SOCIAL WORKER - CPS ACCESS UNIT

La Crosse County•La Crosse, WI

About The Position

La Crosse County Human Services is seeking a Social Worker to join their Child Protective Services (CPS) Access Unit. This is a vital front-line, entry-level role within the Human Services Department's Family & Children's Section. The Social Worker will serve as the first point of contact for community members reporting concerns of child abuse, neglect, or requesting support. Responsibilities include gathering, assessing, and documenting information according to CPS Access and Initial Assessment Standards to determine if statutory criteria for assessment are met. The role involves working closely with the Access Supervisor and the CPS team to ensure high-quality screening, effective communication, and consistent decision-making that promotes child and family safety and stability. A significant part of the work involves building relationships with parents/caregivers, who may be involuntarily involved with CPS and struggle with issues like mental health or substance abuse. The social worker will identify root causes of safety concerns, develop treatment plans, and provide case management, services, and support to help parents safely care for their children. The position also involves providing court-related services in accordance with the Children's Code (Chapter 48) and includes periodic after-hours on-call coverage, with potential to assist with other CPS functions.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a major in Social Work (or any related college degree such as Sociology, Psychology or Criminal Justice).
Minimum one year of experience working with children and families where child abuse or neglect was present, and familiarity with community resources.
Experience in investigation, forensic interviewing, and working with law enforcement personnel in child abuse and neglect cases.
Experience providing services, support and guidance within the trauma-informed care framework.
Excellent facilitation, teaming and mediation skills evidenced by examples of successful work with persons and/or entities having differing backgrounds, beliefs, work practices, etc.
Good computer and keyboarding skills for entering data, using various computer programs, using the internet, intranet and email.
Valid driver's license and access to personal transportation, or other reliable means for city and rural travel.
Certification by the State of Wisconsin as a Social Worker. If not certified at the time of application for employment with La Crosse County, must have applied to the State of Wisconsin for a Temporary or Training Certificate and obtain regular Certification within specified time limits.
Must be certified, or willing to obtain certification, as a juvenile intake worker in the State of Wisconsin with powers to take children into physical custody per Chapter 48.
Must be available and willing to participate in on-call rotation, which includes working nights, weekends and holidays on a rotating basis.
High level of resiliency to receive negative feedback and not take it personally.
Ability to be organized and able to prioritize the workload.
Ability to think critically and be able to articulate your thoughts.
Knowledge of the philosophy, history and development of social welfare programs.
Basic knowledge and understanding of human growth and behavior.
Knowledge of current social and economic problems and the way in which these problems affect families and individuals.
Knowledge of laws, regulations and practices pertaining to federal and state public welfare programs.
Knowledge of resources for community welfare and health, and ways in which these resources may be used by people in need.
Knowledge of eWISACWIS.
Knowledge of Child Protective Services Access and Initial Assessment and Ongoing standards and Chapter 48 of the Wisconsin Statutes.
Knowledge of Administrative Codes HFS 38, HFS 54, HFS 12, DCF 56 and DCF 58.
Knowledge of the dynamics of child abuse and neglect, child development and family systems.
Knowledge of trauma-informed care and parenting practices.
Knowledge of motivational interviewing.
Knowledge of Safety Assessment and Planning for Child Protective Services.
Knowledge of specific threats to child safety, assessment and safety planning.
Ability to work with diverse populations.
Ability to relate to people in an unprejudiced and understanding manner with concerns for their circumstances and feelings.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively.
Ability to plan and organize work to most effectively achieve program objectives.
Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
Ability to participate in, and appropriately use, available supervision.
Ability to participate meaningfully in training provided by the agency, State Department, the University of Wisconsin Extension, and other resources.
Ability to work closely with law enforcement, medical and court system personnel.
Ability to analyze information and prioritize duties according to urgency.
Ability to work in a fast paced environment with a need to multitask.
Must be comfortable with going in to varying levels of home settings.

Responsibilities

Be the first point of contact for community members reporting concerns of abuse, neglect, or requesting support.
Gather, assess, and document information in accordance with CPS Access and Initial Assessment Standards.
Make informed recommendations regarding whether statutory criteria for assessment are met.
Work closely with the Access Supervisor and CPS team to ensure high-quality screening, effective communication, and consistent decision-making that promote safety and stability for children and families.
Provide periodic after-hours on-call coverage.
Assist with other CPS functions as needed.
Work as a member of a team and utilize a family-centered, strength-based approach.
Integrate new knowledge, initiatives and approaches when working with families such as, trauma informed care, in-home safety services and signs of safety.
Receive, document, and analyze reports of alleged child maltreatment.
Conduct thorough assessments through interviews, home visits and collateral contacts, to determine the range of services needed by these individuals and their families for preventative, remedial or rehabilitative services.
Research and secure informal supports to alleviate the need for formal services and ensure the family's success in the long term.
Coordinate or participate in family team meetings to bring both informal supports and formal service providers together to discuss how best to support the parent in making the necessary changes to ensure safety of their child.
Provide social services per Wisconsin Statutes, court policies, and/or requirements of the program, state, or federal guidelines.
Write court reports and permanency plans in preparation for court hearings.
Testify or provide information during court hearings.
Maintain case records containing pertinent, accurate and current information.
Fully complete required documentation in a timely fashion and in accordance with program requirements.
Conduct ongoing safety and case evaluations to develop and update treatment plans to promote the child's safety, well-being, and permanency to lead to case closure.
Maintain skill and competence levels as policies and regulations change by attending department/staff meetings and by participating in continuing training as required and appropriate.
Maintain confidentiality of client-related information, maintains respectful treatment of clients, and adheres to the La Crosse County Standards of Conduct in the Administrative Code (3.13).
Adhere to approved social worker principles, methods, and practices, including the National Association of Social Worker's (NASW) code of ethics.
Perform after hours on-call and intake duties, which includes working nights, weekends, and holidays on a rotating basis.
Report to work when scheduled, with minimum use of sick leave.
Be courteous, cooperative and respectful at all times, with the public and clients.
Establish and maintain a courteous, cooperative and respectful working relationship with other employees, supervisors, and public officials.
Assist and provide back up to other Social Workers as necessary or required.
May be required to work nights, weekends, or during community emergencies and/or disasters, when work may vary from normal job responsibilities.
Perform other duties as may be assigned or required.