Prevention Partner; Community Development and Prevention161900

Community Development & Prevention Partner

Adams County Human Services Department builds strong communities by promoting the safety, independence and stability of individuals and families. Adams County uses a 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, 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.

Adams County has an opening for a Community Development & Prevention Partner position working for the Children, Youth and Families Division. The Children, Youth and Families Division provides protective services to children, as well as foster care, adoption, adolescent services, therapeutic treatment and other community services that help create strong, effective families. The Community Development & Prevention Partner develops community connections to create sustainable commitment to system improvement, strategic planning and community improvements as they relate to community needs, specifically the need for child protective services. Such partners will include, but are not limited to school districts, the judicial system, law enforcement, medical and behavioral health providers and other community partners with the goal of decreasing the need for protective service system involvement and enhancing community partnerships.

This position exists to improve their collaboration with community partners and to contribute towards improved agency practice and outcomes with the children and families including reducing recurrence/recidivism.

Adams County Children and Family Services Guiding Principles We believe in treating everyone with dignity and respect, valuing their input, and striving to do no harm. Honoring all people's unique expertise and perspectives includes collaboration, shared decision making, and providing a safe environment. The best interest of children, families, and our community will always inform our approach, perspectives, and decisions. Children and youth belong in families and have a right to sibling, family, and community connections. Families have the inherent capacity to safely care for their children. We hold ourselves and our system accountable to each other, our families, and our community.

Hiring Range = $64,277.61 - $72,930.36/Full Range = $61,805.39 - $89,617.82

Examples of Duties for Success

• Participates in the development and implementation of comprehensive planning and community development programs and services to respond to families in need with intent to prevent abuse and neglect.
• Manages a caseload of both internal screened-out referrals and referrals directly from the community.
• Manages a caseload of Program Area 3 cases where CORE services have been accessed to meet the needs of children and families to prevent child welfare involvement and/or abuse/neglect.
• Participates in developing, implementing and monitoring short and long-term plans, goals and objectives focused on achieving the Division's mission, goals and priorities; direct the development of and monitors performance of community partners.
• Represents the Department of Human Services and the Division of Children, Youth and Family at relevant meetings; informs and advises these groups, as well as the Prevention Manager and Division Director, on local and regional community development and infrastructure planning issues.
• Presents Department and Division information to community constituents and citizen-facing committees, commissions and other forums including presentations on special projects and community and program planning to increase understanding of the child protection system and opportunities to respond to and assist families in a community-based manner that serves to prevent abuse and neglect.
• Analyzes data resources with respect to recurrence and recidivism in the child and adult protective system and participates in the design and implementation of effective strategies to positively impact such.
• Contacts community resources, such as schools, law enforcement and medical personnel to obtain additional information, coordinate services, or secure their assistance.
• Participates in staffings with school, mental health facilities, child protection review teams, and other professionals involved with the family members.
• Serves as information and referral source to other Children Youth and Families employees and to the public.
• Coordinate and/or facilitate meetings with families and community partners to develop support or response plans.
• Demonstrate a thorough knowledge and understanding of social casework principles, concepts and ethics by using a strength-based and solution focused practice.
• Independently analyze complex situations, formulate plans and make quick decisions as needed.
• Practice strategies that result in effective engagement of community partners and families. Mediate difficult interactions between parties.
• Participates in a variety of ancillary assignments, projects, tasks, duties as needed.

Qualifications for Success

• Ability to build relationships and help others learn
• Ability to model best practice skills and philosophy in the field
• Ability to provide feedback and facilitate reflection including helping staff increase self- awareness in regard to strengths and areas for improvement
• Ability to manage complex and sometimes conflicting situations.
• Ability to provide feedback in a respectful and sometimes challenging and probing manner while maintaining and objective, non-judgmental stance
• Strong ability to multitask.
• Knowledge of strength-based, solution-focused practice including appreciative inquiry, cultural humility
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Ability to maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with internal and external partners.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member.
• Ability to deliver effective customer service and communication skills in a professional manner with a diverse client base, some of whom may be or become angry, difficult and/or distressed.
• Ability to work under stressful conditions in a professional manner in a high-volume environment.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from 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.

More Qualifications for Success

• Experience: Professional, internship, or volunteer work experience in a human services related agency.
• Education and Training: A bachelor's degree from a higher education institution with course work related to the job responsibilities of child welfare social caseworker. Course work examples can include and are not limited to, the development of human behavior, child development, family intervention techniques, diagnostic measures, or therapeutic techniques.
• An educational waiver is available for those individuals who do not meet the education requirements to be a social caseworker and are currently enrolled in a bachelor's program from a higher education institute. A bachelor's degree must be obtained within one (1) year from hire date with related coursework to job duties as outlined in 7.603.1 (Click here for more info). If a degree is not obtained within one (1) year from hire date, employment with the agency may be impacted including, and up to termination. Employee will be responsible for updating the hiring manager every six (6) months of their education progress.
• License or Certificate: Colorado Child Welfare Caseworker certification required and must be completed within three (3) months of employment, through the Colorado Child Welfare Training System (CWTS).
• Possession of a valid Driver's License and proof of automotive insurance.
• Background Check: Must pass a criminal background check.

Ability to obtain, maintain, and ensure continued access to State and County systems in strict compliance with all applicable county and state regulations, policies, and user agreements. Essential duties require the following physical abilities and work environment: Ability to work in a standard office environment. Job requires an estimate of 50% community work and 50% paperwork. Ability to utilize personal vehicle or other modes of transportation to make visits to clients' homes, travel to court, and other public facilities in all types of weather, and at night as needed, throughout the State of Colorado. Ability to lift and carry (1-50 lbs.) infants and small children in the care and custody of the County. Ability to install car seats and transport children. Ability to utilize the full scope of visual capacity to perform job tasks. Ability to conduct home visits in unknown and uncontrolled settings, which may include stairs, rough ground terrain, vicious animals, feces, airborne contaminants (illegal substances), gang members, weapons, and other environmental hazards (bed bugs/lice).