CHILD WELFARE ASSISTANT, H16

BASIC PURPOSE:

Positions in this job family are assigned responsibility for providing administrative and programmatic support to Child Welfare Specialists (CWS), and may perform lower level paraprofessional Child Welfare tasks and duties.

TYPICAL FUNCTIONS:

The functions within this job family will vary by level, but may include the following:

• Performs administrative support tasks and other related duties to include general office duties, inputting case documentation, compiling social and economic data, scheduling and assisting in meetings with clients, parents, and other interested parties.
• Performs basic computer searches for client histories and assist clients in obtaining required information and documents.
• Schedules required appointments for doctor visits, family visitations, court appearances, and other venues; arranges or provides transportation for child(ren) and clients.
• Advises clients of available child welfare services and resources; provides specific program information to clients and may refer to community resources for assistance.
• Assists CWS in providing case management in client meetings, obtaining other services such as day care or medical care; coordinating activities with law enforcement; courts, and other entities; provides reports to the courts.
• Contacts public and private health, welfare and social agencies and related community resources for the purpose of obtaining services for clients, former clients, and their families.
• Recruits, screens, evaluates, and recommends volunteers for the Child Welfare Volunteer Program; provides training to volunteers; and develops informational materials for recruitment of volunteers.
• Interviews clients and their families and report’s findings, which may affect medical, financial, tribal affiliation, and psychiatric care and treatment plans, to assigned CWS.
• Assists in the recruiting of foster homes; assisting the foster parents, the child, the child’s parents, and in obtaining reunification of the child and parents when appropriate.
• Participates in meetings and conferences for the purpose of overall program planning, diagnostics, and treatment for children and their families.
• May assist in advocating for client(s) in obtaining services; maintains communication among the client, providers, client’s family, and others; may assist clients in achieving individualized service plans.
• Makes home visits to assist CWS in assessing family functioning, foster care placement, and conducting other home visits as required by the individualized service plan or court order.

LEVEL DESCRIPTORS:

This job family consists of two levels, which are distinguished by the complexity of job assignments, the extent of responsibility, and the expertise to complete specific duties assigned.

Level I                                                    Code:  H16A                                         Salary Band:  F

This is the entry level position for this job family where employees perform administrative duties. This may include data entry and retrieval using KIDs applications, and completion of reports. Incumbents will also assist clients in obtaining documents and assist the CWS in making client referrals to other OKDHS programs or community resources.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of current social and economic problems; of human relations; of spelling, punctuation, and business English; of the maintenance of records; of OKDHS and Division of Child Welfare policies and procedures; the KIDS computer applications and other OKDHS computer program applications as required. Ability is required to maintain effective working relationships with others; to maintain confidentiality; to advise clients on agency services and community resources according to policy; and to follow oral and written instructions.

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of one year of clerical experience in a government or non-profit social services provider environment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience, substituting thirty semester hours of college for the required experience.

Level II                                                   Code:  H16B                                         Salary Band:  G

This is the career level where employees are assigned responsibility for the completion of a full range of paraprofessional work  at the full performance level  in completing various Child Welfare case management activities such as providing assistance to Child Welfare Specialists, clients, client families, and other interested parties; assisting in the recruitment activities for the Child Welfare Volunteer Program, and may include coordinating referrals to other program areas, service providers, and the courts; interviewing clients and client families; assisting in problem resolution, and making home visits to assist CWS in assessing foster care placement as required by court or individualized service plan.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include those listed in Level I plus knowledge of principles of interviewing. Ability is required to exercise good judgment in assessing situations and documenting or presenting the facts effectively and accurately; and to assist the CWS in making appropriate referrals for clients.

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of those identified in Level I plus two additional years of clerical experience in a child welfare environment or an equivalent combination of education and experience, substituting thirty semester hours of college for each year of the required experience.  

Special Requirements:

Applicants must be willing and able to perform all job-related travel normally associated with this position.

Applicants must possess a valid driver’s license and maintain required car insurance and be willing to transport clients.

Applicants must successfully complete the Oklahoma Department of Human Services’ defensive driving training within one year of entering on duty.

Applicants must pass a criminal background investigation.