Local Permanency Specialist

Position Function

The Local Permanency Specialist (LPS) is legally responsible for providing courtesy services/secondary casework to abused and neglected children who are in relative placements, foster homes, residential treatment facilities, independent living programs, and young adults who are participating in extended foster care in Region 3B. The specialist interacts routinely with Texas Department of Family & Protective Services staff, clients, contract providers, civil and criminal court personnel along with community representatives, CASA, etc.

The Local Permanency Specialist monitors the child’s overall wellbeing while in care. They work closely with parents, extended family, and legal parties to help secure and maintain a permanent and safe place for the children to live. Additionally, the specialist is responsible for:
Completing monthly, announced and unannounced, contact with children in the conservatorship of DFPS who are placed in Region 3B, entering documentation in IMPACT, attending monthly medication reviews for children placed in residential treatment settings, assisting primary workers with family visits and subsequent placement moves as needed. LPS will assure the child's needs are being met appropriately by the authorize caregiver and/or facility staff.

LPS will also provide the primary worker with written information of any meeting/staffing and provide information to assist in the completion of the child's plan of service, common application and court report. LPS will facilitate parent and/ or sibling visitation as needed.

Position includes interaction with parents, guardians, and conservators as well as with youth with behavioral problems, including possible physical aggression. A personal vehicle is required for travel.

The Local Permanency Specialist will have access to confidential records including youth files, foster care and adoption records, and foster parent information. Must maintain confidentiality and follow policies related to personnel records and client records.

• Provides time limited services to meet the specific needs of children in substitute care and their placement providers by identifying problem areas, assisting the primary worker in the development of treatment plans, and using appropriate and necessary resources to minimize risk and provide for safety of the child; and maintains contact with caregivers and children through home visits in order to achieve treatment goals.
• Assists the primary worker with appropriate legal action by preparing affidavits and other documents as needed for court related activities.
• Enters contact, documentation information and narratives into the Information Management Protecting Adults and Children System within required agency time frames.
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships between Child Protective Services staff and law enforcement officials, judicial officials, legal resources, medical professionals, and other community resources. Works closely with Kinship Development staff to provide and/or make referrals for services not provided thorough foster care system. Works closely with educational service providers and CPS Educational Specialist.
• Maintain high ethical standards which are outlined in the ACH Child and Family Services Code of Ethics.
• A commitment to empowering others to solve their problems.
• Value a nurturing family as the ideal environment for a person.
• A conviction about the capacity of people to grow and change.
• The ability to establish a respectful relationship with persons served to help them gain skills and confidence.
• The ability to work collaboratively with other personnel and/or service providers and professionals.
• The capacity to maintain a helping role and to intervene appropriately to meet service goals.
• The ability to set appropriate limits.
• Performs other duties as assigned and required to maintain unit operations.
• Attends work regularly in accordance with agency leave policy.

• Receives cases from investigators after children from their homes are placed in CPS conservatorship and placed in…