Case Aide- Assessment Unit

 

Protecting Children, Strengthening Families, Securing Futures

POSITION: Case Aide- Assessment Unit (posting #142070)
SALARY: Starting at $36,400/year, commensurate with experience

This position provides essential services to children and families that are in need. The Assessment Unit Case Aide provides various support services to caseworkers, assists with crisis intervention, assesses safety and risk, and provides referrals of services. Services will be provided at the agency or other locations such as the family home.

FULL-TIME positions, 40-hours per work week

Excellent Benefits Include:

Medical, dental, and vision insurances
Paid $30,000 life insurance policy
OPERS (Ohio Public Employees Retirement System)
12 paid holidays
2 weeks paid vacation time
Possibility of vacation cash out
Possibility of hybrid work environment
Monthly phone stipend reimbursement
Tuition reimbursement program
Achieve Civil Servant status after 180-day probationary period

Required Qualifications

High School Diploma or equivalent
Computer skills
Valid driver’s license and Ohio Revised Code (ORC) compliant auto insurance
Knowledge of Athens County roads. Out of town driving will be required.
Candidate must pass a comprehensive background assessment

Preferred Qualifications

Associate degree in Human Services preferred

APPLY on our website:
Employment Opportunities – Athens County Children Services (athenschildrenservices.com)

**Applications accepted until ALL positions filled.**

ACCS is an EEO & Trauma Informed Employer.

**FULL JOB DESCRIPTION**

General Position Description

This position provides essential services to children and families that are in need. The Assessment Unit Case Aide provides various support services to caseworkers, assists with crisis intervention, assesses safety and risk, and provides referrals of services. Services will be provided at the agency or other locations such as the family home.

Reports To

Assessment Unit Supervisor

Employment Status

This is a fulltime position working 40-hour per work week, regularly scheduled within the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday, except legal holidays, with flexibility of early morning or evening hours as needed to complete job responsibilities. Some weekend work may be required. The supervisor may expect the worker to use an Alternative Work Site.

Principal Responsibilities

1) Provide Support Services

• Provide administrative support to the Assessment Unit. (i.e. pulling case files, updating Outlook calendars, faxing, stocking office supplies and forms, making copies, etc.)
• Provide agency reception services as needed by responding to incoming calls from the public and greet the public in a professional manner.
• Provide oversight of visits off grounds for families when children are in substitute care.
• Work with the appropriate caseworker to develop a service plan with the parent’s participation identifying parenting issues, goals and activities that will assist in adjusting parenting practices and enhance attachment.
• Assure safety of children.
• Meet with parents to discuss problems and/or progress with their established plan.
• Provide information on effective, nonphysical disciplining techniques to parents.
• Assist locating missing parents or family members as needed or requested by casework staff or unit supervisor.
• Conduct drug and alcohol screens.
• Make referrals to service providers.
• Follow up with service providers.
• Enroll children in the appropriate school.
• Complete request for funds and deliver the items to the family in need.
• Assist in removals (including paperwork and being with the child(ren).
• Check in with families on a regular basis. Typing (i.e., Correspondence, forms, summaries, labels, reports)
• Coordinate client records requests.

2) Perform Assessments and Data Entry Services

• Help in providing casework staff the needed information to established or maintain a case plan.
• Provide an assessment of parenting skills for parents/caregivers.
• Meet with families to facilitate the accurate completion of required agency forms.
• Orient families to the policies and practices of the agency encouraging meaningful case plan progression.
• Provide an assessment report of service recommendations to the family and the assigned caseworker.

3) Present Information

• Provide required agency documentation and court reports.
• Obtain releases of information.
• Document case activities through written recordings, service plans, parent assessments, correspondence, and other required paperwork.
• Complete appropriate documentation and provide the information to the assigned caseworker.
• Prepare to testify in court working with the county attorney regarding family dynamics or services that were provided to the family.
• Compile stats for the Assessment Unit and provide to the Quality Assurance Officer.
• Provide information to the parents and caseworker about the progress on service plan activities and goals.
• Request and participate in agency case reviews and/or family team meetings.
• Prepare reports, referrals, and other required documents accurately, completely and within established time frames.

4) Collaborate and Coordinate with Multiple Stakeholders

• Relay information between parents, providers, schools, and agency staff as needed.
• Observe, document and report to caseworker and Assessment supervisor problematic behaviors or environmental conditions which threaten children’s or family safety.
• Participate in regular supervisory meetings and other agency meetings.
• Attend team meetings on a regular basis as scheduled.
• Participate in meetings designed to address case plan issues.
• Participate in case reviews, Family Group Conferences or other meetings when deemed appropriate or as directed by the unit supervisor.
• Work with unit staff and supervisor to coordinate family visits including scheduling with visiting parties. Work with staff to assure transportation and secure the visit location.
• Work with foster parents, service providers and kinship providers in coordinating visitations and sharing information about strengths and concerns observed with the children and their families.
• Provide and facilitate a parent mentoring curriculum through fidelity with identified parents during in-person or virtual meetings.
• Report concerns with the operation of the agency vehicles.
• Schedule virtual meetings and supervise when needed if concerns occur.
• Assist family in linking community providers, support persons, and community resources.
• Refer victims and families to the Athens County Victim Assistance Program and to a child advocacy center as needed.

5) Utilize Appropriate Supervision

• Report concerns or observations to the unit supervisor and casework staff with supporting documentation.
• Meet with supervisor regularly (bi-weekly) as scheduled to discuss work management, case direction, issues, and questions.
• Share information with supervisor on independent decision making.
• Develop agenda for supervisory conferences.
• Meet with supervisor prior to case closing.
• Show balance between over-dependence on supervisor and independence in decision making.
• Prepare an individualized training plan along with supervisor and show ability to evaluate own practice.
• Discuss information entered into data systems and monitored for quality and compliance.
• Attend staff meetings and required in-service training.
• Consult with supervisor and assistant prosecuting attorney.
• Keep supervisor informed of critical issues that may arise between scheduled conferences.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

This position requires that the Case Aide be flexible in performing infrequent duties, not already listed, which are necessary to support the mission of the agency.

Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of community resources for employment, education, housing, health care, mental health and community supports.
• Ability to maintain relations with families, support staff, other social agencies, public officials, and general public.
• Knowledge of child behavior patterns in correlation with their environments, child development and the effects of abuse and neglect.
• Knowledge of parenting skills and appropriate disciplining techniques.
• Provide Parent Mentoring to families served through the unit
• Assist in cleaning and organizing of visitation rooms when needed.
• Awareness and ability to check for head lice or other active infestations
• Scheduling of visitations, transportations, and other supervision coverages
• Awareness of local cultural norms and values.
• Proficiency in interviewing skills, listening, and obtaining information
• Ability to gather knowledge of family’s strengths and concerns and problem identification.
• Evaluation and assessment of family dynamics.
• Time management and organizational skills
• Effective engagement, communication skills, written and verbal skills.
• Ability to handle high levels of stress.
• Uphold ethical standards.
• Basic knowledge of court practices.
• Demonstrate knowledge of crisis-intervention and mediation skills.
• Knowledge of agency policies, procedures, standards and ODJFS rules.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention and mediation.
• Knowledge of trauma informed care principles and practices.
• Basic knowledge of child welfare practice and goals.
• Ability to work independently, with a team, and with supervision.
• Knowledge of the need to maintain strict confidentiality regarding the agency’s caseload.
• Ability to work with families in their own home and providing services as to where the family “is at” respecting the family at that level. Using skills and resources to move the family to a level of functioning that they can manage on their own.
• Knowledge of the impact of drugs on individuals and families and methods of intervention.
• Ability to break down information in incremental steps through discussion and demonstration and share this with the family.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet program goals, responsibilities, and deadlines.
• Ability to clearly communicate.
• Ability to relate to the public in a polite and professional manner in routine and unusual situations.
• Knowledge of Windows, Microsoft Word, Excel, Traverse, and CCWIS.
• Working knowledge of phone systems and ability to respond to high volumes of phone calls.
• Knowledge of professional office practices and procedures and ability to operate office machines.
• Ability to organize work and follow directions.
• Ability to prioritize multiple tasks.
• Ability to work on a team.
• Ability to effectively problem solve.
• Familiar with rules and timelines pertaining to Assessment Unit.
• Working knowledge of Trauma Informed Practices.

Equipment Operated

Computer, multi-line telephone system, cellular telephone, copier, Fax and scanner, digital camera, and an electronic tablet.