Child Protective Services Investigator
How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world (Anne Frank). ACDSS is looking for candidates who are interested in making a difference and becoming part of an inclusive, effective team devoted to partnering with families and others to support child safety, permanency and well-being. As an organization, ACDSS is committed to building a diverse team of contributors who believe and work from the foundation of our core values of equity and inclusion, hope, respect, opportunity, and self-determination. We grow and develop our staff by offering opportunities for additional education, supervision for clinical licensure, and training, and creating a learning community where diverse perspectives are valued and encouraged. Starting offer is based on applicable education, experience and internal equity.
We aim to recruit a new team member from a diverse pool of candidates and encourage all to apply. The Family Services Specialist II position will be responsible for providing responsible and equitable protection for abused, neglected, abandoned, and at-risk children and their families. Performs specialized, complex professional investigations and assessments for families in Child Protective Services in an inclusive team environment in accordance with Va. Law and Policy and established investigative, casework, and counseling principles. Uses an asset-based approach to engage with the client system to support and assist them with safety, personal, family, social, health, and economic needs. Empowers the client/family to attain their highest level of self-sufficiency.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Analyzes complex human behavior in initial contact with families.
- Selects the optimal crisis intervention method to de-escalate violent or volatile situations when they arise.
- Sets clear boundaries for clients who are intimidating, defiant, and possibly dangerous.
- Observes and documents the effects of family behavior and environmental factors on the child.
- Balances the use of CPS statutory authority with the need to determine the least invasive intervention to protect the child and enhance family functioning.
- Demonstrates attentiveness, reassurance, empathy, and congruence in thinking, feeling, and acting to create a stable, rational atmosphere conducive to cooperation and engagement.
- Communicates the CPS complaint and the agency’s role in child protection clearly and honestly to the alleged abuser and the family.
- Interviews family members to assess and document information regarding strengths, mental and physical development, abuse history, parenting skills, perceptions of reported incident, violence, and family and community support.
- Assesses the role of drug or alcohol abuse in individual and family dysfunction and intervenes for the protection of children and the rehabilitation of chemically dependent individuals and their codependent family systems when applicable.
- Evaluates the reliability and accuracy of information gathered from family members and determines the level of risk after the initial period of crisis intervention.
- Continues to revise safety assessment of the child throughout the investigative/assessment period.
- Gathers, assess, and/or disseminates sensitive, collateral information about the family from a variety of sources according to Virginia Confidentiality law and policy and respecting family privacy.
- Analyzes and interprets pertinent professional reports and other data.
- Refers clients for services to other human service agencies such as substance abuse services, mental and physical health providers, employment services, vocational rehabilitation services, etc.
- Mediates among involved legal, medical, law enforcement, educational, and mental health professionals.
- Makes determination regarding conditions of abuse, neglect, and/or safety of the child at 45-60 days.
- Determines future risk to the child and makes decisions as to the course of action to ensure the child’s future safety, which may include recommendations for removal and the actual removal of the child from the parent(s) when necessary according to Virginia law and policy.
- Provides coverage after hours and on weekends, on an on-call basis, for emergencies involving abuse or neglect of children and adolescents, and for situations requiring immediate attention regarding children in the legal custody of the Department of Social Services.
- Performs other related tasks as assigned.
Interprets laws, policies and regulations as applied to specific area of responsibility; Monitors, coordinates and administers specific programs as assigned; Coordinates services within specific area of responsibility; Interviews and assesses customer needs and other relevant factors – such as education/skill levels, abilities, interests, and support systems. Informs clients of related service programs rules/regulations, and right to participate; Presents cases to determine appropriate services and writes/implements service plans; Provides case management services to monitor compliance; Manages program waiting lists; Tracks expenditures, prepares/submits budget estimates and ensures payment for services; Completes necessary federal, state and local planning and reporting requirements; Coordinates with other agencies and participates in multi-disciplinary and interagency teams providing services to customers; Conducts overall monitoring of programs in specific area of responsibility; Serves as resource to clients and the community in area of expertise; and provides after hours on-call coverage and responds to emergencies in child/adult protective services and/or foster care.