Social Worker - Child Protection Specialist

Under direct supervision of the Child and Family Services Supervisor, this position supports the mission of Blue Earth County Human Services by effectively and efficiently delivering essential services to families and individuals so they can achieve their potential through active community participation. The Social Worker – Child Protection Specialist, provides child protection case management to ensure the safety and protection of children throughout the community, provides credible testimony in court, and participates in regular contact with children and parents.

This position also enhances agency revenue, provides documentation to establish professional accountability, performs guardianship duties, provides on‑call services, and participates in professional staff development.

• Provides child protection case management. Assesses family needs based on evaluation observation to identify strengths and specific areas which need development. Writes child protection services plan and obtains signatures to resolve concerns which have hampered effective parenting. Ensures awareness by all essential parties (including the family, legal representatives, guardian ad litem, judge, school system, and other providers) of child protective services plan and gains their support.
  
  Assists parents with the implementation of the child protective services plan through encouragement, reminders, and assistance in overcoming barriers (cost, transportation, child care, etc.) to plan completion.
• Provides credible testimony in court. Works with the County Attorney’s Office to prepare for hearings and cases. Attends and testifies in court proceedings. Represents the interests of the county, state, and federal government. Makes a verbal account for observations, actions, and findings while performing official duties.
• Participates in regular contact with children and parents. Completes at least monthly visits with all children and parents on the caseload and documents accordingly. Coordinates services with school, foster parents, other providers, and relatives. Completes structured decision‑making tools as required. Consults with County Attorney and others for removal, trial home visit, case closure recommendations. Communicates visitation needs to Case Aide.
• Enhances agency revenue. Utilizes all revenue sources to gain payment for services, including private insurance, MA, CW‑TCM, social security, child support, or other legitimate revenue sources. Analyzes each open case to determine the revenue source(s) applicable and appropriate to provide reimbursement for child protection services provided. Assists as necessary to complete application process and utilizes identified funding sources. Bills all applicable service hours/units.
• Provides documentation to establish professional accountability. Knows, understands, and provides child protective services according to laws, rules, and local agency expectations. Completes and includes all relevant documents (letters, reports, case plans, court orders, test results, social service forms, narrative, etc.) in case file. Maintains an orderly and organizes case file. Ensures complete and accurate documentation, which meets program requirements. Maintains accurate case records and state and local forms as needed.
• Performs guardianship duties. Acts as guardian for children who have been declared wards of the State.
• Participates in community relations and customer service activities. Attends community meetings and work groups. Participates in interagency screenings and makes referrals. Provides community education as requested.
• Promotes a diverse, culturally competent, and respectful workplace.
• Engages positively with both internal and external customers. Communicates and interacts effectively and respectfully with colleagues, supervisors, representatives from other organizations, and the public.
• Performs the physical and mental demands of the position.
• Attends work during regularly scheduled hours.

• Participates as a member of the Family Dependency Treatment Court Team. As applicable, contributes child protection experience and expertise to the FDTC…