SAAU Caseworker

Description/Job Summary

The Specialized Adolescent Assessment Unit (SAAU) responds to adolescents (aged 12 - 18) that would potentially be processed under General Protective Service intake. It provides assessment and intervention services for adolescents and their families', originally referred to the Child Welfare System. Families referred to the Specialized Adolescent Unit are often experiencing severe parent/child conflict, school/truancy issues, pre-delinquent behaviors, and drug/alcohol issues. The adolescents are potentially at risk of physical and emotional abuse, are exhibiting dependency issues by virtue of the legal definition, and/or are on the verge of being push-outs or runaways. Workers assess the risk and safety factors, review service needs, and develop plans with the family to meet the identified goals, promote a safe environment, preserve family stability, and prevent unnecessary placement of children.

Responsibilities/Duties

AdministrativeThe caseworker will comply with Catholic Social Services policies and procedures, and established regulations.

The caseworker will maintain consistent and positive connections with contract providers and other community agencies

Direct Case ManagementThe caseworker will provide direct case management duties including, but not limited to advocacy and/or supportive services to individual clients and their families to aid them in achieving more satisfactory adjustment to their problem or situations, in a rapid, in-person manner. This caseworker will maintain a caseload size dependent upon type of case.

The caseworker will obtain information from Luzerne County Children and Youth on the clients, clients families, and significant other necessary for the identification of social, economic, emotional, health or physical problems, and assisting clients in obtaining a wide variety of services and/or treatment.

The caseworker will work cooperatively with other social service agencies, courts, Children and Youth, medical facilities, etc. in planning to meet the needs of clients and will assist the clients in utilizing their resources.

The caseworker will meet formally weekly or biweekly with their direct supervisor to discuss program cases etc.

The caseworker will perform related duties as requested or assigned.

The caseworker will ensure that all documentation is completed professionally, effectively, and in a timely fashion to be reviewed by their immediate supervisor.

The caseworker will undergo an evaluation of job performance on a yearly basis.

Required Qualifications

The position requires a Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in the Human Services/Social Work field with at least three years of direct case management services.

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