OCOK Intake Specialist

Position Function:

Responsible for processing referrals and placing youth referred to the Agency by TDFPS and other agencies. Promotes the well-being of children, participates in staff meetings/trainings and coordinates with staff from other agencies involved in providing services to children. Performs the following duties directly: Receives and reviews youth referral and intake information from DFPS staff. Accepts and coordinates appropriate placement of youth in properly trained and licensed facilities within timelines required. Handles crisis calls and emergencies which are called in to the OCOK intake line.

Requirements:

Education: A Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, or related degree, is required.

Experience: A minimum of one year of experience working with children, youth and families in foster care system or related experience with some knowledge of the regulations that guide residential services is required.

Functional: Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with youth, families, collaborating agencies, community professionals, and OCOK/ACH Child and Family Services staff. Must be willing to increase knowledge in the application of all related standards that govern residential services. Must demonstrate good organization skills as well as the ability to develop systems that support compliance. Must demonstrate an ability to continue learning through supervision, continuing education and experience, and work cooperatively using a team approach. Must be willing to put in practice Trauma-Informed Care principals.

Working Conditions:

Position includes interaction with parents, guardians, and conservators, as well as youth with behavioral problems, including possible physical aggression. Will be required to travel in order to attend meetings, training, or conduct business off site. Must have a valid driver's license and meet agency’s underwriting standards if driving on agency business. Will be required to transport clients. A personal vehicle is required for travel.

Exposure to Confidential Information:

The Intake Specialist will have access to confidential records including youth’s files, foster care/adoption records, and foster/adopt parent information. Must maintain confidentiality and follow policies related to personnel records and client records.

Key Expectations/Responsibilities:

• Maintain high ethical standards which are outlined in the ACH Child and Family Services Code of Ethics.
• A commitment to empowering others to solve their problems.
• Value a nurturing family as the ideal environment for a person.
• A conviction about the capacity of people to grow and change.
• The ability to establish a respectful relationship with persons served to help them gain skills and confidence.
• The ability to work collaboratively with other personnel and/or service providers and professionals.
• The capacity to maintain a helping role and to intervene appropriately to meet service goals.
• The ability to set appropriate limits
• Represent ACH in a professional manner at all times.

Planning

• Participates in meetings with collaborating partners and agencies as assigned.
• Participates in other administrative and planning meetings as needed to facilitate referral and placement.

Implementation

• Receives and reviews client referrals and intake information from TDFPS and other agencies.
• Coordinates and assists to locate and arrange for appropriate placement of clients in out of home care.
• Serves as a liaison for all Agency children placed in residential and psychiatric facilities.
• Ensures placements adhere to applicable OCOK policy and procedures and other Contract outcomes.
• Ensures an accurate system of identifying available resources to satisfy youth placements.
• Maintains an up-to-date listing of all Agency network providers and licensing capacity.
• Assigned to shifts that enable the Agency to provide 24-hour Region 3b intake and placement services.
• Ensures children are placed in properly trained and licensed facilities with appropriate capacity to accept placement.
• Handles crisis calls and emergencies called in to the Agency’s intake line.
• Completes all intake and placement documentation for the youth, and forwards reports containing descriptive, analytical and evaluative content as needed.
• Ensures child assessment tools are properly used to correctly evaluate children referred to the Agency for placements or services.
• Ensures quantified and measurable data is used during the child assessment phase to make appropriate decisions regarding the type and level of placement for the child.
• Promotes safety and encourages the least-restrictive and shortest length of out-of-home placement for children.
• Communicates youth’s needs and concerns to residential program and/or child placing agency.
• Ensures contract outcome measures are met with emphasis on the placement activities.
• Refrains from assuming any duty that is unrelated to and/or interferes with the responsibilities of the position.
• Advocates, promotes and practices cultural sensitivity and responsiveness in all day-to-day interactions.
• Develops, promotes and practices teamwork in all activities.
• Completes other duties as assigned.

Training and Supervision

• Attends relevant in-service training offered at ACH to expand knowledge of services and the application of clinical skills.
• Attends mandatory trainings such as, but not limited to, Emergency Behavior Intervention (SAMA), CPR and First Aid, Psychotropic Medications and Trauma-Informed Care training.
• Communicates regularly with supervisor and seek supervision when appropriate.
• Attends continuing education necessary to expand knowledge and maintain certifications or licenses.
• Notifies supervisor properly when absent.
• Completes assignments on time.
• Establishes effective working relationships with co-workers.
• Deals satisfactorily with and acknowledge work-related stress.
• Maintains appropriate boundaries between professional and personal issues.
• Adheres to all policies and procedures of the agency and its accrediting and standard setting bodies, such as Council on Accreditation (COA) and state licensing.
• Respects the dignity and worth of all clients and families.
• Maintains client confidentiality per agency standards and all applicable codes of ethics.
• Uses outside professional collaboration and intra-agency teamwork appropriate to the agency.
• Learns, understands, and supports the agency mission, purpose and function.
• Is prepared to address appropriate issues during supervisory conferences and meetings.
• Accepts direction from supervisor and implement supervisor’s suggestions and instructions.
• Understands the job description in relation to other agency positions.
• Continues to work to improve skills needed for position held.
• Considers the environmental, cultural, safety, diversity issues and needs of the clients.
• Identifies and understand the strengths, abilities and competencies of the clients.

#OCOK1

Education: A Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, or related degree, is required.

Experience: A minimum of one year of experience working with children, youth and families in foster care system or related experience with some knowledge of the regulations that guide residential services is required.

Functional: Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with youth, families, collaborating agencies, community professionals, and OCOK/ACH Child and Family Services staff. Must be willing to increase knowledge in the application of all related standards that govern residential services. Must demonstrate good organization skills as well as the ability to develop systems that support compliance. Must demonstrate an ability to continue learning through supervision, continuing education and experience, and work cooperatively using a team approach. Must be willing to put in practice Trauma-Informed Care principals.