Caseworker CYA

$51,573.68 - $75,020.17

Our full-time positions come with an array of excellent benefits including comprehensive healthcare coverage, a pension plan, flexible spending accounts and even a tuition reimbursement program.

At Lancaster County, we understand the importance of work-life balance. That's why we offer paid time off for sick, vacation and holidays, an employee assistance program, and family medical leave.

• This is a casework position with the Permanency department of the Lancaster County Children and Youth Social Service Agency.
• The caseworker will be responsible for adoption preparation of children in Agency foster care, and adoption finalization for children who are adopted by resource parents.
• The employee will search for adoptive families using Agency Resource Parents, the Statewide Adoption Network (SWAN), and by collaborating with other outside agencies.
• This position will require extensive collaboration with adoptive parents, adoptees, biological families, Agency resource parents, SWAN, and other outside agencies who provide adoption resources and services to children in the Agency’s care.

• The caseworker reports directly to the immediate supervisor of the unit.

• Work will be performed in such a manner that the safety of children in reported families will be assured and timely, accurate assessments are completed and appropriate community or Agency referrals will be made.
• Caseworker will complete the National Adoption Competency Mental Health Training Initiative (NTI) to develop an understanding of the unique issues presenting in children being adopted and how to work with them, their adoptive parents, and mental health professionals.
• Assess the ongoing safety of the children in Agency custody on a routine basis.
• Develop and implement safety plans for children in Agency custody as necessitated by the safety assessment of the child and the family.
• Evaluate the quality of care provided to children in Agency custody by conducting regular visits to the placement setting of each child. During these visits the child’s placement will be assessed to determine whether appropriate care and services are being provided to the child and to determine the ongoing safety and well-being of the child in this setting. The relationship between the child and caregiver will also be assessed to ensure that this is the most appropriate ongoing placement for the child.
  
  Any issues noted during these visits will be addressed in an appropriate manner and the Resource unit or provider agency will be notified of all concerns.
• Prepare court review petitions for children whose adoptions have not yet been finalized.
• Routinely provide own transportation to and from client’s homes, meetings, outreach visits and other job-related appointments in a timely manner and be able to access those locations with reasonable accommodations.
• Maintain quality records and perform routine paperwork in a timely manner. Ensure records will pass DPW audit.
• Participate in Agency training, staff meetings and unit meetings; will attend additional approved trainings to ensure a total training time of no less than 20 hours per year.
• Coordinate services for children through the Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network.
• Participate in events through SWAN, including matching events, as needed to perform other job functions.
• Participate in collaborative discussions at the Permanency Planning Committee to determine if child will remain in the resource home for adoption. Locate adoptive resources for the child through registration of the child on various adoption exchanges and by collaborating with other agencies to locate adoptive families.
• Participate in the…