County Caseworker ; Local Government - Luzerne County C&Y

Position: County Caseworker 1 (Local Government) - Luzerne County C&Y (Multiple Vacancies)
Location: Howard

Employees in this class participate in formal and informal county agency training programs which provide knowledge of the methods, procedures, rules and regulations necessary to perform social service and case management supportive services to children, youth, and families, people who are mentally disabled, people who are physically challenged, and others to assist them in attaining a more satisfactory social, economic, emotional, or physical adjustment.

The work assigned is limited in scope and difficulty, and is performed under close supervision, but as knowledge and skills are acquired, more latitude in judgment and decision making is permitted. Work is performed under the close supervision of a professional social service or administrative supervisor and is reviewed through individual and group conferences, assignment of professional reading, attendance at training programs, and the reading of records and reports.

Examples of Work:
Participates in formal and informal training programs which provide basic knowledge relative to agency purpose, services provided, client population characteristics, and applicable laws, methods, procedures, rules and regulations governing the operation of the agency.

* Learns about the network of available community resources by reviewing resource files, site visits, and working with and observing higher level caseworker staff.

* Receives instruction regarding the reason for and proper completion of applicable forms and paperwork.

* Performs a variety of entry level social services and case management duties designed to provide supportive services to children, youth and families, people who are mentally disabled, people who are physically challenged, and others.

* Assists clients and their families in developing and using their own potential for more adequately resolving their social, health, emotional and economic problems.

* Provides or assists in the provision of social services, such as placement of children and adults in foster or adoptive homes, day care centers, domiciliary care facilities, or institutions.

* Guides clients in home and budget management, housing, child care and parenting skills, employment, recreation and living arrangements.

* Schedules and conducts interviews and follow-up visits to provide service and counseling.

* Prepares and provides testimony in court under supervision.

* Makes referrals to other public and private social services and community agencies and resources to meet client needs; assists clients and their families in understanding and utilizing these resources.

* Attends and participates in case reviews and supervisory conferences and is exposed to a variety of learning experiences, including forms and on-the-job training programs, designed to develop professional and technical skills.

* Documents activities and services using designated agency methods and procedures, including social service summaries, correspondence and reports.

* Performs related work as required.

ADOLESCENT UNIT

* The Adolescent Unit provides services to adolescents and their families. Clientele are defined as abused, neglected adolescents who exhibit numerous adjustment difficulties such as: parent child conflict, truancy and school problems, abuse of drugs and alcohol, teenage pregnancy, psychological/emotional difficulties, learning disorders and delinquency problems. Youth are served within their own homes, foster care, community based facilities and residential facilities.

The Supervisor of the Adolescent Unit works closely with contracted Specialized Adolescent Assessment Unit workers. SAAU provides assessment and refers families to community-based agencies in an effort to circumvent LCCYS involvement. When a family is in need of ongoing and/or court mandated services SAAU opens the case and an ongoing AU worker is assigned to the case.

INDEPENDENT LIVING UNIT

* The Independent Living Program is an educational life skill program that is mandated by the Department of Human Services. All foster children who have been "in care" after their 14th birthday are provided with a thorough comprehensive life skills education program. The program is offered either…