Family Services Specialist- CPS

Salary: $43,297.60 - $45,462.48 Annually
Location : Social Services Building, 510 Patton Street, Danville, VA 24541, VA
Job Type: Full Time Non Exempt Salary
Job Number: 1002330
Department: Social Services
Division: Social Services
Opening Date: 12/11/2024
Closing Date: Continuous


Description
Provide services to families and/or child/children who reside in the City of Danville, by assessing the needs of the families; making referrals to the community partners; monitoring the compliance with services within the home and the community; attending meetings, hearings, assisting clients with home placements as needed as well as Child Care needs; providing crisis assistance; attending court proceedings to testify and complete court ordered documents; providing transportation to appointments in town and out of town; monitoring home through announced and unannounced visits; making referrals as needed; maintaining case documentation. Other duties include facilitating family engagement meetings with families; emergency management and on-call duties. The Child Care worker is also responsible for training of vendors for CPR/First Aid.

The essential functions of the job are not limited to those listed in the job description. The City retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.

When Assigned to Social Services - Child Protective Services:

• Investigates and assesses child abuse and neglect cases by conducting home and school visits; conducting criminal background checks on family members; scheduling mental health appointments; interacting with hospital for medical and forensic information; conducting drug screens; and actively participating in all proceedings at the local or state level courts.
• Documents all client interactions and interactions with other professionals by preparing affidavits to be turned into court; creating safety and case plans; completing documents for child and adult referrals; and obtaining release of information forms.
• Provides other functions such as home studies, training to raise awareness and educate community about abuse.
• Participates in 24 hour on-call services.
• Conducts CPS and Service intake by searching database for previous CPS or criminal history of family members; assessing calls pertaining to child(ren); and completing paperwork for rental assistance, food vouchers and other services.
• Provides ongoing services by monitoring families at risk for further child abuse/neglect; making referrals for mental health support and placement; transporting children to residential placements; and offering recommendations to caretakers regarding parenting.
• Ensures protection of child(ren) by interacting with attorneys and court officials; gathering information to build a case of abuse/neglect; and making suggestions to the court that pertain to child safety.

When Assigned to Social Services - Childcare:

• Schedules and conducts interviews, by reviewing additional history, completing narrative, evaluating information of client's resources, determining current and future needs, identifying needs of client, completing forms, involving client in service planning process, preparing client to utilize service plan, and setting appropriate goals. Conducts case redetermination. Instructs client how to properly use the child care card, authorizes purchase orders/payment, provides service to clients with unusual circumstances, contacts employers, and contact community partners (Head Start, community Action, Health Dept. and other State Agencies).
• Organizes, case records, monitors incoming cases on Common Help, maintains case records to ensure documentation of chronological history and completes necessary reporting and record keeping requirements. Regularly monitors and updates Virginia Child Care Management System, EPPIC, SPIDER, ADAPT, Common Help, and other systems as needed. Maintains regular contact with clients within a quarter, redetermination of eligibility completed yearly, updates Service Plans, completes authorizations for payment, and prepares records for State review and audits.
• Regularly maintains person to person contact with vendors. Trains vendors (CPR/First Aid), provides skills training for providers in age appropriate groups and special needs areas, and makes referrals to other agencies for required training when needed. Counsels vendors. Makes referral to State agencies for approval and updates, maintains close contact with Virginia Child Care Licensing, Child Care Aware of Virginia. Monitors Electronic Payment Processing and Information Control System in order to review child attendance, child care payments, card history. Reissues child care cards. Troubleshoots and mediates disputes between vendors and clients.
• Participates in mandated trainings, community collaborations, State and Local committees and boards, Court and appeal hearings. Gathers information for investigation of fraud cases. Maintains ongoing waiting list when money is not available for child care program and dispute resolutions.

When Assigned to Social Services - Foster Care Prevention Unit:

• Assesses families and child(ren)'s strengths and needs and develops a service plan to address the needs of the child & family; making home visits announced or unannounced; attending Court Proceedings and providing sworn testimony to the court; making referrals for counseling; serving as an advocate for families and children; attending IEP Meetings; providing crisis intervention; provide supportive services to families with at-risk child/children.
• Provides administrative duties by having client sign service application; documenting all information; completing referral for FAPT funding of services; completing any letter or correspondence for court; completing referrals for services; and closing files when services are completed; enters case information into state tracking system of OASIS.
• Provides complete court ordered home studies by contacting all clients and scheduling time to meet to begin home study process; gathering information for report; researching criminal background; completing home study and submitting it to the court; and contacting the court date to find out the outcome.
• Provides transportation by transporting clients to appointment; and transporting guardian and clients to out of town placements to residential facilities.

When Assigned to Social Services - Court-Ordered Home Studies:

• Assesses report and provides case management to individuals concerning custody disputes of child/children, which may ultimately affect parent-child relationship through a written comprehensive social study. The case management service to families and child/children is delivered in accordance with State and Local rules and regulations evaluating and focusing on the best interests of child or children and to complete an impartial and comprehensive evaluation for the benefit of providing recommendations to the court regarding custody. The report is submitted to the court of jurisdiction for disposition of the case. Interviews with all parties, involving child/children involved in the custody/visitation dispute must be interviewed and assessed as to their ability to provide safety and stability to the child/children, while focusing on the child/children's best interest.
• Assists clients in referrals to community resources including counseling, psychological evaluations, school meetings, and other community sites. Obtain school records, medical reports, references in regards to parent and child/children.
• Performs administrative duties by documenting all contacts with clients or referral sources; preparing Case Action forms for payment of services and crisis intervention items; typing correspondence to court personnel, clients, and referral sources; monthly time sheets and activity reports.
• Performs on-call duty at least two times per year.

When Assigned to Social Services - Foster Care Unit:

• Provides case management, support and services by developing service plans to meet the needs of specific families; making regular home visits; attending court and providing testimony or information as requested; making referrals for counseling, intensive in-home services, job readiness programs, independent living programs, etc.; advocating for child/children in school and in the community; attending various related meetings; assisting parents and guardians in placing child/children in residential facilities as needed; monitoring home environments, school achievement, discipline and attendance; assisting families with crisis when needed; performing drug tests; and supervising visitation between family members and child/children.
• Prepares home studies for the court by contacting and visiting all parties listed on court order; gathering information from home visits for the study; gaining and contacting references given by families; researching criminal histories; contacting schools to gain attendance, grade, and discipline records; and delivering and distributing completed study to Clerk of Court's office.
• Assists clients in transportation by transporting clients to medical appointments, counseling, psychological evaluations, school meetings, and community worksites, among others; providing alternative transportation to child/children if they miss their ride to school; and facilitating family's presence at court hearings, counseling sessions, or out-of-town residential facilities.
• Performs administrative duties by documenting all contacts with clients or referral sources; preparing Case Action forms for payment of services and crisis intervention items; typing correspondence to court personnel, clients, and referral sources; and preparing funding requests for FAPT Team as well as monthly time sheets and activity reports.
• Assess needs by making home visits or meeting with parents; talking with child/children, family members, and school personnel; making referrals for parenting assessments and/or psychological evaluations; and distributing necessary forms for service to appropriate parent or guardian.

When Assigned to Social Services - Resource Families:

• Assesses individuals for approval as a kinship care, respite, foster and/or adoptive provider. This position requires the employee to possess knowledge and skills to interpret and apply local, state and federal laws, policy, and procedures. The position requires the ability to conduct structured interviews, review and compile information gathered from interviews, assess training, supported documentation into comprehensive, detailed reports; create and maintain provider's files.
• Provides the community information regarding the services the agency offers, the needs of our community in regards to foster and adoption and the assessment process to become an approved provider, by answering questions and requests of the public regarding foster/adopt process; distributing foster care awareness information throughout the community; participating in community awareness events; conducting bi-monthly orientation meetings for prospective families.
• Provides ongoing support to approved providers/ child/children's family services worker; maintaining quarterly contact with providers or more frequently as needed; addressing concerns of providers and locating appropriate community resources as needed. Monitors approval status of providers; assesses the ongoing training needs of providers; completes contingency claims for property damage caused by foster child/children; maintains foster care/adoption lending library; facilitates or co-facilitates support groups; acknowledges providers during holidays with card and/or calls; acts as liaison between the provider and the child/children's worker; works with the child/children's worker to resolve issues with the provider in regard to conflicts with child/children or state standards/regulations; participates in family engagement meetings and placement staffing; coordinates foster home placements; supervises child/family visits.
• Plans and implements training and respite care programs through completing annual application packages for training and respite care programs; maintaining budgets/data for training and respite care programs; purchasing supplies/resources for training program; reviewing and developing training material (handouts, newsletters, etc.); coordinating and conducting individual and group trainings. Types, prints and collates training materials and all provider correspondence.
• Submits semi-annual report to Virginia Department of Social Services; maintains professional technical knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications establishing personal networks and collaboration with other agencies.

When Assigned to Social Services - Adult Services:

• Provides case management, support and services by developing service plans to meet the needs of specific adults; making regular home visits; attending court and providing testimony or information as requested; making referrals for counseling, intensive in-home services, etc.; advocating for incapacitated and elderly adults in the community; attending various related meetings; transporting adults to needed services; assisting families/ guardians in placing adults in residential facilities as needed; monitoring home environments, adult adjustment to new home environment: assisting adults with crisis when needed; and developing support systems for adults either within the community or family.
• Makes initial contacts via phone calls, faxes and walk-ins. Coordinate with the Health Dept RN to schedule home visits for nursing home preadmission screenings; complete 12- page assessment to determine criteria for community based, in home care or nursing home placement; assessment for assisted living based on level of care. Documentation in the Adult Protective Services Program; gathering information from home visits for the study; gaining and contacting community entities to develop Adult Protective Services dispositions and services appropriate to the client's need in the most restrictive manner.
• Assists clients in transportation by transporting clients to medical appointments, counseling, psychological evaluations, school meetings, and community worksites, among others; and facilitating family's presence at court hearings, counseling sessions, and facilities.
• Performs administrative duties by documenting all contacts with clients or referral sources; preparing Case Action forms for payment of services and crisis intervention items; typing correspondence to clients, and referral sources; and preparing monthly invoices for companion services, as well as monthly time sheets and activity reports.
• Assesses needs by making home visits or meeting with the adults; talking with the adult, family members, researching criminal histories to determine approval of home-based care providers (companion providers). Contacts approved companion providers to determine if standards are met. Prepares information for guardian court hearings or emergency involuntary APS.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

• Performs additional duties as assigned.

Education and Experience
Bachelor's Degree in a Human Services field. No experience required.


An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of the specific requirements listed above


Certifications/Licenses

• Valid Driver's License with acceptable driving record according to City Criteria

Job Knowledge
Basic familiarity with the work to know common principles and terminology and to understand and solve simple problems.


Reading
Advanced: Ability to read literature, books, reviews, scientific or technical journals, abstracts, financial reports, and/or legal documents.


Writing
Intermediate: Ability to write reports, prepare business letters, expositions, and summaries with proper format, punctuation, spelling, and grammar, using all parts of speech.


Math
Intermediate: Ability to deal with a system of real numbers; and practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios/proportions and measurement.


Communication Skills
Decisions regarding interpretation of existing policies may be made. Contacts may involve stressful, negative interactions requiring high levels of tact and the ability to respond to aggressive interpersonal interactions. Elements of persuasion may be necessary to gain cooperation and acceptance of ideas.


Independence and Decision-Making
Normally performs the duty assignment according to his or her own judgment, requesting supervisory assistance only when necessary. Special projects are managed with little oversight and assignments may be reviewed upon completion. Performance reviewed periodically.


Technical Skills
Work requires a comprehensive, practical knowledge of a technical field with use of analytical judgment and decision-making abilities appropriate to the work environment of the organization.


Fiscal Responsibilities
No budgetary/fiscal responsibility.


Supervisory Responsibilities
No responsibility for direction or supervision of others.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Work is sedentary in nature, requiring occasional light physical exertion. Requires adequate vision, hearing and talking to use a computer, telephone and communicating effectively with others.


NON-PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment, tools and other resources, including work time.
• Regular and predictable attendance is expected.
• May frequently experience time pressure, change or tasks, performing multiple tasks simultaneously, and working closely with others as part of a team.
• May occasionally experience emergency situations, irregular work schedule/overtime, and tedious or exacting work.
• May rarely experience noisy/distracting environment.

MACHINES, TOOLS, EQUIPMENT, SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE
Typically requires use of standard office equipment, including computer and related hardware and software, and any other equipment as appropriate or required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work is typically performed in an office environment with rare exposure to physical danger or abuse,

The employee is expected to use appropriate protective equipment for the assigned task; and any other equipment as apparent or assigned.
Accident Insurance
The City provides optional off the job accident insurance through Allstate. This insurance provides reimbursement for treatments associated with a wide array of accidents and injuries, and is available for immediate family members. Premiums are paid entirely by the employee through payroll deduction.

Annual Leave
Employees accrue annual leave hours based on the length of time they work for the City and their duty cycle. Hours are accrued on a semi monthly pay cycle. Employees are not eligible to use annual leave hours during their first six months of employment.

Critical Illness
The City provides optional critical illness insurance through Allstate. This insurance provides a lump sum benefit payment if an employee is diagnosed with a covered illness. Examples include heart attack, stroke, coronary atery by-pass surgery, and so on. Premiums are based on age and tobacco use. Premiums are paid entirely by the employee through payroll deduction.

Cancer Benefit

The City provides optional cancer insurance through Allstate. This insurance provides a benefit payment if an employee is diagnosed with cancer and provides a benefit during cancer treatments. Premiums are paid entirely by the employee through payroll deduction.
Deferred Compensation

The City of Danville offers a 457 plan to employees, which provides an opportunity to set aside a portion of your salary for retirement. Income taxes are not paid on the money your defer until you retire and start using it or leave the City. Enrollment in this plan is optional.

Dental Insurance
Employees have the opportunity to enroll in dental insurance through Delta Dental.There is an option of a Low PPO plan or a High PPO plan, and coverage is available for immediate family members. Employees pay the entire premium for this insurance through payroll deduction.

Direct Deposit
Employees have the option of having their paycheck directly deposited into your financial checking and/or savings account each pay period. Employees may select up to three accounts at the same or different financial institutions for direct deposit.

Disability Insurance
Employees are given the option of selecting Short-term and/or Long-term disability insurance programs through The Standard for protection in the event that they become disabled through a non-work related injury. Premiums are paid entirely by the employee through payroll deduction.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Employees and their dependent family members are eligible to use the City of Danville's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with Sentara Health. The EAP offers free and confidential counseling services to help employees and their dependants deal with serious problems in their lives such as family or marital disputes, problems with alcohol and/or drug abuse, emotional illness, financial or legal worries, or difficulties with stress on the job. In addition to counseling services, the EAP also provides free legal, financial, and Identity Theft guidance.


Employee Health and Wellness Center
Employees and eligible dependents have access to the CareTeam Health and Wellness Center, which offers high-quality convenient medical care for an extremely low cost- sometimes it is free! City employees have dedicated nurse practitioners that provides primary care, lab services, chronic disease management, health and wellness coaching, and a variety of other things.


Flexible Spending Account
Employees have the option of participating in the flexible spending account (FSA). The FSA allows employees to select a set amount of money to be withheld from their paychecks each pay period for a year to cover certain medical and child care expenses. This money is deducted before taxes are calculated. Money put into the FSA is accessible to the employee through a debit card or through reimbursement.

Health Insurance
The City of Danville is self-insured and offers medical and prescription drug coverage through Gateway Health. This coverage is offered to employees and their dependents. The City pays a portion of the health insurance premiums and the employee pays a portion. Employees have the choice between a traditional PPO plan and two high deductible plans (HDHP). HDHP have an option to enroll in a Health Savings Account (HSA).

Holidays
The City of Danville offers the following paid holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, 1/2 day Day before Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve Day, Christmas Day, Easter Monday, George Washington Day, Columbus Day, Veteran's Day, and Your Birthday

Retirement System
After five years of employment with the City of Danville, employees are vested in the City's Employees' Retirement System (ERS). ERS is a defined benefit retirement plan with the purpose of providing retirement, disability, and death-in-service benefits. Contributions by employee are mandatory.

Sick Leave

Sick leave is a privilege granted to all full-time employees. Sick leave is accrued on a semi monthly basis.


Term Life Insurance
The City of Danville offers optional group term life insurance benefits to employees through The Standard. The amount of death benefit is the employee's annual salary doubled and rounded to the next highest $1,000 up to a maximum of $200,000. Double indemnity (twice the death benefit) is provided for death by accident. The cost of this benefit is divided equally between the City and the employee, which means that the City pays one-half of the premium and the employee pays one-half of the premium.

Tuition Reimbursement
The City of Danville recognizes the value of educational training, and therefore, provides limited financial reimbursement to employees taking eligible course on their own time. Employees are eligible for tuition reimbursement after their first six months of employment.


Vision Insurance
Employees have the option of enrolling in vision insurance through BlueView Vision. Coverage is available for immediate family members. Employees pay the entire premium for this insurance through payroll deduction.

Universal Life Insurance
The City offers optional universal life insurance benefits to employees through Allstate. Employees can select a benefit amount. Premiums are based on an employee's age and tobacco use. Coverage can be selected for an employee's spouse and children.