Ongoing Caseworker Trainee

Definition of Class

• Entry-level professional social service work in a County Children & Youth, Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities or Human Services Agency
• Participates in trainings which provide information on methods, procedures, rules and regulations necessary to perform social service and case management supportive services to children, youth, families, mentally disabled individuals, physically challenged and others to assist them with social, economic, emotional or physical adjustments. This position works under the close supervision of an administrative or professional supervisor.

Nature of Work

• Participates in training programs providing basic knowledge relative to agency purpose, services provided, client population characteristics and applicable laws. This position performs a variety of entry-level social services and case management duties, assists clients/families in using developing and using their own potential in resolving their social, health, emotional, and economic problems, guides clients/families in home and budget management, housing, child care , employment and living arrangements, and schedules/conducts interviews and follow-up visits to provide counseling. A Caseworker 1 can also testify in court under supervision and make referrals to other public and private social services and community agencies.
• Participate in peer group with all members of the unit.
• Attend staff meetings of the entire Agency personnel.
• Attend inter-agency meetings such as the Multi-Disciplinary Team, Supervisory Review and Shelter Discharge meetings, and mental health team meetings for the purpose of coordination of treatment plans. Read memoranda to keep informed of Agency procedural changes and statewide regulation changes.
• Performs related work as required.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Gathers/assesses information, evaluating risk/safety within family home, evaluating environmental safety of a child/family, or discussing issues relevant to the family. Direct services also include contacts with foster families, group homes, and institutions caring for children under Court Order, and with adoption resources, if parental rights have been terminated.
• Utilization of treatment team planning, collaborative service with community providers, participation in Agency supportive and administrative team meetings and multiple disciplinary team meetings.
• Interactions with family members, other Agency staff, community professionals/general public completed professionally.
• Reporting child abuse/neglect to ChildLine/Intake, completing social histories, completing child assessments, assessing risk, completing and assisting to implement safety plans, discussion and mutual completion of Family Service Plans/Child Permanency Plans.
• Makes culturally appropriate, community based referrals for child/family.
• Assess/document risk to the child's physical and/or emotional well-being through direct contact with family members, completion of a child assessment and via collateral resources. Complete a thorough assessment of immediate threats to safety and construct a plan that protects the child from those threats.
• Secure County Social Services Aide services for family/child as indicated for support, parent education, transportation, or assisting in providing other ancillary services. Transport child to medical, mental health appointments, etc., if parents or County Social Services Aides are unable.
• Intervene when environmental, parent-child/family crisis suggests possible harm to the child. Secure safety using available family supports. Refer child to Juvenile Court requirements. Secure the least restrictive placement that meets the child's safety, emotional/physical needs in a culturally appropriate environment.
• Enact out of home placement according to state/federal laws and regulations, Agency policies and Juvenile Court requirements. Secure the least restrictive placement that meets the child's safety, emotional and physical needs in a culturally appropriate environment.
• Monitor child's adjustment to out-of-home placement by meeting with the child and his/her caretaker monthly minimally. Arrange visitation to occur regularly between patient/child to facilitate child's return home.
• Prepare for, attend and testify at all Court hearings. Prepare correspondence to the Court/attorneys regarding visitation plans, changes in case situations, runaways, and releases of information. Prepares progress reports/evaluations for Juvenile Court. Consult attorneys/Court coordinators. Arrange for delivery of subpoenas. Explain rights/recommendations to clients.
• Select the adoptive home which best suits the needs of the child or sibling group. Apply for subsidies. Prepare child for adoption.
• Service Accountability Responsibilities include:
• Complete case record documentation.
• Compose Court summaries.
• Complete inter-office reports (mileage, expense reports, weekly schedules, etc.).
• Keep Agency informed of out-of-office appointments.
• Supervision and Training:
• Attend supervisor sessions with Casework Supervisor. Keep supervisor informed of significant events with clients; collaborate on treatment planning/techniques to use in contacts with families and to deal with any problems the caseworker may have in working with a family.
• Attend in-house training sessions with training supervisor.
• Attend training sessions required by the state for Child Welfare Caseworker Certification. After completion of State mandatory training, caseworker must complete a minimum of 20 hours of training each calendar year to keep their caseworker status.
• Will be mentored during their 6 month probationary period to enhance their abilities to service families and to assist in the learning experience.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Knowledge of basic economics, sociology, psychology and other social science principles.
• Knowledge of current social, economic and health problems and their impact on the growth and development of people.
• Ability to understand and accept the needs and rights of others in working with physically challenged, mentally disabled, emotionally troubled and economically disadvantaged children and adults.
• Ability to learn how to effectively interact with individuals and families and as a team member.
• Ability to interpret and apply relevant laws and conduct individual and family interviews.
• Ability to express ideas.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree including 12 Credits in Sociology, Social Welfare or related Social Services or 2 years of experience as a county Social Services Aide and 2 years of college, including 12 Credits in Sociology, Social Welfare or other related Social Sciences

Supervision Received

• Supervision provided by a Casework Supervisor during regular weekly meetings, peer group, and weekly meetings with training supervisor upon hire for 3 months and as needed thereafter.

Conditions Of Employment

• Required to provide and are subject to Pennsylvania criminal and child abuse clearances as well as an FBI fingerprint clearance.