CPS Adoption Preparation Worker

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • San Antonio, TX

10d

About The Position

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) works to build on strengths of families and communities to keep children and vulnerable adults safe, so they thrive. We do this through investigations, services, and referrals. The position works under the supervision of a CVS supervisor and provides permanent planning and placement services to abused or neglected children. The position recruits, trains, studies, licenses, and develops foster and adoptive homes for the Child Protective Services program. The position supports families and children in dealing with separation and attachment issues in preparation for permanent placements, actively seeks placement options for specific children, and recommends placements. The position participates in abuse and neglect investigations related to foster/adoptive families as assigned. The position may assist the Texas Adoption Resource Exchange Coordinator by gathering and reviewing information pertaining to children available for adoption, preparing information listed on the Department of Family and Protective Services internet website for Texas Adoption Resource Exchange, fielding calls, screening families inquiring about adoption and forwarding information to caseworkers assigned to recruit for the child. The position interacts routinely with Texas Department of Family and Protective Services staff, children, foster/adoptive parents, child placement agencies, lawyers, court personnel, therapist and other state agencies. Newly hired employees holding a master’s degree in Social Worker may qualify for an increase at the point of hire.

Requirements

• Knowledge of good child placement practices
• Skills in preparing children for adoptive placements
• Skills in developing and maintaining professional working relationships
• Ability to support families in dealing with separation and attachment issues
• Ability to assess child’s needs and progress in the placement process
• Ability to maintain timely documentation and effectively manage caseload
• Ability to convey information in a clear and concise manner
• Ability to assess current life situations of children to determine the presence of child abuse and/or neglect.
• This position requires use of the applicant's personal motor vehicle to complete job functions.
• Applicants for positions must have a reliable motor vehicle, and acceptable driving record for the past five years, and a current, valid Texas driver's license appropriate for the vehicle and passenger or cargo load. Applicants must provide proof of driving record, insurance, and license.
• Child Protective Services Adoption Prep Worker I: An accredited Bachelor's degree OR accredited Associate's degree plus two (2) years of relevant work experience OR 60 accredited college credit hours plus two (2) years relevant work experience OR 90 accredited college credit hours plus one (1) year of relevant work experience. Examples of relevant work experience in social, human, or protective services include paid or volunteer work within social service agencies or communities providing services to families or other at-risk populations.
• Child Protective Services Adoption Prep Worker II: An accredited Bachelor's degree OR accredited Associate's degree plus two (2) years of relevant work experience OR 60 accredited college credit hours plus two (2) years relevant work experience OR 90 accredited college credit hours plus one (1) year of relevant work experience. Examples of relevant work experience in social, human, or protective services include paid or volunteer work within social service agencies or communities providing services to families or other at-risk populations. Employed as a Child Protective Services Specialist I for 9 months AND have received Child Protective Services Specialist Certification OR currently employed as a Child Protective Services Specialist II or Child Protective Investigations Specialist II in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services OR previously employed as a Child Protective Services Specialist II or Child Protective Investigations Specialist II in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
• Child Protective Services Adoption Prep Worker III: An accredited Bachelor's degree OR accredited Associate's degree plus two (2) years of relevant work experience OR 60 accredited college credit hours plus two (2) years relevant work experience OR 90 accredited college credit hours plus one (1) year of relevant work experience. Examples of relevant work experience in social, human, or protective services include paid or volunteer work within social service agencies or communities providing services to families or other at-risk populations. Employed as a Child Protective Services Specialist II for 9 months AND have received Advanced Child Protective Services Specialist Certification OR currently employed as a Child Protective Services Specialist III or Child Protective Investigations Specialist III in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services OR previously employed as a Child Protective Services Specialist III or Child Protective Investigations Specialist III in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
• Child Protective Services Adoption Prep Worker IV: An accredited Bachelor's degree OR accredited Associate's degree plus two (2) years of relevant work experience OR 60 accredited college credit hours plus two (2) years relevant work experience OR 90 accredited college credit hours plus one (1) year of relevant work experience. Examples of relevant work experience in social, human, or protective services include paid or volunteer work within social service agencies or communities providing services to families or other at-risk populations. Employed as a Child Protective Services Specialist III for 24 months AND have received Senior Advanced Child Protective Services Specialist Certification OR currently employed as a Child Protective Services Specialist IV or Child Protective Investigations Specialist IV in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services OR previously employed as a Child Protective Services Specialist IV or Child Protective Investigations Specialist IV in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

Nice To Haves

• Degree in Social Work, Criminal Justice, Psychology, Human Development and Family Studies, Education, or Public Health.
• Previous professional or volunteer experience in a government agency, nonprofit, child protection, foster care, juvenile justice, mental health, or substance abuse services.
• Familiarity with trauma-informed care or experience conducting interviews or assessments with children and families.

Responsibilities

• Recruits, identifies and matches children with prospective adoptive families; and provides services to children in adoptive placement
• Recruits, trains, completes studies, licenses and develops foster and adoptive families.
• Maintains sufficient case documentation, including forms and narratives, to provide a complete and accurate written record
• Builds and maintains communication and working relationships within the program and region and community groups in order to ensure that the objectives of the agency are accomplished.
• Conducts assessments of current life situations of child or children and families to determine the presence of child abuse and neglect.
• Provides services after normal working hours and on weekends to maintain 24-hour coverage.
• Performs other duties as assigned and required to maintain unit operations.
• Promotes and demonstrates appropriate respect for cultural diversity among coworkers and all work-related contacts.
• Attends work regularly in accordance with agency leave policy.

Benefits

• 100% paid health insurance for you, and 50% paid for eligible family members—saving you hundreds every month in out-of-pocket medical costs
• Retirement plans with lifetime monthly payments after five years of state service, plus options to save even more with 401(k) and 457 plans
• Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave so you can recharge and take care of life outside work (that’s time off you’re actually paid for)
• Optional dental, vision, and life insurance—at rates much lower than most private plans
• Flexible spending accounts for added tax savings on health and dependent care
• Employee discounts on things like gym memberships, electronics, and entertainment

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees