
Participating in the 24 hours of required trainings annually as imposed by OCDEL, including specialized trainings on infant mental health, trauma-informed interventions, and attachment and bonding.
Obtaining additional training specific to addiction and recovery.
Possessing effective communication and active listening skills
Informing the family of availability of advocacy services.
Must have the ability to use the computer which is an essential function of all activities of support coordination.
Perform other duties and/or tasks as assigned.