Case Worker (York County)

Position Summary

The Case Worker will provide services to individuals and families referred to the York County Office of Children, Youth, and Families (YCOCYF) due to allegations of child abuse and neglect, and to assure the safety of children regardless of their placement location. The Case Worker will arrange and monitor in-home and out-of-home care provided to selected clients of YCOCYF. The Case Worker will interview clients to obtain social histories; provide referrals for services and formulate and implement Family Service Plans with families.

Responsibilities

• Assure the safety and risk of each client is assessed in a timely, thorough manner
• Inspect home environments to determine if reports of neglect have merit. Such conditions may include lack of food, unsanitary conditions, young children home alone, etc.
• Assess the need for out-of-home-placement and counsel clients regarding the need for placement and separation of family members
• Provide immediate child protective services to those children remaining in the home
• Refer clients to various community resources
• Aid in the completion of service referrals for clients
• Research, generate, and maintain records and documentation
• Provide protective and supportive services for abused or neglected children or adults
• Input data into automated tracking and reporting systems
• Maintain case records, required forms, and reports in prescribed agency format
• Prepare documents and provide testimony in Court according to agency procedure
• Participate in team meetings
• Work collaboratively with service providers, schools, hospitals, clinics, courts, and other community resources
• Attend and complete Foundations of Pennsylvania Child Welfare Practice to obtain caseworker certification in PA
• Complete twenty hours of on-going education yearly to maintain the caseworker certification

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree which includes, or is supplemented by, successful completion of 12 college credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology, criminal justice or other related social sciences OR an equivalent combination of experience and training which includes 12 college credits in sociology, social welfare, psychology, gerontology or criminal justice
• Valid driver’s license and current vehicle insurance. Requires travel to client homes and throughout the community. Must have reliable transportation and the ability to drive
• State Police; FBI clearance; child abuse clearance; CPSL Mandated Reporter-Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse training; any additional background checks/clearances required by state governing bodies
• Knowledge of current social case management principles, techniques, and methods
• Knowledge of current social, economic, and health problems and resources and the recognition of their impact on the growth and development of children
• Knowledge of individual and group development and behavior and ways of working effectively with adult s and children who have social, economic, emotional, health, or mental health problems
• Ability to conduct individual and family interviews and to use them to identify individual and family problems
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, their families, other staff, attorneys, and service providers
• Ability to interpret and apply relevant laws, regulations, and policies governing agency services
• Ability to adequately express ideas orally and in writing
• Ability to plan and organize work, prepare adequate records an reports, set priorities, and maintain a caseload in an effective and timely manner