Birth to Three Coordinator & Family Preservation Worker

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION: Under the general supervision of the Social Services Manager, serves as the Program Coordinator and the Service Coordinator for the Birth to Three Program. The Program Coordinator is responsible for the formation, determination, and implementation of program policy and services in compliance with applicable state and federal regulations and ensures procedural safeguards to protect parent and child rights. The Service Coordinator provides for the day-to-day implementation of family services and connects families with related services that may be of benefit to them.
The Family Preservation Worker (FPW) works directly with parents/caregivers, children, adolescents, child protection reporters, and social workers to strengthen and support families. The position requires flexibility to meet the needs of child safety and client interactions and may require some nights, weekends, early morning or evening work. Work most often performed in client homes and the community.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

This list of duties is not to be construed as all-inclusive and may be modified as needed. Special duty assignments will occur.

DUTIES OF PROGRAM COORDINATOR:

1. Ensure relevant Birth to Three policies and procedures are in place and updated as needed to stay in compliance with Wisconsin State Legislature Chapter DHS 90..
2. Develop and implement policies, structures, and practices that promote shared decision-making with the Early Intervention team and families. Lead the Early Intervention Team in changes related to the State’s required model for the program (Primary Coach Approach to Teaming).
3. Participate in local child-find activities including activities to make the public aware of the local birth to 3 program and development of a formal system of communication and coordination among pertinent agencies operating in the county that may have contact with eligible children and their families
4. Interagency agreements are entered into with other local agencies to identify respective roles and responsibilities in the delivery of early intervention services, coordinate service delivery, ensure the timely delivery of services and identify how disputes will be resolved when there is disagreement about the agency responsible for provision of a particular service Provide oversight of contracted service providers regarding program elements and how they meet client needs; orient new providers.
5. Review all bills and processes for timely payment.
6. Meet with supervisor as appropriate.
7. Attend regional/state meetings as appropriate. Engage in ongoing evidence-based professional development.
8. Respect and maintain client confidentiality in accordance with local, state, and federal guidelines.

DUTIES OF SERVICE COORDINATOR:
1. Coordinate and participate in the interdisciplinary services of screening, evaluation, and assessment, while consulting with, and implementing recommendations of, other disciplines such as speech, physical, and occupational therapies;
2. Provide on-going service coordination for enrolled children:
a. Comprehensively orient all families to the early intervention system and discuss formal and informal supports, and opportunities available to them.
b. Explain to families how early intervention is funded and answer any questions related to systems of payments in understandable terms.
c. Coordinate evaluations and assessments, identify and facilitate the multidisciplinary eligibility determination process, and ensure family participation through this process.
d. Facilitate IFSP development (initial, reviews, annuals) including functional outcomes addressed within family routines and natural environments.
e. Monitor progress and timely delivery of services in accordance with the IFSP.
f. Partner with families to coordinate educational, social, and medical services that the child needs or is being provided outside of EI.
g. Partner with families to plan and implement appropriate and individualized events, activities, and processes that support transitions across settings, agencies, and throughout the early intervention process.
h. Manage required timelines, processes, and documentation to support successful transitions.
i. Support a variety of planned and timely strategies for successful adjustment and positive outcomes for both the child and family as they exit early intervention.
3. Coordinate and facilitate Team Meetings to review case status and program issues, and provide updates on program changes and policy requirements.
4. Conduct awareness/informational presentations about the agency’s Birth to Three Program;
5. Maintain case records containing pertinent, accurate, and current information;
6. Document all referrals and enrollments to the program using the established record-keeping system utilized by the County and the Program Participation System. Maintain these records throughout the EI process for children found ineligible for Birth to Three services, assist families in accessing other community resources.
7. Respect and maintain client confidentiality in accordance with local, state, and federal guidelines.
8. Perform related work as required.
9. Under the direction of the Supervisor, this position may occasionally require working overtime hours or shifts.
DUTIES OF FAMILY PRESERVATION WORKER:
1. Provide in-home parenting education and support to families.
2. Coordinate and supervise family interactions when children are placed outside of their home.
3. Provide transportation to and from family interactions, community visits, or medical appointments when necessary.
4. Assist parents in making and attending appointments with community resources and serve as liaison between families and agencies. Guide parents in completing paperwork as needed.
5. Assist parents in meeting identified goals to enhance protective capacities; act as coach and mentor to support parents in meeting goals.
6. Assist case managers/social workers in completing mandated relative and family find efforts and documentation.
7. Actively participate as a team member on family teams and support the assigned social workers/case managers in providing case management services.
8. Assist case manager/social worker in assessing family strengths and family safety.
9. Testify in court as needed.
10. Provide Access duties on a rotating basis, to include receiving and documenting child protection reports as follows:
a. Gather sufficient information from reporter
b. Explain process and purpose of CPS, types of information needed from reporter
c. Determine if allegations meet Statutory and Standard criteria for maltreatment
d. Make recommendations regarding report screening, safety, and response time
e. Handle emergency situations and determine how best to meet immediate needs of child and family being reported.
11. Maintain timely and accurate documentation that meets professional practice, billing expectations, and program standards.
12. Under direction of the Supervisor, this position may at times be required to work overtime hours or shifts.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. A large percentage of time is spent sitting in the office or interacting with consumers, teams, or community vendors in the community.
2. The employee uses oral communication, judgment, hearing, near vision, finger dexterity for keyboarding and calculator use, reading, and writing. Handles papers and manuals, etc., lifts files, copy paper, and other office materials. Sits, stands, bends, and reaches intermittently throughout the day.
3. Regularly moves about the office building and travels to other offices or sites for meetings—remote risk of physical attack by a hostile client.
4. Participates in agency staff meetings.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

1. Preferred
a. Bachelor’s degree in social work or a closely related human services field
b. Social Work Certification is preferred, but not required.
c. Three years’ experience with individuals or families with mental health, substance abuse, and/or abuse and neglect issues preferred
2. Required:
a. Meet or exceed all rules for qualified personnel as set by WI State Statute 90.08 and 90.11(1)(c)
b. Associate Degree in human services, education, child development or related field(s) with a minimum of two-year related experience.
c. Combination of education and experience providing the equivalent level of knowledge, skills and abilities may be considered.

3. Supervisory experience preferred.
4. Ability to effectively communicate with clients, families, and other community service providers.
5. Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and insurance coverage.
6. Thorough working knowledge of the Birth to Three Program.
7. Knowledge of the general principles of normal development and special education, and an understanding of human behavior.
8. Knowledge of child development, parenting strategies, and problem-solving of child behaviors to guide parents using strengths-based strategies
9. Ability to establish and maintain an effective relationship with clients, parents, co-workers, the public, and other agencies.
10. Ability to interpret Birth to 3 laws and regulations and develop agency policies/procedures that comply with state and federal requirements.
11. Ability to prepare and deliver informational presentations on the agency’s Birth to 3 Program.
12. Working knowledge of prevention, detection, reporting, and treatment of child and adult abuse and neglect.
13. Ability to prepare and maintain necessary records/reports and to understand and follow oral and written instructions
14. Evidence of satisfactory appearance, enthusiasm, integrity, resourcefulness, initiative, emotional maturity and discretion in maintaining confidentiality.
15. Thorough working knowledge of department and county policies and procedures.
16. Physical ability to perform these tasks.
17. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with peers and supervisors.
18. Ability to work while exposed to environmental factors such as unkept homes.
19. Ability to think critically and to act decisively to ensure safety.
20. Skills in leading, teaching, organizing, prioritizing, directing, problem-solving and planning.
21. Resilience and the ability to cope with emotionally-draining and traumatic situations.
22. Ability to exert light physical effort, such as lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling infants and toddlers into vehicles, car seats and up flights of stairs.
23. Valid motor vehicle operator’s license and/or available means of transportation required.
24. Background checks required.
25. Proficient with Microsoft Office products and the ability to quickly become proficient with other required software.

https://www.co.pepin.wi.us/index.asp?SEC=4EB620E2-D0B9-477F-87C8-48D9363EB289&Type=B_JOB

Deadline Note: