Child Welfare Aide

Lancaster County•Lancaster, PA

About The Position

This is a paraprofessional aide position with the Lancaster County Children & Youth Agency’s Quality Assurance Unit. This employee will provide casework support for various child welfare activities throughout the Agency, including interviewing, transport and monitoring parent child visitation at the Agency and in the community. This position requires a flexible schedule and will include nontraditional hours and/or overtime.

Requirements

Graduation from high school or its equivalency and two years of experience in public contact work in a human services agency, which includes one year of experience in interviewing and obtaining information; or An Associate’s degree in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, and criminal justice or other related social sciences. Or an equivalent combination of experience and training.
Knowledge of interviewing methods and techniques.
Knowledge of community resources.
Knowledge of child development.
Knowledge of social, economic and health problems and corresponding resources.
Knowledge of federal, state and county rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
Knowledge of computer software, such as: Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.
Ability to evaluate and analyze information obtained through interviews and general observation, reports, records, and other sources and to provide information to clients, families and social service and/or administrative staff.
Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with clients, families, agency staff and other community agencies.
Ability to provide structured and unstructured life skills instructions and guidance to consumers as needed.
Ability to operate a personal computer, cell phone and digital camera.
Ability to practice organizational and stress management skills and to practice use of good judgement.
Pennsylvania ChildLine Child abuse History Clearance
Acceptable PA State Police Criminal Record Clearance
Acceptable FBI Fingerprint Clearances completed through the required PA DHS vendor
Clearances may be no more than one year old at the time of employment will be accepted.
Acceptable drug screening

Responsibilities

Assists with or conducts interviews to obtain or verify information necessary to determine eligibility or continued need for a wide variety of Children and Youth services.
Plans, schedules, conducts or accompanies Caseworkers on home visits.
Shares observations and assessments with Caseworkers and Supervisors.
Provides training to parents and family members in home management activities in the following areas: budgeting, nutrition, personal hygiene, problem solving, accessing community resources, discipline techniques, care and maintenance of the home, care of the children, general parenting skills, etc.
Supervises Court-ordered and non-Court-ordered visitations.
Observes client and family strengths and problem areas and regularly communicates updated information to Caseworkers and Casework Supervisors.
Assists and encourages clients to use available community resources by providing information and referrals.
Schedules, coordinates and provides transportation for families and children involved with the Children and Youth Agency.
Provide testimony in court cases as determined by the Supervisor and Agency Solicitor.
Provide transportation to clients utilizing personal or agency vehicles.
Must have daily access to reliable transportation.