Social Caseworker B - Trauma Support Program - Family Support Worker

Our Mission: Arapahoe County Department of Human Services (ACDHS) builds strong communities by promoting the safety, independence and stability of individuals and families.
Our Vision:To end the cycle of poverty and prevent abuse and neglect of children and vulnerable adults (using an integrated Two-Generation approach)
ACDHS uses an integrated Two-Generation (2Gen) approach to address all of the basic human services needs of the entire family unit. The 2Gen approach begins with a mindset focused on family-centered program design and continues with the alignment of services and resources within the department as well as across multiple organizations, resulting in coordinated services to children and adults together (family) in order to create long-term stability and sustainability.
The 2Gen approach builds well-being for families by focusing equally and intentionally on high-quality services in five areas of focus: early childhood education, adult education and employment pathways, economic security, health and well-being, and social capital. This approach will help us achieve our core mission of breaking the generational cycle of poverty, preventing neglect and abuse, and building strong communities.
The Trauma Support Program (TSP) Family Support team engages children, adolescents, and families through a solution-focused, trauma-informed lens to achieve safety, permanency, and well-being. TSP caseworkers work with biological, and adoptive families to use their unique strengths to develop a healthy and stable family structure. TSP caseworkers assist families in growing their skills in trauma education, communication, protective parenting, effective problem-solving, conflict resolution, core issues of adoption, collaborative co-parenting, and identifying safety and support networks.

• The TSP Family Support caseworker works therapeutically and collaboratively to maintain children in their home and to assist with reunification efforts when a child or youth is returning home from care. Services are provided 1-2 times per week in the home, plus crisis management intervention.
• The TSP caseworker assesses safety and risk, coordinates services, and advocates for children and youth and their families in a culturally responsive manner. Decisions are made reflecting the philosophy of the agency, which includes a strength-based focus, the best interest of the child, youth, and family, and the safety of the community while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
• The TSP caseworker participates in staffing with schools, mental health, and service providers, child protection review teams, RED Teams, family decision meetings, and court hearings.
• Clinical skills are necessary to provide a rigorous and balanced assessment of family and systemic drivers of the referral behavior and to implement various treatment modalities while continuing to assess safety and risk. These skills are critical to link families with the most appropriate services.
• The TSP caseworker communicates regularly with caseworkers, Guardians ad Litem, mental health and service providers, and other professionals involved in the case.
• The TSP caseworker acts as an active part of the treatment team that makes recommendations for critical decisions such as removal, permanent placement, reunification, termination of parental rights, foster care placement, and/or adoption.
• The TSP caseworker demonstrates clinical skills in treatment and in the planning of interventions, as well as the ability to meet treatment goals.
• The TSP caseworker shows the ability to advocate in a strong, clinical, and professional manner for agreed-upon treatment plan. This will be apparent in situations where there is resistance from other agencies and/or professionals. The TSP caseworker will be available to staff to discuss how to meet treatment goals.
• The TSP caseworker will provide a variety of ancillary assignments as needed, including preparing and maintaining client records and completing required forms and reports.
• The TSP caseworker will enter data and face-to-face documentation into Trails, as well as compile and maintain statistical records.
• The TSP caseworker will provide expert testimony in court hearings as necessary.

REQUIREMENTS:
Skills, Abilities and Competencies:

• Excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental and legal regulations.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from the court, groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public via fax, telephone, and email.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office suite and state and county computer systems. Ability to learn various applications.
• Ability to work in a high-volume, high-stress environment.

Behavioral Competencies (these are required for all positions at ACG):
Accountability Accessibility Inclusivity IntegrityEducation and Experience:
A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with a major in a human behavior science field* and one (1) year of professional casework, case management, or human services experience in a public or private human services agency. Some examples of appropriate work experience could include: clinical experience, residential child care experience, milieu experience, domestic violence case manager, paid victim's advocate, probation officer, law enforcement, para-professional work, and/or other case management experience.
OR
A Bachelor of Social Work degree and successful completion of an approved field placement in a county Department of Human Services.
OR
A Master of Social Work or a human behavioral science field*.
* In order to meet the minimum educational requirements of a human behavioral science degree, the applicant must have a degree with major course work (equivalent to 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours) in either development of human behavior, child development, family intervention techniques, diagnostic measures or therapeutic techniques such as social work, psychology, sociology, guidance and counseling, and child development.
Categorically Eligible Degrees:
For the purposes of meeting minimum educational requirements, the following degrees obtained from an accredited university will be considered "categorically eligible," meaning no review of transcripts is required - Bachelor of Arts and/or Master of Arts degree in the following areas of study: psychology, sociology, social work, counseling, child development.
Areas of study that will be considered to meet the minimum educational requirements as outlined in Volume VII:

1. Psychology
2. Sociology
3. Social Work
4. Counseling
5. Child Development
6. Criminal Justice courses relevant to child welfare: This includes courses covering topics in juvenile justice, family law, family conflict, general court procedures, interviewing techniques, dispute resolution, and mediation.
7. Foreign language courses
8. Anthropology courses relevant to cultural development and history, linguistic development, and communications. Physical anthropology courses do not count toward minimum requirements.
9. History courses relevant to family and cultural development

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Master of Social Work or a human behavioral science field
• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

Pre-Employment Additional Requirements:

• Must successfully pass pre-employment testing which includes an acceptable motor vehicle record (MVR) and background check.
• Possession of a valid Class "R" Colorado Driver's License or the ability to obtain one within two weeks of appointment.

Post-Employment Requirements:

• Security clearance required: will require fingerprinting and a Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) background check
• Must have already successfully completed the Colorado Pre-Service Training Academy program or if hired, must successfully complete and pass all required State of Colorado training in order to be considered for future employment.
• Reliable transportation is required as you will be utilizing your own personal vehicle for visiting families' homes, transporting children, and attending court. (You will be reimbursed for mileage).
• Work locations and facilities are subject to change based on business needs.
• Hours vary depending on the families' needs, with some evenings.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Work is generally confined to a standard office environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The following are some of the physical demands commonly associated with this position.

• Spends 50% of the time sitting and 50% of the time either standing or walking.
• Occasionally lifts, carries, pulls, or pushes up to 20 lbs.
• Occasionally uses cart, dolly, or other equipment to carry in excess of 20 lbs.
• Occasionally climbs, stoops, kneels, balances, reaches, crawls, and crouches while performing office or work duties.
• Verbal and auditory capacity enabling constant interpersonal communication through automated devices, such as telephones, radios, and similar, and in public meetings and personal interactions.
• Constant use of eye, hand, and finger coordination, enabling the use of automated office machinery or equipment.
• Visual capacity enabling constant use of computers or other work-related equipment.

Below, please list any special physical demands associated with this position. For instance, exposure to hazardous environments, blood-borne pathogens, extreme heat/cold, use of power equipment or machinery, and wearing of PPE (personal protective equipment).
Definitions:
Occasionally: Activity exists less than 1/3 of the time.
Frequently: Activity exists between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time.
Constantly: Activity exists more than 2/3 of the time.
Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to: https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/pslfFlow.action#!/pslf/launch

Privacy Rights 24
https://arapahoeco.gov/Human%20Resources/Work%20for%20Arapahoe%20County/Privacy%20Act%20Statement.pdf
Privacy Rights 25

https://arapahoeco.gov/Human%20Resources/Work%20for%20Arapahoe%20County/Noncriminal%20Justice%20Applicant%20Privacy%20Rights.pdf

Toll-Free Applicant Technical Support:If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (i.e. uploading or attaching documents to your online application), call NEOGOV technical support at 855-524-5627. Helpful hints: if you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application, first, ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files, and second, close the document before you attempt uploading (attaching) it.
Employment Type: Full-time