Family Services Specialist - Child Protective Services (CPS)

Virginia Department of Social Services•Suffolk, VA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, this role facilitates, coordinates, and provides leadership in the counseling and case management aspects of multiple social work service programs administered by the City Social Services Department. The primary designation is in the Ongoing Child Protective Services and Foster Care Prevention Unit. The specialist is responsible for developing and implementing individualized service plans using casework methods and managing basic caseloads for Ongoing Child Protective Services and Foster Care Prevention Services. Employees work independently, seeking supervisory advice for unusual situations or when policy requires it. Key tasks include interpreting laws and policies, monitoring and administering programs, coordinating services, interviewing and assessing client needs, explaining program rules, presenting cases for service planning, providing case management, tracking expenditures, preparing reports, conducting program monitoring, serving as a community resource, providing after-hours on-call coverage and emergency response, testifying in court, and filing court reports. Additional duties involve ICPC approval and monitoring, court liaison, completing court-ordered home studies, family assessments, and post-adoption services. The role may involve coordinating specific departmental services and overseeing daily activities and outcomes. Tasks include screening clients, explaining programs, determining actions to meet needs, counseling, and assisting with access to human services. The specialist will also provide linkage to community resources, collaborate with partners, conduct community outreach, investigate allegations of abuse and neglect, maintain records, and prepare reports.

Requirements

Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a Human Services field or minimum of bachelor’s degree in any field with a minimum of two years of appropriate and related experience in a Human Services area as mandated in Section 22VAC40-670-20 of the Administrative Code of Virginia and implemented by the Virginia Board of Social Services.
Requires a valid driver’s license.
Ability to screen clients, explain multiple social work service programs, determine and pursue necessary action to meet client needs, counsel clients, and provide or assist in obtaining access to necessary human services assistance, assess and make recommendations for improved work quality.

Nice To Haves

Working knowledge of case management and crisis intervention practices and experience managing caseloads involving vulnerable populations.
Working knowledge of Social Services Child Protective Services, Ongoing Child Protective Services, Foster Care Prevention, and Family Stabilization policies and procedures.
Experience with presenting cases to the court or multidisciplinary teams.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with the ability to complete home studies.
Experience performing on-call duties.

Responsibilities

Interprets laws, policies and regulations.
Monitors, coordinates and administers specific programs as assigned.
Coordinates services within specific area of responsibility.
Interviews and assesses customer needs and other relevant factors such as education/skill levels, abilities, interests and support systems.
Informs clients of related service programs rules/regulations and right to participate.
Presents cases to determine appropriate services and writes/implements service plans.
Provides case management services to monitor compliance.
Tracks expenditures, prepares/submits budget estimates and ensures payment for services.
Completes necessary federal, state and local planning and reporting requirements.
Conducts overall monitoring of programs in specific area of responsibility.
Serves as resource to clients and the community in area of expertise.
Provides after hours on-call coverage and responds to emergencies in child/adult protective services and/or foster care.
Testify in court settings, and file court reports and protective orders.
Performs ICPC approval and monitoring.
Acts as court liaison.
Completes court ordered home studies, family assessments, and post-adoption services.
May coordinate specific services provided by the department with overall responsibility for the daily activities and outcomes.
Screens clients and explains multiple social work service programs.
Determines and pursues necessary action to meet client needs.
Counsel clients.
Provides or assists in obtaining access to necessary human services assistance.
Provides linkage to community resources and collaborates with community partners to meet customer needs.
Conducts community outreach assignments.
Investigates allegations of abuse and neglect.
Maintains various records and case files.
Prepares required reports.