Juvenile Court Officer Job Lansing area,Michigan USA,Social Work

Juvenile Court Officer

A Juvenile Court Officer's responsibilities are: to investigate and prepare written documentation and recommendations for the Court; establish, implement and monitor treatment programs; and supervise and counsel assigned minors and their families. The Juvenile Court Officer serves as a liaison between various professionals and agencies providing treatment services.

Essential Functions

The essential functions of a Juvenile Court Officer include:

Conducting investigations on delinquent, neglect, adoption, truancy or emancipation cases initiated on apprehension and/or referral to the Court in order to develop a social history, make observations on the family situation, and develop a case plan and recommendations for each case using approved evaluation tools.

Analyzing case histories, observations, other available information and doing a factual investigation of actual charges to determine the problem behavior regarding the child and the parents, and making recommendations on a treatment program designed to ameliorate or eliminate the problem.

Being immediately responsible for the minor's custody or physical placement as soon as a minor enters the Court system. Recommending appropriate changes of placement to the Judge or referee. Setting up and monitoring all visitations.

Providing supervision and counseling of minors and parents regarding family problems and conflicts by conducting weekly face-to-face contacts. These contacts require JCOs to use a structured approach and apply effective intervention practices that are based on cognitive behavioral treatment, social skills training, mindfulness, parenting skills and goal setting. Training and accuracy to adhere to these principles are required and fidelity is monitored by a Juvenile Risk Assessment team member.

Preparing comprehensive investigation and hearing reports. Testifying regarding the facts of the charge(s) and making recommendations to the Judge or referee ending all hearings of assigned minors and parents, both contested and non-contested Preliminary Hearings, Pre-Trial Hearings, Dispositional Hearings, Show-Cause Hearings, and Case Reviews.

Monitoring regular visitations of minors and parents and assessing their academic and Court ordered treatment program's progress. Coordinating program efforts with staff to assure physical and emotional needs are met.

Arranging for clothing, medical mental health, and dental care of clients including transportation.

Maintaining regular contacts with other agencies such as schools, police, public and private social agencies who may have involvement, and visiting delinquent minors at the Ingham County Youth Center, Ingham County Jail, or other correctional and youth detention centers as necessary.

Maintaining a current log of all contacts and keeping case files up-to-date. Preparing a variety of petitions regarding assigned cases. Also serving legal papers such as court orders and summons.

Transportation duties include physically transporting clients and/or their families to court facilities, appointments, hearings, community service assignments, institutions or other such places deemed necessary.

Attending regularly scheduled staff meetings and in-service training sessions.

Supervising and evaluating student interns performing field work responsibilities at the Court. Completing all necessary evaluations and paperwork to assess progress.

Using independent judgment to screen clients for appropriate treatment programs such as Intensive Probation Services, Michigan State University Mentor Program, Intensive Neglect Services, Horizon Program, Specialty Courts, and various community services agencies.

Monitoring progress towards Court ordered goals and determining consequences for violating program guidelines or requirements. Consequences can include but are not limited to; community service, tether, request for detention for delinquent youth, or petition for Emergency Removal for neglect parents.

Using independent judgment in unusual and crisis situations as it relates to neglect and delinquent children and families. Including screening clients for mental health intervention and preliminary safety planning. May be required to physically restrain aggressive and/or hostile clients using approved crisis intervention skills.

Complying with Victim Rights laws, contacts and restitution negotiation, and collection. Contacts victims to establish appropriate restitution and/or community service for delinquent minor. Will make this recommendation in court.

Co-leading support groups for target populations providing intensive intervention and rehabilitation and assisting other community service agencies.

Organizing and facilitating programming for youth including Summer Enrichment Programs for Court wards, and special event programs.

Administering and witnessing urinalysis screens, Preliminary Breath Tests (PBTS) and mouth swab screens on adult and youth clientele. Arranging for and monitoring alcohol measuring devices on…