PROTECTIVE CASEWORKER

Summit County (OH)•Akron, OH

36d•$25 - $36

About The Position

The Child Welfare (CW) Caseworker is responsible for the continuous assessment of abuse, neglect and other forms of maltreatment of children in the agency's care and custody and intervening for their safety when warranted. CW Caseworkers focus on ensuring the social, physical, psychological and emotional well-being of their clients. CW Caseworkers work with law enforcement, the court system, childcare providers, community services, families and relatives to ensure the permanency, safety and well-being of all children with whom they work. The CW Caseworker is committed to practicing cultural competence by working respectfully and effectively with people of all cultures, classes, races, genders, ethnic backgrounds, religions, sexual orientations, mental and physical abilities, ages and appearances in a manner that respects and preserves the dignity of all. The CW Caseworker commits to adhere to SCCS' mission, vision and values at all times.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Counseling (non-school related), Psychology, Sociology, Criminal Justice, Child and Family Development or Human Development and Family Studies; or MSW, MSSA or Master's in Counseling (non-school related) required.
Incumbent must possess a valid State of Ohio drivers' license with no more than eight (8) points on his/her driving record at any time to drive his/her/their own vehicle and no more than six (6) points to drive an agency vehicle. Incumbent must also possess auto insurance as defined by Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) at all times.
Incumbent must also adhere to agency policies that address these topics.
Must have knowledge and demonstrated skill in the following areas: Child Development, Family Systems Theory, Crisis Intervention, Domestic Violence Issues and Substance Abuse Issues. Must have working knowledge of DSM V or most current version of the diagnostic manual, risk assessment and child abuse/neglect indicators.
Ability to read and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports and business correspondence. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from supervisors, clients, and the general public.
Demonstrated excellence in customer service required.
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must have demonstrated knowledge in all Microsoft Office products including, but not limited to Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Access, as well as Publisher; demonstrated knowledge of audiovisual equipment as it pertains to the training environment.
Incumbent is required to travel to/from Agency meetings within the County and State as directed by his/her chain of command, and as required for job duties. Travel requires the use of a vehicle insured in the incumbent's name, unless a County-owned vehicle is secured pursuant to contract language and/or Agency policy/procedure. Personal vehicles must be in good working order and appropriately accommodate passengers as needed.
Regular attendance is required. Incumbent must adhere to Agency policies regarding use of time off at all times.
Incumbent is required to adhere to Agency rules & regulations and support the mission, vision & guiding principles at all times.

Nice To Haves

Two (2) years casework experience in public child welfare, mental health or family services agency preferred.
LSW, LISW, PC or LPC preferred.
Prior experience working with the Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS) and/or Traverse Document Management System preferred.

Responsibilities

Engages with families to evaluate safety and risk of all children being served in all interactions.
Make service recommendations. Collaborates with community professionals to meet the individual service needs of families to strengthen them, build supports, reduce risk, and remove safety threats to children.
Actively participate in all required client/case-centered meetings including but not limited to Team Decision Making Meetings, Semi-Annual Reviews, Family Team Meetings, Planned Permanency Review Panel, Administrative Case Conferences, Placement Review and Match Meetings.
Visits with all children in the placement setting or own home monthly in accordance with federal, state, and agency mandates to assess safety and care. Assists parent and/or caregiver in ensuring medical, therapeutic, psychiatric, educational and other applicable needs of children are met.
Develops case plans with all parties. Regularly reviews case plan progress with all parties. Conducts monthly visits with adult/parent/caregiver associated with case. Completes referral and linkage to services for children and families. Assess and evaluates family progress. Provides case management services to children and families. Support families in achievement of case plan objectives and goal.
Coordinates and works closely with other community service providers, i.e., doctors, therapists, schools and courts on behalf of the children on caseload; Coordinates or provides transportation for children to doctors, school, therapy and community agencies as needed.
Arranges, coordinates or supervises family visits at the Family Interaction Center, in the community, parent or relative homes.
Completes, prepares and/or updates all required/needed case documentation such as Comprehensive Assessment and Planning Model- Interim Solution (CAPMIS) tools, activity logs, life books, social/medical histories and child study inventories, etc. timely as required by mandates and agency policy.
Completes relevant reports and forms, such as Family Search and Engagement (FSE), Individual Child Care Agreements (ICCA), and Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children (ICPC) requests in accordance with ODJFS and agency guidelines.
Completes documentation into the Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System(SACWIS)and Traverse system according to agency and departmental guidelines.
Works collaboratively with the Legal Department to file necessary affidavits and motions; Prepares testimony, case plans and/or other documentation required for court review hearings, dispositional hearings, trials, finalization hearings, or other hearings required for cases; Represents the Agency's position in court.
Supports other units/departments as needed; Available for CW Casework duties in Intake, Intake Screening & Supports, Placement Services, Protective, Protective Specialized Services and/or Social Service Programs departments as required by chain of command.
Assists in the orientation/shadowing of agency staff as required by the employee's chain of command.
Attends and participates in supervision meetings as established by the employee's chain of command and based on the needs of the worker/caseload; Attends and participates in all agency meetings including unit, department, division and all staff meetings.
Attends trainings as identified by the chain of command regarding child welfare and meets the annual requirements for working as a CW Caseworker in the State of Ohio, as well as biannual requirements for license in the State of Ohio, where required.
Adheres to all agency policies and procedures, including but not limited to Professional Ethics and Conflict of Interest and adherence to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics, regardless of licensure.