Virginia Department of Social Services
Family Services Specialist II
Virginia Department of Social Services, Alexandria, Virginia, us, 22350
Job Description
The City of Alexandria is bordered by Washington D.C. and the Potomac River, Arlington and Fairfax counties, and Maryland. The small city has a cosmopolitan feel with 150,000 people living within its 15.75 square miles. At the Department of Community and Human Services, we provide essential safety net services to help city residents enjoy a sense of well-being, safety and self-sufficiency. Our behavioral health programs provide compassionate services that support self-determination and recovery. The beauty of our diverse and resilient people and our commitment to race and social equity, coupled with a historic district dating to 1749, charming waterfront, vibrant arts community and unique places for foodies and shopping, make the City of Alexandria a uniquely wonderful place to live, work and play. We invite all qualified candidates to learn more and apply for our
Family Services Specialist II
position.
General Statement of Duties:
A Family Services Specialist II performs intensive, professional work in conducting investigations of alleged abuse, neglect and exploitation of disabled adults aged 18 years and older and adults aged 60 years and older. Work responsibilities involve rendering specialized and critical assessment of complex, high risk vulnerable adults involving complex psychosocial diagnoses and differential treatments. Employees in this class provide psychotherapy to clients with serious problems in such areas as mental illness, substance abuse, and family dysfunction, and help them develop their own capabilities. Employees in this class render services to vulnerable adults impacted by issues such as abuse, neglect or exploitation and suffering emotional, physical, financial or environmental distress as a result.
Family Services Specialist II are responsible for providing crisis intervention and emergency responses to volatile situations involving vulnerable adults. Performs assessment of risk factors, analyzes causes and contributing factors, and develops intervention providing the maximum protection in the least restrictive manner based on the immediate and predicted long term needs of the client. Adult Protective Services is distinguished from Adult Services by virtue of the investigative/intervention requirement as a State mandated program, and the intensive protective services required addressing safety issues, and preventing harm. This specialized work requires smaller caseloads than other Adult Service delivery programs. Adult Protective Service social workers manage cases independently with supervisory review and consultation for adherence to regulatory requirements.
Examples of Duties: Receives and responds to Adult Protective Service reports of abuse/neglect/exploitation within 24 hours. Responds to unknown and /or potentially dangerous environments that may include verbal abuse or threat to bodily harm. Provides immediate response to Adult Protective Service emergency complaints and/or case crises. Collaborates with law enforcement to respond to unknown and/or potentially dangerous environments that may include weapons and threat of bodily harm. Provides specialized and intensive case management, crises intervention and emergency response services to elderly and disabled adults to prevent or eliminate abuse, neglect or exploitation. Coordinates emergency placement in facilities such as assisted living, nursing homes, or other residential programs. Conducts home visits to investigate, assess, provide intervention and monitor safety issues. Conducts joint investigations with State regulatory agencies when abuse, neglect and exploitation occur in adult residential facilities such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and group homes such as Licensing and the Ombudsman offices. Determines disposition of abuse and neglect complaints and makes ongoing assessment of risks posed to clients in accordance with state and local policies. Conducts comprehensive clinical assessments and coordinates with peers and community partners to develop plans of service to meet the social, health, and emotional needs to resolve client challenges. Assess safety issues, develop safety plans, and implement services. Reviews and updates of treatment plans to reflect progress and reduction in risk. Use the identified strengths and needs to guide service planning which involves and empowers clients to change. Reviews and updates the treatment plan to reflect progress and reduction of risk. Constructs detailed therapeutic interventions which set specific goals and objectives for the client and identify service providers. Completes investigative reports to include: uniform assessment instrument (UAI), service plans, statistical reports, documentation in state data system (ASAPS). Conducts Adult Protective Service training presentations for other City programs/agencies, and community organizations (public and private). Conducts trainings regarding abuse, neglect and exploitation for mandated reporters such as Companion Aides, hospital personnel, law enforcement, & the banking community. Provides specialized casework strategies to assist clients with crisis resolution. Petitions court on behalf of elderly and disabled adults who require appointment of a guardian or conservator. Provides expert testimony for guardianship and/or conservatorship hearings. Recruits and trains volunteer guardians and conservators to serve vulnerable adults. Serves on community task forces/committees to engage in community outreach. Provides case management services, including utilization of State and City computer systems to update and maintain case information. Submit timely revisions to work schedule as needed for overtime hours due to response to emergent cases. Coordinates Long Term Care Medicaid Screenings for Elderly and Disabled Consumer Directed (EDCD) waiver for nursing home placement or personal care in the home. Performs monthly assigned intake duties for call-in and walk-in referrals for the Division on Aging services (Meals on Wheels, liquid nutrition, companion aide, bathing program, personal care/EDCD screenings). Provides collaboration and consultation with hospitals, nursing homes, detox unit, and emergency shelters to develop safe discharge planning for seniors and disabled adults. Collaborates with local housing resources, property managers, landlords, shelters, hotels and boarding houses to address emergency housing needs of Adult Protective Service clients. Coordinates with mental health team regarding requests for capacity evaluations. Collaborates with mental health team regarding crisis situations that require legal intervention (Temporary Detention Order (TDO) or Emergency Custody Order (ECO). Maintains data base and annual reporting oversight of the guardianship/conservatorship program. Assists client with applying for federal benefits such as: Medicaid, SNAP, Medicare, Social Security/Social Security Disability Insurance, Auxiliary Grant, Elderly and Disabled Consumer Directed Waiver. Advocates for clients with internal and external agencies and community programs to obtain needed resources and assistance. Documents investigations, clinical assessments and treatment plans and shares this information with clients, the Court, collaterals as appropriate.
Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Ability to use relevant information in determining need for assessment of capacity; safety and risk; need for safety; Understanding normal development of older adults and people with disabilities. Ability to recognize special vulnerabilities of APS client populations. Knowledge of health, mental health, sexuality, lifestyle and institutional issues for older adults and persons with disabilities and their impact on individual and family functioning. General knowledge of common prescription and over-the-counter drugs, potential interactions and side effects and other medical issues that can affect functioning. Knowledge and ability to use resources for dealing with medical and mental health issues. Ability to intervene effectively with challenging behaviors, including hostility, passivity, resistance, mental health, and intellectual disability issues.
Minimum Qualifications:
Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in a Human Services field or minimum of a Bachelor's degree in any field with a minimum of two years of appropriate and related experience in a Human Services area (Section 22VAC40-670-20 of the Administrative Code of Virginia). Employees must possess a valid driver's license issued by the state of their residence if they are in a position with driving responsibilities. Considerable Knowledge / experience of gerontology, the dynamics of the aging process, and the special problems of the elderly and people with disabilities. Ability to recognize the impact of abuse, neglect, domestic violence, emotional conditions, and disabilities can have on physical and emotional functioning. Considerable knowledge / experience of how aging, disability, chronic illness, and mental illness can affect adult functioning and independent living. Knowledge of conditions such as disabilities, chemical dependency, addictive behaviors, AIDS, dementia, depression, decubiti and delirium and how they contribute to or result from abuse/neglect. Considerable knowledge / experience of the special nutritional needs of elderly adults. Ability to use diverse methods to elicit information from clients with intellectual, functional or communication limitations. Skilled in identifying physical, emotional and behavioral indicators of abuse, neglect and exploitation. Considerable experience / ability to evaluate client situation, address barriers, and make service plan based on client's wishes, capacity, degree of risk, and least restrictive alternatives.
Preferred Qualifications:
Master's degree in Human services field; Master's Degree in Social Work and some experience working with vulnerable disabled adults and seniors in their homes, hospital settings, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, rehabilitation programs, residential group homes, vocational programs, etc. Considerable experience in Adult Protective Services investigating abuse, neglect or exploitation.
The City of Alexandria is bordered by Washington D.C. and the Potomac River, Arlington and Fairfax counties, and Maryland. The small city has a cosmopolitan feel with 150,000 people living within its 15.75 square miles. At the Department of Community and Human Services, we provide essential safety net services to help city residents enjoy a sense of well-being, safety and self-sufficiency. Our behavioral health programs provide compassionate services that support self-determination and recovery. The beauty of our diverse and resilient people and our commitment to race and social equity, coupled with a historic district dating to 1749, charming waterfront, vibrant arts community and unique places for foodies and shopping, make the City of Alexandria a uniquely wonderful place to live, work and play. We invite all qualified candidates to learn more and apply for our
Family Services Specialist II
position.
General Statement of Duties:
A Family Services Specialist II performs intensive, professional work in conducting investigations of alleged abuse, neglect and exploitation of disabled adults aged 18 years and older and adults aged 60 years and older. Work responsibilities involve rendering specialized and critical assessment of complex, high risk vulnerable adults involving complex psychosocial diagnoses and differential treatments. Employees in this class provide psychotherapy to clients with serious problems in such areas as mental illness, substance abuse, and family dysfunction, and help them develop their own capabilities. Employees in this class render services to vulnerable adults impacted by issues such as abuse, neglect or exploitation and suffering emotional, physical, financial or environmental distress as a result.
Family Services Specialist II are responsible for providing crisis intervention and emergency responses to volatile situations involving vulnerable adults. Performs assessment of risk factors, analyzes causes and contributing factors, and develops intervention providing the maximum protection in the least restrictive manner based on the immediate and predicted long term needs of the client. Adult Protective Services is distinguished from Adult Services by virtue of the investigative/intervention requirement as a State mandated program, and the intensive protective services required addressing safety issues, and preventing harm. This specialized work requires smaller caseloads than other Adult Service delivery programs. Adult Protective Service social workers manage cases independently with supervisory review and consultation for adherence to regulatory requirements.
Examples of Duties: Receives and responds to Adult Protective Service reports of abuse/neglect/exploitation within 24 hours. Responds to unknown and /or potentially dangerous environments that may include verbal abuse or threat to bodily harm. Provides immediate response to Adult Protective Service emergency complaints and/or case crises. Collaborates with law enforcement to respond to unknown and/or potentially dangerous environments that may include weapons and threat of bodily harm. Provides specialized and intensive case management, crises intervention and emergency response services to elderly and disabled adults to prevent or eliminate abuse, neglect or exploitation. Coordinates emergency placement in facilities such as assisted living, nursing homes, or other residential programs. Conducts home visits to investigate, assess, provide intervention and monitor safety issues. Conducts joint investigations with State regulatory agencies when abuse, neglect and exploitation occur in adult residential facilities such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and group homes such as Licensing and the Ombudsman offices. Determines disposition of abuse and neglect complaints and makes ongoing assessment of risks posed to clients in accordance with state and local policies. Conducts comprehensive clinical assessments and coordinates with peers and community partners to develop plans of service to meet the social, health, and emotional needs to resolve client challenges. Assess safety issues, develop safety plans, and implement services. Reviews and updates of treatment plans to reflect progress and reduction in risk. Use the identified strengths and needs to guide service planning which involves and empowers clients to change. Reviews and updates the treatment plan to reflect progress and reduction of risk. Constructs detailed therapeutic interventions which set specific goals and objectives for the client and identify service providers. Completes investigative reports to include: uniform assessment instrument (UAI), service plans, statistical reports, documentation in state data system (ASAPS). Conducts Adult Protective Service training presentations for other City programs/agencies, and community organizations (public and private). Conducts trainings regarding abuse, neglect and exploitation for mandated reporters such as Companion Aides, hospital personnel, law enforcement, & the banking community. Provides specialized casework strategies to assist clients with crisis resolution. Petitions court on behalf of elderly and disabled adults who require appointment of a guardian or conservator. Provides expert testimony for guardianship and/or conservatorship hearings. Recruits and trains volunteer guardians and conservators to serve vulnerable adults. Serves on community task forces/committees to engage in community outreach. Provides case management services, including utilization of State and City computer systems to update and maintain case information. Submit timely revisions to work schedule as needed for overtime hours due to response to emergent cases. Coordinates Long Term Care Medicaid Screenings for Elderly and Disabled Consumer Directed (EDCD) waiver for nursing home placement or personal care in the home. Performs monthly assigned intake duties for call-in and walk-in referrals for the Division on Aging services (Meals on Wheels, liquid nutrition, companion aide, bathing program, personal care/EDCD screenings). Provides collaboration and consultation with hospitals, nursing homes, detox unit, and emergency shelters to develop safe discharge planning for seniors and disabled adults. Collaborates with local housing resources, property managers, landlords, shelters, hotels and boarding houses to address emergency housing needs of Adult Protective Service clients. Coordinates with mental health team regarding requests for capacity evaluations. Collaborates with mental health team regarding crisis situations that require legal intervention (Temporary Detention Order (TDO) or Emergency Custody Order (ECO). Maintains data base and annual reporting oversight of the guardianship/conservatorship program. Assists client with applying for federal benefits such as: Medicaid, SNAP, Medicare, Social Security/Social Security Disability Insurance, Auxiliary Grant, Elderly and Disabled Consumer Directed Waiver. Advocates for clients with internal and external agencies and community programs to obtain needed resources and assistance. Documents investigations, clinical assessments and treatment plans and shares this information with clients, the Court, collaterals as appropriate.
Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Ability to use relevant information in determining need for assessment of capacity; safety and risk; need for safety; Understanding normal development of older adults and people with disabilities. Ability to recognize special vulnerabilities of APS client populations. Knowledge of health, mental health, sexuality, lifestyle and institutional issues for older adults and persons with disabilities and their impact on individual and family functioning. General knowledge of common prescription and over-the-counter drugs, potential interactions and side effects and other medical issues that can affect functioning. Knowledge and ability to use resources for dealing with medical and mental health issues. Ability to intervene effectively with challenging behaviors, including hostility, passivity, resistance, mental health, and intellectual disability issues.
Minimum Qualifications:
Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in a Human Services field or minimum of a Bachelor's degree in any field with a minimum of two years of appropriate and related experience in a Human Services area (Section 22VAC40-670-20 of the Administrative Code of Virginia). Employees must possess a valid driver's license issued by the state of their residence if they are in a position with driving responsibilities. Considerable Knowledge / experience of gerontology, the dynamics of the aging process, and the special problems of the elderly and people with disabilities. Ability to recognize the impact of abuse, neglect, domestic violence, emotional conditions, and disabilities can have on physical and emotional functioning. Considerable knowledge / experience of how aging, disability, chronic illness, and mental illness can affect adult functioning and independent living. Knowledge of conditions such as disabilities, chemical dependency, addictive behaviors, AIDS, dementia, depression, decubiti and delirium and how they contribute to or result from abuse/neglect. Considerable knowledge / experience of the special nutritional needs of elderly adults. Ability to use diverse methods to elicit information from clients with intellectual, functional or communication limitations. Skilled in identifying physical, emotional and behavioral indicators of abuse, neglect and exploitation. Considerable experience / ability to evaluate client situation, address barriers, and make service plan based on client's wishes, capacity, degree of risk, and least restrictive alternatives.
Preferred Qualifications:
Master's degree in Human services field; Master's Degree in Social Work and some experience working with vulnerable disabled adults and seniors in their homes, hospital settings, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, rehabilitation programs, residential group homes, vocational programs, etc. Considerable experience in Adult Protective Services investigating abuse, neglect or exploitation.