Family Services Specialist I - CPS In-home

Family Services Specialist I represents the entry level employees working under close supervision while being trained in program areas such as, Adult/Adult Protective Services, Child Protective Services, Foster Care/’Adoption, Child Care, and Employment Services. Employees perform routine- to journey-level casework activities and the casework usually is reviewed by the supervisor prior to implementing a case action. Upon completion of the training program and attainment of necessary approvals, the employee shall be redefined to a full-performance Family Services Specialist II and becomes eligible for a pay increase as defined by the local agency compensation plan. The Family Services Specialist I is distinguished from the Family Services Specialist II by the latter’s functioning more independently as a full performance Family Services Specialist.

CPS In-home:
This position supports and assists agency clients with personal, social, health, and economic needs. Identifies problems, counsels with families by addressing specific needs and/or issues with regard to keeping families and children safe in their own homes. Maintains case records, prepares written reports of services, findings and actions, and testifies in related court hearings as required. This program works with children who are in danger of placement in foster care, as well as their families. This involves facilitation of services such as prevention and treatment services pertaining to mental health, substance abuse disorder, and In-Home Parent skill-based services. This position creates prevention strategies, completes prevention service plans, and accesses federal funding in efforts to
keep families intact. Performs work with agencies such the courts, schools, and other community partners. Supplies information about agency and/or resources and facilities to community. Verifies data and assists clients with arranging various services. Maintains CPS caseload while completing routine paperwork in time frames required by Virginia State Code. Ability to multi-task and respond to crisis situations in a timely and professional manner. Acts as a team player willing to assist co-workers and able to work outside the normal range of hours when necessary. Participates in a rotating after hours team that responds to emergency CPS/APS/Foster Care situations.

General Work Tasks-Interviews clients to assess the nature and extent of needs; maintains records through the course of client's service relationships with agency; makes referrals for service to agencies, such as clinics, employment services, vocational rehabilitation services, etc.; performs work with agencies such as juvenile and domestic relations courts, circuit courts, etc.; provides protection and care to abandoned, abused, and/or neglected children and adults on a regular and emergency basis in potentially dangerous situations; works with abusive or neglecting parents and families to help effect changes in family situation, usually in a family home setting; makes decisions to remove children from dangerous situations and recommendations regarding institutionalization of adults and children; maintains case records, prepares written reports of services, findings and actions; serves as agency representative on a variety of multi-disciplinary teams; and shares a 24-hour on-call rotation.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge- Some knowledge of: social work principles and practices; human behavior and motivational theory; and social, economic, and health problems.

Skills- Skill in operating a motor vehicle and personal computer with associated software.

Abilities- Demonstrated ability to: communicate effectively both orally and in writing; interview, assess needs, counsel and refer clients to other resources as needed; develop and implement service plans in order to insure the delivery of appropriate services to the client; make sound judgments within the framework of existing laws, policies, and regulations; respond to the client's emotions in order to accomplish services objectives; plan and manage own work activities including service delivery preparing reports, and correspondence, record keeping responsibilities and related activities; establish and maintain effective relationships; and stay abreast of current trends and developments in the social work field.

Education and Experience- Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in a Human Services field or minimum of a 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. Possession of a BSW or MSW degree and a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license are desirable.