Demo

CPS Caseworker - Initial Assessment

Ozaukee County
Port Washington, WI Full Time
POSTED ON 4/8/2025
AVAILABLE BEFORE 5/7/2025
Full-time, non-exempt

Starting Annual Pay Range: $68,369 - $74,048

Job Summary

The Child Protective Services/Youth Justice Social Worker ensures the safety, permanence, and well-being of children and youth. This position ensures protection of the community and imposes accountability for violations of the law by equipping juvenile offenders with competencies to live responsibly and productively, according to federal, state, and administrative code and standards.

Essential Functions And Responsibilities

The following duties are primarily performed and are essential for this position. Employees are expected to be able to perform each of these job duties satisfactorily and successfully with or without reasonable accommodations to be qualified for the position. Other duties may be required and assigned.

15% Receiving and Writing Up CPS, Service, and Youth Justice Reports:

Receives and responds to phone calls from the public, schools, law enforcement and community service providers. Sometimes individuals are calling with general questions regarding family court or the CPS process. Enters CPS, Service, or Youth Justice reports into EWisacwis. Conducts CPS, CCAP and SOR histories of all caregivers and/or adults in the home. Decides on course of action to take based on information from reports.

65% Intake/Case Management:

Responds to reports of alleged maltreatment in accordance with state and safety standards to include immediate response, 24/48 response, or within five days. Coordinates with law enforcement to conduct a joint investigation and locate parents, children, and family members to notify and interview. Coordinates with Child Advocacy Centers and medical providers for emergency case response. Conducts assessments of alleged child abuse and neglect, which includes interviews with all household members, ensures every individual in the household is thoroughly assessed and interviewed. Conducts home visits, school visits, office visits, and collateral contacts to gather information. Documents all contacts, compile information into a comprehensive assessment to include all information about the presenting situation/alleged maltreatment, surrounding circumstances, child functioning, adult functioning, disciplinary practices, general parenting practices and family functioning. Identify and analyze safety and needs, assess present and impending danger threats, assess parental protective capacities, and refer families for services. Continuously reviews, oversees, and adjusts protective/safety plans in a way that is least intrusive to the family. When necessary, places children out of the home and completes all required court documentation. Notifies DCFS of any egregious incident, death, and/or serious injury sustained to a child. Completes Temporary Physical Custody Request, Medical Consent, Acknowledgement of Notice of Rights, and gather Information for three relatives. Completes Confirming Safe Environments of placement provider (24 hours background check, 3 days visit, 7 days visit) and Foster Home Agreement/Relative Caregiver Agreement/Confidentiality of Records. Care 4 Kids Screening (within 2 days at CAC and within 30 days at primary doctor). Update e-Wisacwis: Participant Information, including Medical/Mental Health, Education/ Passport to School. Enters the Out of Home Placement, completes Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths within 30 days of placement, Foster Care Rate, Information for Out of Home Care Providers A (within 2 days) and B (within 7 days). Updates the Legal Record and complete legal documentation, including CHIPS Petition (within 72 hours of TPC hearing), Court Referral, and Uniform Child Custody Affidavit. Completes Family Interaction Plan (must be developed & started within 5 days of removal) and Referral to Family Support Worker for visits. Notify WIC/Public Health if removal of 5 years old or younger. Communicate with Economic Support and refer to Birth to Three. Completes ICWA Screening for Child’s Status as Indian. Makes a referral for Relative Home Study for Kinship Care. Notify School District and County of Placement. Conducts team meetings and manage crisis situations and risk issues relating to children. Provides feedback to mandated/relative reporters. Attend case transfer staffing and introduce the family to the ongoing worker.

Engages families in a positive working relationship and builds foundational relationships with families through engagement. Assesses for safety (present and impending danger) and safety plan. Assesses families for various types of need and match services to meet those needs in areas such as mental health, substance abuse, housing, parenting skills, medical, dental, education, developmental, financial (budgeting, employment), transportation, family interaction/communication. Assesses for diminished and enhanced parental protective capacities. Develops plans to meet needs and enhance protective capacities.

Ensures accurate and timely documentation of all phone calls, emails, text messages, home visits. Document all interactions and contacts in the format of subjective, objective, assessment, and plan. Requests and Upload documents from outside agencies including but not limited to law enforcement reports, medical reports, school reports, out of state records, residential placement, and behavioral health records along with the release of information. Utilize the e-filing system for all court related documents.

10% ( After hours) Emergency/After-Hours Coverage:

Participates in an after-hours on-call rotation for CPS and YJ, totaling approximately 100 hours (6 evenings) per month with months off. Receive calls regarding concerns of abuse and neglect, youth justice charges, crisis situations and for collaboration. Documents child protective service reports, service reports and after-hours case notes. Respond within the community, make judgements about child safety, develop protective and/or safety plans, place children outside of the family home, if needed. Locate and coordinate placement options and transport children and youth to placements. Decides about youth risk and community safety when charges are being issued. Coordinates and respond to out of home placement. Provides mediation during difficult family dynamics when in crisis situations. Assists and coordinate with law enforcement. Connects with and refer to other counties and behavioral health crisis, when needed. Notifies access worker, supervisor, and manager of all after-hours contacts. Participate in daily CPS and YJ Intake emergency days during normal business hours. Provide Access coverage in the absence of the Access Worker during normal business hours.

5% Court Involvement:

Submits reports to the court. Attends court hearings and provide testimony. Coordinates with legal parties to reach resolutions. Follows Chapter 48, Chapter 938, and state/federal policies. Completes collateral interviews of legal parties involved in the assigned family matter in family court. Participates in substantiation hearing through appellate court for any substantiation appeals. Gathers all records for substantiation reviews and cases going to trial.

5% Other:

Participates in committees (outreach, TIC, events, foster parent and kinship caregiver events, employee recognition), supervision (individual and group), collaboration meetings, case staffing, case consultation with colleagues, Division Meetings, and All-Staff Meetings. Completes training and continuing education as required for professional development.

Completes expense reports, timesheets, and training authorizations. Remain updated on Wisconsin Standards, Wisconsin Statutes, and DCF Initiatives. Assists all positions within the Division. Other duties as assigned by the Children and Family Manager, Children and Family Supervisor and/or Children and Family Initial Assessment Supervisor.

Supervision Exercised

None

Minimum Education Qualifications

Education and/or Experience Requirements:

  • Master’s degree in social work or related field is preferred. Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field is required
  • Two years of experience in Child Protection Services, Youth Justice, Children’s Long-Term Support, or related fields working with Children and Families

Licenses, Certifications, and Other Requirements:

  • CANS Training, 30 hours ongoing training for licensure including Ethics and Boundaries.
  • Basic Intake Training may obtain after hire
  • YASI Training may obtain after hire
  • Pre-Service Training (Child Welfare) may obtain after hire
  • Foundation Training (Child Welfare) may obtain after hire
  • Understanding Child Sex Trafficking training may obtain after hire

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities Qualifications

In order to perform the functions and responsibilities of the position (listed above) the following knowledge, skills, and abilities are essential.

  • Excellent communication skills
  • Excellent Assessment skills
  • Strong written skills
  • Highly organized and demonstrates the ability to analyze and synthesize information
  • Highly advanced engagement and interviewing skills
  • Demonstrates the ability to defuse hostility, fear, anger, and resistance to prevent aggressive and violent behaviors
  • Ability to exercise sound judgment in working with a variety of people and circumstances
  • Able to work with diverse populations
  • Ability to provide effective collaboration and coordination with community resources
  • Knowledge of and ability to demonstrate Trauma Informed Care and strengths-based practice to child welfare
  • Knowledge of separation, placement and reunification issues affecting children in Alternate Care
  • Knowledge of the Children’s Code #48 and #938
  • Knowledge of Wisconsin Child Welfare Model of Practice
  • Knowledge of EWiSacwis
  • Knowledge of children and disabilities (developmental, physical, mental health)
  • Knowledge of Children’s Long-Term Support and Children’s Community Options Program funding services
  • Understanding of Medicaid Program, community resources
  • Ability to maintain accurate, timely, and comprehensive documentation in compliance with state standards as well as agency policy and procedures
  • Develop and maintain professional relationships.
  • Requires a valid Wisconsin Driver's License with a good driving record and liability insurance
  • Ability to travel throughout the county sometimes daily at times with personnel vehicle
  • Excellent organizational skills and ability to work independently.
  • Excellent critical thinking skills
  • Ability to multi-task, prioritize work duties and successfully meet deadlines as required
  • Ability to manage families in crisis and provide appropriate services and support
  • Ability to have a flexible work schedule to accommodate family’s needs.

In evaluating candidates for this position, Ozaukee County may consider a combination of education, training, and experience which provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of this position.

Physical Requirements

  • Prolonged periods of sitting and working on a computer
  • Periodic periods of standing or walking

Work Environment

Working with families either in the office, courtroom setting, community, or in their homes. Working remotely is available for some tasks.

Ozaukee County offers a generous benefits package including: health, dental, life, & vision insurance; free employee health clinic & Teladoc; paid holidays, vacation, & sick time; state of Wisconsin WRS defined benefit pension program; bonus opportunities; employee fitness room; wellness program & wellness reimbursement; tuition reimbursement & continuing education opportunities; and more! Please note some that benefits offered are dependent on full-time/part-time status.

Ozaukee County prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type against applicants and employees on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, handicap, disability, genetics, veteran status or military service, marital status or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic or status protected by federal, state or local laws. Ozaukee County also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act and applicable state and local laws.

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Salary : $68,369 - $74,048

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