Prevention - Social Worker - Tiered Sign-On Bonus up to $5,000

County of Wake, NC•Zebulon, NC

1d•$27 - $46•Onsite

About The Position

The Child Welfare division has three federally mandated goals: safety (children protected from harm), permanence (children reunited with family or placed in a permanent home quickly), and well-being (children's educational, health, and overall well-being). These goals are achieved by supporting and strengthening families. The Wake County Child Welfare Family Support Program serves over 700 families and individuals to preserve families. The Prevention - Social Worker provides voluntary services for families' transition to independence using a strengths-based approach, community resources, and information/referral. This role includes case management, family strengthening services, and advocating for clients in areas like education, child-care, housing, employment, and public systems. The Prevention - Social Worker also provides mandated Child Welfare Permanency Planning Services for families based on Intercounty Agreements.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Social Work or related field
One year of job-related experience
Completion of the NC Child Welfare Education Collaborative (CWEC) traineeship can be substituted for 1 year of experience
Valid Driver's License and "safe" driving record
Equivalent education and experience are accepted

Nice To Haves

Experience with interviewing, screening, and assessing family needs in a Social Services environment
Community engagement experience
Resource development experience
Group facilitation experience
Experience in working with at-risk families
Knowledge of Coaching and Case Management Techniques to interface & connect with traumatized and difficult to reach families
Skilled at 1:1 coaching, group facilitation, workshop presentation
Knowledge of child development and the effects of trauma on children and family systems
Knowledge of Programs and Services for families
Passion and commitment to father engagement and permanency for children
Possess strong interpersonal and customer services skills; able to build and maintain positive, productive relationships with peers, colleagues, managers, providers, the community and other professionals
Ability to respond to and manage ever-changing requirements and priorities with flexibility and a positive attitude; use appropriate interpersonal skills and methods to reduce tension and resolve conflict
Experience in community outreach and engagement

Responsibilities

Routinely conduct home visits to observe, assess, document and monitor the conditions, level of functioning, well-being and/or risk of the children and family, and services needed. The home visit assessment includes caregiver interactions, disciplinary techniques, communication styles, child development, and level of nurturing, safety, health, budgeting, nutrition/food preparation and home maintenance, etc.
Engage families and other support to assess family’s needs and implement interventions that are goal oriented and achievable. Builds on the strength of the family to assist them in meeting their needs and respond to crisis and stress appropriately. Coordinates and facilitates the provision of family support services to increase life skills. Report incidents of child abuse and neglect, and assist the family in modifying behaviors and/or conditions that contribute to abuse and neglect as necessary.
Establishes and maintains healthy, professional relationships to assist families in becoming independent of the child welfare system. Develops strategies to build trust and rapport with families and uses it as a basis in creating a plan to achieve goals.
Collects relevant and accurate information required for reporting to assist in the case management function; Documents detailed client contact records to assist in the compilation of a family history and to document progress or lack thereof towards established goals. Complete all necessary documentation in a timely manner. Regularly assists in analyzing the collected information and actively participates in team meetings that focus on family assessment, family development planning and service agreement development.
Regularly maintains relationships with other community agencies, educational institutions, businesses and service providers to advocate for clients. Regularly integrates/links families to informal and formal resources within their community or neighborhood to create natural support systems. Regularly participate in internal and external meetings in spirit of mutual support of families and advocate for needed resources and services and to ensure families are provided with all possible resources available.
Attend community/neighborhood meetings and events to keep abreast of new and/or changing programs, projects and community resources. Regularly maintain relations with other community agencies, educational institutions, businesses and service providers to advocate for clients and needed resources. Serve as a representative of the collaborative at community-based events and/or meetings.
Facilitate Kinship Care Support Groups/Community Education Workshops, provide service intake on a needed basis, utilize a family-centered approach to promote/increase economic self-sufficiency, decrease dependency, prevent child abuse and neglect, and encourage health and wellness. This role is also expected to work closely with the Family Support Respite Services.