Social Caseworker – Children, Youth, & Family Services (Adoption Assistance Programs Negotiator)

El Paso County•El Paso, CO

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

This position is part of the Social Caseworker - Children, Youth, & Family Services (CYFS) career progression series. The purpose of El Paso County is to provide essential public services to the Pikes Peak Region in support of its residents, businesses, and communities, enhancing the freedom for all to thrive. This role works to preserve and/or rehabilitate families while protecting children's physical, emotional, and mental well-being through child protection, adolescent services, placements, and/or permanency plans. Based on position assignment, coordinates the practice and is responsible for primary decision-making of child protection practices or coordinates the services and secondary-service decisions as related to safety, permanency, well-being and preserving families. As a member of the Children, Youth and Family Services Adoption Team, you will join a team that provides case management to children post termination, through adoption finalization, and while adoption assistance agreements remain active. In this position, you will hold primary responsibility for Adoption Assistance negotiations. This includes negotiations for initial adoption agreements, renegotiation requests and negotiations for the Relative Guardianship Assistance Program (RGAP). This position will complete contracts necessary for adoption and guardianship agreements. Additionally, as a member of the adoption team, this individual will be cross trained on adoption caseworker duties. We are seeking a candidate with strong time management and organization skills. This is a child protection position; child protection includes engaging families. It is reasonable to anticipate the need for flexibility in work hours periodically to accommodate client schedules. Due to the sensitive nature of this role, additional background checks may be required, including a Government Program Fraud check, Child Welfare Abuse & Neglect database (TRAILS) check, and Welfare Caseworker Falsification check.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or higher from a higher education institution with course work related to the job responsibilities of child welfare social caseworker as stated in Volume 7. Course work examples can include and are not limited to, the development of human behavior, child development, family intervention techniques, diagnostic measures, or therapeutic techniques. A degree in progress that is conferred by the start date may be considered.
One year of professional, internship, or volunteer work experience in a human service-related agency.
Knowledge of casework practices, procedures, and guidelines.
Ability to communicate and work effectively with co-workers, clients, other agencies, community professionals, the courts, and the public.
Ability to provide excellent customer service.
Ability to efficiently plan, schedule, and organize.
Ability to assess situations and make prudent and appropriate decisions; ability to apply conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.
Ability to accurately and efficiently complete paperwork, reports, and documentation.
Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
Ability to use standard office equipment to include computer, fax machine, copier, and telephone.
Maintain regular and punctual attendance.
Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and proof of automobile insurance as stated within El Paso County’s Personnel Policies Manual.
Must obtain and maintain necessary certifications as applicable to the position.
Must possess or obtain Colorado State Child Welfare Caseworker Certification within ninety days of course enrollment and maintain certification thereafter.
Must pass conditional post-offer background investigation, including fingerprinting, motor vehicle record check, and drug screen.
College transcripts required prior to the date of hire.

Nice To Haves

Successful completion of a Bachelor’s Degree of Social Work (BSW) or Master's Degree of Social Work (MSW) internship in a human services-related agency may substitute for the required experience.
Experience working with contracts.
Experience working with adoption, adoption programs, or the Relative Guardianship Assistance Program (RGAP).

Responsibilities

Interviews clients and develops appropriate treatment plans; initiates and/or participates in home studies, and provides intensive casework services to families and children; investigates allegations of child abuse and assesses imminent danger for children; makes referrals to community resources and collateral contacts.
Monitors and reports clients' progress and provides service recommendations/referrals.
Ensures that needed services are being provided, that treatment plans are being followed through in a timely manner and determines the appropriateness of the placement and services provided.
Addresses child safety issues in the home to mitigate safety concerns; ensures that children in the department's custody or supervision receive necessary interventions.
Provides crisis management and coordinates support services for clients to resolve problems and conflicts.
Acts as a liaison for the DHS and consults with other caseworkers and community professionals on case situations, treatment/case plans, issues, and problems.
Provides casework and assessment services for teams within the Practice Unit.
Attends and testifies in court hearings and mediations as needed; completes appropriate paperwork, documentation, reports, reviews, etc. for court hearings monitors clients' compliance with court orders; serves temporary custody notices and petitions the court for verbal orders.
Prepares for and participates in meetings and staffings.
Documents all contacts and ensures that all paperwork and documentation are accurately completed and filed; completes necessary case information reports, inputs updates into database.
Arranges and provides transportation for clients to appointments, therapy, school, court hearings, pre-placement visits, etc.
Ensures compliance with Federal, State and County laws, outcome measures, rules, and regulations; reviews cases to ensure case plans are developed and implemented.
Provides support to Practice and Support and Services teams within the CYFS Division as needed.
Collects and reports statistics and data on unit and outcomes and performances.
Facilitates meetings as needed.
Performs other duties as required.
Primary responsibility of Adoption Assistance Negotiations, including negotiations for initial adoption agreements, renegotiation requests and negotiations for the Relative Guardianship Assistance Program (RGAP).
Completes contracts necessary for adoption and guardianship agreements.
Cross-trained on adoption caseworker duties.