Child Welfare Specialist - Intake

Children’s Center of Wayne County (TCC) The Children’s Center, founded in 1929, provides evidence-based clinical therapy to children who deal with mental, behavioral, emotional, intellectual, and developmental health and educational challenges or may have experienced trauma.  

School Community-Based Partnerships: We partner with K-12 schools and community organizations that serve children to provide clinical therapy, counseling, psychological services, and psychiatric evaluations, treatment & interventions.  

Child Welfare: In addition to the clinical therapy programs offered, The Children’s Center places children in licensed foster homes, and supports them throughout their time in the child welfare system.   

Child Well-being Family Success: We operate an onsite family success center that promotes child-wellbeing and offers children and youth from all walks of life to access relevant mental health crisis prevention and child abuse and neglect prevention services.

Advocacy: We champion child and youth well-being for those experiencing poverty-related issues, those within the child welfare system, and those in need of evidence-based, clinical therapy. 

TCC’s mission is to help children and families shape their own futures.  If as many children as possible, and their families can easily access comprehensive, evidence-based, clinical therapy that is integrated into and supports their everyday lives then, children will experience an improved quality of life where they have a true sense of agency and empowerment in their lives. 

We embrace and demonstrate a set of Core Values as the foundation of our culture.  They define how we do what we do, and what we value in our work with each other and our community.  Daily demonstration of these values, in mindset and behavior, is required to be successful as a TCC team member. 

• Dedicated-We are devoted, dedicated and always willing to pitch to accomplish our mission.   
• Passionate-We are passionate about what we do and helping the people we serve.   
• Accountable-We do what we say and accomplish all aspects of our responsibilities.   
• Can Do Attitude- We approach our responsibilities with a positive attitude.  
• Respectful- We always treat co-workers, donors, children and families with the utmost respect, courtesy, and patience. 

Job Summary

The Intake Specialist is responsible for the processing of new children brought into the agency for servicing. The processing includes but is not limited to obtaining required documentation for the child(ren), completing home visits and at times full home assessments, potentially covering court, providing vital information to the caregivers at a critical time on the case, and ensuring the initial placement meets the placement criteria of the agency, MDHHS, and DCWL. This position requires that the specialist interacts with various parties including but not limited to the child(ren), caregivers, biological parents, MDHHS and the Courts. This specialist will likely provide case coverage up to 15 days into the case, thereafter a quality and timely transfer is expected to occur to the ongoing specialist. 

Additionally, it is preferred that this specialist be familiar with or knowledgeable about the MITEAM Program through MDHHS. This Specialist will assist with the monitoring and implementation of the MITEAM requirements and compliance with MDHHS. 

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in one of the following fields required: Behavioral Science, Community Services, Counseling (Psychology), Criminal Justice (Administration), Early Childhood Studies, Family Ecology, Family Life Education, Family Studies, Family and/or Child Development, Guidance/School Counseling, Human Development and Family Studies, Human Services, Psychology, Social Work or Sociology.
• Must have an ability to coordinate and perform multiple tasks as it relates to providing client services.
• At minimum one (1) year of experience in foster care or related child welfare position preferred. Additionally, PSI (CWTI) and DCWL training preferable.
• If not DCWL or PSI (CWTI) trained, training must occur immediately following hire. These trainings may require travel. 
• Must have reliable transportation, a valid driver's license, automobile insurance and be willing to go into the community.
• Knowledge experience in working with the agency's target population and knowledge of social problems and concerns common to the target group.
• Must have the ability to properly assess homes, individuals, and families for appropriateness. 
• Must have an ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, their families, foster care parents, DHHS personnel and department team members.
• Ability to demonstrate basic computer skills related to windows navigation, Microsoft Office, and general office equipment.
• Ability to navigate or to learn to navigate various databases including but not limited to MISACWIS, CCWIS and ENOBLE efficiently. 
• High level organizational skills to ensure cases are managed appropriately and timely. 
• Must be able to provide clearance that there is no record and/or convictions as a perpetrator of child abuse and/or neglect in the State of Michigan Child Abuse/Neglect Central Registry and other states of residency over the past 5 years.
• This position requires driving, you must be able to provide proof of having a current, valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and current automobile insurance.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and with an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to effectively manage time, information, and meet deadlines.

Essential Functions

• Maintain current and accurate client information, and other required documentation.
• Comply with service delivery requirements as identified for the program. Additionally ensure that all policy requirements are always followed.
• Ensure that all cases are transferred in a timely manner to the assigned Foster Care Worker and Supervisor.
• Ensure that the department’s census is maintained at the established goal set. 
• Track and maintain list of new clients, foster homes, and host provider homes, home visits, medical/dentals if applicable and other case documentation for clients.
• Conference with case worker and supervisors on case transfers and case management when applicable.
• Travel to home visits in the child’s/youth’s residence. 
• Complete case documentation timely. 
• Develop Performance Goals and Expectations with immediate supervisor annually.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Supervisor.
• This position may require short case management coverage if needed. 

Additional Functions

• Contribute to a positive workplace culture that demonstrates evidence of high accountability, inclusivity, and collaboration. 
• Demonstrate a commitment to anti-racist practices, diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.
• Actively support and encourage creating a safe, welcoming, and inclusive administrative and service delivery environment.
• Adhere to best practices, ethical standards, and compliance with relevant laws and regulations. 

Physical Requirements

• Ability to traverse stairs and other uneven terrain to gain access to and to maneuver throughout offsite locations including office buildings and special event locations.
• Ability to prepare and inspect documents in hard copy or electronic format. Ability to tolerate exposure to computer screen and operate computer/keyboard and other office equipment on a frequent and/or continuous basis.
• Ability to receive and exchange information and accurately and effectively communicate and converse with others.
• Ability to lift up to 10 Lbs.
• Ability to sit for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to drive long distances, must have reliable transportation.
• Must be available for traditional and non-traditional work hours at times to manage crisis if needed. 

Other

• Maintain a customer satisfaction rate of at least 90% and have fewer than 4 documented complaints from any source in a 12-month period.
• 95% for all case documentation including but not limited to service plans, face to face contacts, social work contacts, medical and dentals, and other case documentation required. 
• Active participation in supervision, no less than on a bi-weekly basis, or consistent with regulatory standards.
• Attend a minimum of 32 hours training hours related to Child Welfare. The hours must include all required trainings by the agency and our partners.

Robust Health Care and Benefit Package including:    

• Medical  
• Vision and Dental Plan sponsored 100% by The Children’s Center 
• Matching 3% 403(b) retirement plan after one year, fully vested after two years of employment  
• 160 hours of paid time off your first year, 200 hours your 2^nd year, up to 280 hours  
• 11 paid holidays 
• Life Insurance  
• Long Term Disability sponsored 100% by The Children’s Center 
• Longevity Pay   
• Health Savings Account  
• Dependent Care Account 
• Tuition reimbursement  
• Employee Assistance 
• Voluntary Benefits 

Critical Illness 

Accident 

Voluntary Life, voluntary spouse and dependent life 

 Pet Insurance 

 Legal Shield (prepaid legal services) 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.