Social Worker / Case Worker - Family & Children Services - Initial Assessment

The purpose of this classification is to provide professional level duties and manage social services to children and families, child protection investigation, alternate care for children; and ongoing services to families according to applicable policies, regulations and statues.  The work is performed in accordance with applicable rules, regulations and laws under the supervision of the Family and Children’s Services Supervisor.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily and in a timely manner. The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all inclusive. Other duties may be required or assigned.

Focus Essential Functions:
Conducts child protective service assessments in accordance with s. 48.981 to ensure the safety and well-being of children and families and determine the presence of maltreatment.  Determines child’s safety within the family setting and takes required action to protect child as appropriate.  Collaborate with District Attorney, Law Enforcement and medical personnel.

Identifies through family assessment and case management individual needs which include psychological, parenting, discipline, family functioning, substance use, daily functioning, and safety of child.  Develops case plans including goals, objectives and services. Maintains safety plans to ensure child’s safety.  Monitors family utilization of services, and informs the court of family/youth’s adherence to court orders.  Maintain ongoing contact with parents and family members in the delivery of services.

Meets with families in their homes, and public locations to provide assessments, supervision and ongoing services.

Teaches families about available community resources and how to independently gain access to needed services.  Provides leadership to achieve active involvement and participation of the child, family, schools, mental health providers, and other community resources in resolving problems.

Other Essential Functions:
Exercise powers and perform intake duties under WI stats 48.067 and 938.067.  Provides intake services to individuals for the purpose of screening children taken into custody and not released under s. 48.20 and 938.20.  Interviews children taken into custody and other parties.  Determines whether children continue to be held in custody under s. 48.205 and s.938.205 and in accordance with juvenile court policies.  Determines location of where child will be held under ch. 48 and 938.  Provides screening and recommendations to court for youth referred to juvenile court.
 Takes juveniles and children into custody under WI statute 48.19, 48.193, 48.195 and 938.19, 938.355(6d)

Provide intake duties after hours on a rotating basis in compliance with WI Statute 48.067 and 938.067.

Assess youth’s risk for criminogenic behavior and develops plans of supervision and services to protect community and decrease criminogenic needs based on evidence based practices.  Implement sanctions for youth in violation of rules of supervision according to statute and court policy.

Provides the leadership role in developing family-based case management services and decision-making to maintain intact families or to keep out-of-home placement at minimum levels.

Prepares timely reports for the court recommending a plan of rehabilitation, treatment, care, and permanency in accordance with statute, juvenile court policy, Department of Children and Family policy, and agency policies.

Coordinates with staff, families and providers to assess and develop goal oriented, time limited, family based service plans to meet identified needs.  Explains the consequences of non-compliance with court orders to families and youth.

Coordinates families’ access to services, monitors services to ensure services are provided timely and meeting family/child’s needs, evaluates progress and terminates services when goals are met.  Meet with child and families in their homes to monitor progress.

Works to achieve services and treatment objectives without duplication of effort and with maximum effective use of staff time and available resources.

Maintains a complete record for all assigned cases; completes required written assessments and plans, court reports, client progress, and other related paperwork as required by statute, DCF and agency policy.  Documents contacts and services, maintains files and data for reporting purposes, and prepares collateral dictation and other records and reports.

Assess and arranges needed safety services, out-home placements and other services.  Provides and monitor services to foster parents.  Assess out of home placements to determine if safe placement for child/youth.  Provide ongoing face to face contacts to out of home care providers and child.

Supervise child and parents during family interactions when deemed necessary through safety evaluations and ongoing case management to ensure safety of child with parent and provide appropriate skill development.

Conduct Independent Living Skills assessment and arrange or provide appropriate services for eligible youth in out of home care.
Determine relative eligibility for kinship care benefits.  Maintain eligibility documentation, case records, and conduct home visit.

Advocate on behalf of clients and provide leadership role in client and service staff meetings.  

Assist in writing grant applications.  

Participates in developing and delivering programs and services for families.

Recommend actions to District Attorney including petitions, sanctions, court order revisions, permanency plan hearings, termination of parental rights, and termination of orders.  Attend court hearings, testify and prepare for court.  

Develop and present public education information to the community and other organizations.  Promote inter-agency cooperation between Trempealeau County Department of Human Services and area law enforcement agencies, hospitals and collateral agencies.  

Maintain working knowledge of social services program policies and laws and case management and reporting requirements.  Attend and participate in training and professional development.  

Develops professional knowledge and skills by attending training events, conferences, and workshops.

Participate in staff meetings, supervision times, and other regularly scheduled meetings.  Participate in collaborative efforts internally and outside of the agency.

Answer telephone, take and relay messages, data entry and keyboarding, provide information to callers and visitors and fax materials.  

Photocopy materials.

Serve on area or State committees or boards related to social service programs or service delivery.

Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Human Services, or related field, two years case management experience preferred, or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities.  Experience in developing community alternatives for children and adults with disabilities and knowledge of Long Term Care, Behavioral Health and other related programs preferred.  Valid motor vehicle operator’s license and/or available means of transportation required. Social Workers are required to maintain their Wisconsin Social Work licensure or certification, to remain in the Social Worker position.  Case Workers may obtain their Wisconsin Social Work licensure or certification and be eligible to advance to a Social Worker position.