Caseworker Trainee CYA

County of Lancaster•Lancaster, PA

About The Position

This is an entry-level social service position within the Family Support department of the Lancaster County Children & Youth Agency. The Family Support unit provides casework services to families whose children are at risk of, or who have been exposed to, neglect, physical abuse and/or sexual abuse. The caseworker assists the families in following through with plans to address concerns regarding drug and alcohol abuse, mental health challenges, domestic violence, housing, and parenting skills in order to help caregivers improve their functioning and to prevent repeated abuse and neglect. The caseworker makes every effort to work with the families toward the goal of stabilizing and strengthening them so that they may remain a family unit and meet their children’s needs for safety and well-being. Most cases are successfully closed after the family has completed their Family Service Plan goals. The caseworker is responsible for providing services to 15 to 25 families. This is entry level professional social service work in our County Children and Youth Agency. Employees who successfully complete a six-month probation in this classification are promoted to the Caseworker classification.

Requirements

A bachelor's degree which includes or is supplemented by successful completion of 12 college credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, or other related social sciences: or Any equivalent combination of experience and training which includes 12 college credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice, or other related social sciences.
Demonstrate an understanding of the PA Juvenile Act, the Child Protective Services Law, and DPW Regulations.
Have an understanding of the corollaries of child abuse and neglect; ability to identify these factors in families and to interpret them for case disposition and planning.
Ability to gather and analyze information in such a way that consequent judgments maximize the safety of children and minimize unwarranted intrusion into family privacy.
Knowledge and ability to use crisis intervention modality to initiate and deliver short-term services.
Thorough knowledge of child development and family dynamics.
Ability to establish relationships that facilitate meaningful involvement, and the ability to relinquish the relationship at case transfer or closing.
Ability to complete clear, concise written and verbal communication as related to record keeping, court testimony, service planning, dealing with community professionals, etc.
Organization and time management skills to meet competing demands for client contacts, record keeping and related duties.
Flexibility and energy to meet the unpredictable and emergency nature of caseload demands.
Attitude of cooperation to enhance team functioning within the unit and to contribute to overall Agency goals.
Must pass pre-employment drug screening test.
Must have acceptable background check that includes FBI clearance, PA State Police Criminal history and ChildLine clearances.
A valid driver’s license and acceptable driving history in accordance with County policy.
Ability to work independently.
Ability to transport self to various locations for meetings, visits and other appointments.
Ability to conduct home visits and other appointments and to access those locations with reasonable accommodations.

Responsibilities

Work will be performed in such a manner that the safety of children in reported families will be assured, and timely, accurate assessments are completed, and appropriate community or Agency referrals will be made.
Implements the Family Service Plan developed by the transferring caseworker, and reviews or amends the Plan as necessitated by circumstances or regulations.
Assumes responsibility for assigned cases from the Permanency Department in order to support reunification of children exiting out-of-home placement.
Meets with the family regularly to deliver services and conduct ongoing assessments of the family's progress and child safety.
Assures the safety of children through written safety plans when needed, and, if necessary, arranges emergency child placements, including exploration of alternative resources or petitioning the court for placement into agency custody.
Testifies court hearings in support of petitions for custody or protective supervision.
Maintains all required documentation including narrative dictation, safety and risk assessments, Family Service Plans and reviews, court petitions and child permanency plans.
Supports the utilization of Family Group Conferencing to assist families in identifying family and community supports.
Counsels, teaches, and supports families to address areas that present barriers to effective, independent parenting.
Cooperates with other unit members to assure unit coverage, assist in emergencies, and share information.
Accesses, facilitates, and coordinates agency and community services for families.
Participates in unit and Agency staff meetings where information is disseminated and policy practice is reviewed, proposed, and discussed.
Routinely provides own transportation to and from client’s homes, meetings, outreach visits and other job-related appointments in a timely manner with reasonable accommodations.