Govt. ACFS Family Services Specialist - Child Welfare

POSITION SUMMARY

The ACFS Family Services Specialist, under the direction of the Child Placement Services Manager, is responsible for overseeing various professional assignments to provide services to socially and/or economically disadvantaged individuals in programs administered by ACFS Child Placement Services. Caseworker-Family Services Specialist carries a caseload consisting of family support services, child and adult protection services, and ICWA Monitoring services.

• Completes program-specific paperwork within established time frames.
• Maintains client files according to program and funding guidelines.
• Provides 24-hour crisis intervention.
• Provides on-call services.
• Responds to critical situations involving children and families within defined time frames.
• Evaluates the safety of living environments through home visits and client interviews.
• Completes risk assessments with the family to determine individual strengths and needs and makes appropriate recommendations for services based on assessment results.
• Identifies placement resources for children involved in child protection cases.
• Prepares and files court petitions in protective services and in-home care cases according to Tribal and State laws.
• Testifies in court hearings as required.
• Adheres to court orders by formulating a social services plan, supervising the family’s rehabilitative progress, and reporting to the court on any significant changes in case activity.
• Reviews the behavioral, medical, and educational needs of each child referred for placement at specified intervals and other times as needed.
• Prepares and presents information to the Sault Tribe Child Welfare Committee.
• Serves as a Qualified Expert Witness and a Tribal Representative as needed.
• Provide specialized knowledge and case consultation per the Indian Child Welfare Act, the Michigan Indian Family Preservation Act, and other various state and federal laws that pertain to child welfare court processes.
• Provides in-home supportive services, education, counseling, community resource linkage, referral, advocacy, and other social service interventions to families and children.
• Conducts forensic interviews.
• Completes a monthly narrative and statistical report.
• Implement and ensure compliance with various Federal and State Laws and Sault Ste. Marie Tribal Code.

• Develops and implements effective and culturally sensitive strategies for outreach to the Native American Community.
• Establishes lasting networks and collaborations with tribal and community resources.
• Attends and participates in departmental staff meetings and related activities.
• Attends workshops, conferences, and classes to increase professional knowledge.
• Serves on projects and committees as assigned.
• Serves as a resource person, responding to requests for information and assistance.
• Administers breathalyzer tests and drug screens as needed.
• Evaluates home and community-based situations for worker safety and follows best practices when working in volatile environments.

Position medium with the lifting of 50 pounds maximum and frequent lifting/carrying up to 25 pounds. Physical factors include constant use of hearing, smell, near/midrange/far vision, depth perception, and field of vision; frequent standing, walking, sitting, bending, typing, and driving in and during inclement weather; occasional carrying/lifting, pushing/pulling, climbing, stooping, kneeling, reaching, manual handling, and use of color vision. Working conditions include frequent exposure to weather, extreme heat/cold, wet/humidity, noise, and air quality.

Potential hazards include frequent client contact, infectious exposure, computer use, occasional exposure to moving mechanical parts, electric shock, needles/syringes, and equipment use. Positions provide home-based services, and most work occurs within client homes/communities. At times these environments can be volatile due to drug/alcohol use, criminal behavior, or behavioral health needs.

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services area:
Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Family Ecology, Consumer/Community Services, Family Studies…