MCFS Family Protection Advocate/Liaison

About the Role

Provides compassionate, professional social work and case management services to children, parents, and families under general and direct supervision. Focuses on family-focused, solution-based risk assessments, home studies, and determining the need for intervention to assist families in maintaining children in the home or supporting reunification if children are placed out of the home.

Responsibilities

• Conduct family-focused, solution-based risk assessments and home studies.
• Determine the need for intervention and provide appropriate support or action to assist families.
• Facilitate family meetings to offer support, encourage voluntary placement, and coordinate resources for reunification.
• Initiate alternative out-of-home placements, such as with relatives or in foster care.
• Initiate court intervention in Muckleshoot Tribal court, prepare court reports, and provide testimony in Tribal and other courts.
• Complete individual service plans, group care packets, progress reports, and status change reports.
• Document all contact and services provided.
• Monitor visits between children and their families, ensuring monthly contact with placement families and children.
• Pursue active efforts with parents to ensure rapid and viable reunification.
• Maintain contact with collateral agencies, families, relatives, foster parents, schools, service providers, and other program staff to coordinate services.
• Meet with youth to assess needs, determine goals, and monitor progress.
• Assist with Child Protective investigations and monitor interviews with involved parties.
• Determine jurisdiction of children to ensure appropriate services.
• Maintain case records, including service episode records, case plans, risk assessments, and safety plans.
• Transport clients when necessary.
• Attend mandatory and/or approved training.
• Perform a wide range of office and field duties as needed due to the Tribe’s commitment to community service.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in social services, human services, behavioral sciences, or a closely related field.
• Three years of experience providing professional casework management to families and children.
• Three years of experience working with Native American populations.
• Must pass Muckleshoot Tribal (MIT) criminal background check and drug screen.
• Completion of Washington State Department of Social and Health Services form to pass a criminal background check, which may include fingerprinting.
• Completion of a psychiatric evaluation and assessment test.
• Current and valid Washington State driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPR-First Aid certification.
• HIV-AIDS Training/Certificate.
• De-escalation Training/Certificate.

Skills

• Crisis intervention and client advocacy.
• Strong oral and written communication.
• Ability to manage a large caseload efficiently and effectively.
• Professional cooperation and collaboration with others.
• Organization and time-management.
• Proficiency in operating standard office equipment, including personal computers and software.

Knowledge

• Professional social casework principles, methodology, and ethics.
• Human psychosocial development within the context of family, community, and culture.
• Principles of child development and techniques for facilitating client motivation.
• Health and social issues impacting client and community well-being.
• Risk assessment, decision-making, and intake processes.
• Current practices of child welfare, systems theory, and social welfare policy.
• Native American history and culture.

Abilities

• Serve as an expert representative in court proceedings and multidisciplinary team service delivery.
• Maintain confidentiality in all aspects of the role.
• Sustain well-being in a challenging field of duty.
• Develop case plans with realistic and attainable goals.
• Recognize and identify treatment for risk indicators and establish problem-solving approaches.
• Establish and maintain working relationships with clients, staff, agencies, and the public.
• Write effective and comprehensive case histories and related reports.

Physical Demands

• Frequently required to sit and talk or hear.
• Occasionally required to walk, climb stairs, use hands to operate objects or tools, and reach with hands and arms.
• Must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Requires close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• Moderate noise level in the work environment.