Family Services Specialist- CPS

Overview

Family Services Specialist- CPS at City of Danville, VA.

• Provide services to families and/or child/children by assessing the needs of the families; making referrals to community partners; monitoring compliance with services within the home and the community; attending meetings and hearings; assisting clients with home placements as needed and with 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 homes through announced and unannounced visits; making referrals as needed; maintaining case documentation.
• Facilitate family engagement meetings with families; participate in emergency management and on-call duties.
• When Assigned to Social Services - Child Protective Services: Investigate and assess child abuse and neglect cases by conducting home and school visits; conduct criminal background checks on family members; schedule mental health appointments; interact with hospital for medical and forensic information; conduct drug screens; actively participate in all proceedings at local or state level courts; document all client interactions and interactions with other professionals by preparing affidavits, creating safety and case plans, completing documents for referrals, and obtaining release of information forms;
  
  provide home studies, training to raise awareness and educate the community about abuse; participate in 24-hour on-call services; conduct CPS and service intake by searching databases for previous CPS or criminal history, assess calls pertaining to children, and complete paperwork for rental assistance, food vouchers and other services; provide ongoing services by monitoring families at risk and making referrals for mental health support and placement;
  
  transport children to residential placements; offer recommendations to caretakers regarding parenting; ensure protection of children by interacting with attorneys and court officials and providing information for court filings.
• When Assigned to Social Services - Childcare: Schedule and conduct interviews; review history; evaluate client resources; determine needs; involve client in service planning; prepare client to utilize service plan; set goals; conduct case redetermination; explain use of child care cards; authorize purchases; coordinate with Head Start, community Action, Health Dept. and other state agencies; maintain and organize case records; monitor systems (Virginia Child Care Management System, EPPIC, SPIDER, ADAPT, Common Help) and ensure documentation for audits;
  
  maintain client contact regularly and update service plans; authorize payments as needed; train and supervise vendors in CPR/First Aid; provide related skills training and make referrals as appropriate; monitor vendor relations and resolve disputes; participate in trainings, community collaborations, and boards; gather information for fraud investigations; manage waiting lists for funding.
• When Assigned to Social Services – Foster Care Prevention Unit: Assess families and children’s strengths and needs; develop service plans; conduct home visits; attend court and provide sworn testimony; make referrals for counseling; advocate for families; attend IEP meetings; provide crisis intervention; offer supportive services to at-risk families.
• When Assigned to Social Services - Court-Ordered Home Studies: Conduct home studies by interviewing parties, gathering information, reviewing records, researching criminal history, and preparing reports for court; schedule and deliver reports to the court; interview all involved parties about safety and stability; assist with referrals to community resources and complete related administrative duties.
• When Assigned to Social Services – Foster Care Unit: Provide case management, support, and services; conduct home visits; attend court and provide testimony; refer for counseling and in-home services; advocate for children in school and community; monitor homes, school performance, discipline, and attendance; coordinate and supervise visits; prepare home studies for…