Description

Position Summary

This position is responsible for the management of the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths Assessment (CANS). Primary responsibilities include scheduling, coordinating and conducting the CANS interviews and assessments for each child in care. They will also be responsible for documenting and communicating the CANS assessment results to the child’s permanency and placement teams.

Essential Roles and Responsibilities

Collaboration Recognizes the purpose and goals of the team and makes valued contributions in order to assist own team or project to achieve goals and/or objectives.

• Schedules, coordinates and conducts the CANS assessment interviews in the child’s home, community or via telehealth. Interviews all required participants including the child (when verbal), the child’s permanency worker and caregiver (as applicable) and any other optional parties as deemed appropriate for the situation and need.

• Conducts the assessment at a location and time which is most convenient for the child and family and may be outside of regular business hours.

• Arranges formal interpreter services as needed.

• Reviews research, evaluations and literature on the use of and administration of the CANS assessment.

• Provides guidance, technical assistance, and recommendations to agency staff and the community on the CANS assessment, placement policy and procedures.

• Works with 3rd party contractors to provide input on the use and efficacy on the use of the CANS assessment as part of the Texas Child-Centered Care System.

Communication Actively and attentively listens to children, clients, families, and staff to gain a better understanding and avoid miscommunications. Comprehends written and verbal information and direction to take appropriate action. Communicates intentions, ideas, and feelings openly and respectfully through directly through accurate, clear, concise, and timely messages orally and/or in writing to effectively inform an audience. Adjusts to the needs of audiences to ensure the message is understood. Delivers information effectively to internal and external stakeholders in written and verbal format.

• Communicates CANS results to the child’s placement team.

• Provides guidance and technical assistance to staff on the goals, use of and outcomes of the CANS assessment.

• Works to resolve any disputes with agency staff related to the results and recommendations from the CANS assessment

• Serves as liaison to staff and creates job aids and other educational materials to ensure staff’s understanding of the CANS and placement process

• Prepares and conducts presentations to agency staff and the community, as requested, related to the CANS assessment and placement process.

Complexity and Judgement Identifies and collects data to determine the relationships, trends, and issues to make logical and factual decisions. Uses data available information and works to identify a solution for resolving the problem. Generates new ideas and seeks on-going development. Adjusts to changing circumstances and how to move forward effectively and efficiently taking responsibility and not shifting blame.

• Serves as the Subject Matter Expert for the CANS assessment and Texas Child-Centered Care System to ensure compliance with State and Federal regulations and Child Care Licensing Standards.

• Interprets State and Federal regulations, Child Care Licensing Standards and program policy.

• Researches deficiencies and makes recommendations for corrective actions as needed.

Computer Literacy Utilizes technology and information systems used by the program or department to accomplish outcomes and goals. Alters method of working to accommodate changes in technological developments. Ensures accuracy and timeliness of data entered into systems, ensure that all relevant information exists in their records (e.g. client, family, employee, billing, etc.). Follows security standards and technology policies.

• Documents all case activity as per program requirements.

• Enters all assessment information into the eCANS web-based application.

• Documents resulting recommendations in the DFPS IMPACT system.

Creativity and Foresight Generates new ideas related to their role, process, and/or functions. Tries proven solutions to problems but will search for new methods when challenged. Is a creative contributor in brainstorming settings. Understands how their position and duties impact the program, service line, and the organization.

Equity Understands and is willing to accept the practices, customs, values and norms of other individuals or groups. Appreciates and respects the differences of others and looks for ways to gain new knowledge and understanding of individuals and groups through learning.

Finance Has an overall awareness of and is mindful about expenses (e.g. purchasing supplies, submitting expenses timely, etc.) as it relates to the program/department. * NOTE: may not apply to all direct care/individual contributor positions.

• Recommends resources to improve outcomes.

Leadership Seeks to serve first, then to lead. Shows genuine care and concern for the families and communities who engage with our services. Engages with team members through active listening and sharing of prior knowledge. Builds and maintains positive relationships with clients, co-workers, and organizational leadership. Acts with integrity and accountability to self and others.

• Provides guidance and technical assistance to agency staff and the community on the CANS assessment, placement policy and procedures.

• Provides guidance and performs complex consultative services and assessment work, specifically related to administering the CANS Assessment.

• Monitors, reviews and evaluates personal monthly job productivity to meet or exceed expectations.

Professionalism Demonstrates credibility through work ethic, personal accountability, professional image, and ethical behavior. Displays dependability by being present and prepared for work, and adhering to workplace policies and procedures. Maintains professional boundaries with children, clients, and families as it relates to their roles, interactions, and behaviors.

• Maintains appropriate boundaries between professional and personal issues.

• Establishes effective working relationships with co-workers.

Support Focus Demonstrates the ability to apply the values of Pressley Ridge and the principles of Re-Education. Provides excellent internal customer service to departments and programs. Work products are accurate and complete. Reliably assists and provides appropriate service and information to meet needs; follows up when needed; resolves issues. Seeks to be trained and informed in order to clearly understand the internal customers’ needs, problems and issues.

• Integrates information into the CANS assessment from multiple sources by conducting interviews with children and with family/caregivers and incorporating information as appropriate from the referral source, treatment providers, school, rater observations and record reviews.

• Utilizes a person-centered approach in all processes, including the interviews (i.e. conversational style that is individualized, empathetic and empowering.)

• Works with 3rd party contract providers to review and provide input to on-going Texas Child-Centered Care System Continuous Quality and Assurance Improvement evaluation.

• Coordinates internally and externally to implement findings and recommendations from the evaluation.

• Works with the Continuous Quality Assessment and Improvement contractors to provide input on the use and efficacy on the use of the CANS assessment.

Risk Management and Safety Applies knowledge to mitigate risk through identifying, assessing, and managing risk that could negatively impact the program/department. Maintains self-awareness of requirements around safe work environments including staying current with all required trainings to ensure safety for self, children, clients, families, and/ or employees.

Time Management Translates objectives into effective and efficient plans that are clear and concise. Meets deadlines and achieves goals in a timely manner, despite obstacles encountered, by organizing, re-prioritizing, and replanning.

• Monitors CANS reports to ensure children, youth and young adults are receiving CANS assessments on a determined frequency and within expected timeframes.

• Performs related work as assigned.

  Essential Qualifications

Education/Certifications/Licensure:

• Successful completion of the Texas CANS Child Welfare certification within 90 days of hire date, included as part of the position’s training and required annually thereafter.

• Completes CANS annual certification requirements through the Praed Foundation.

• Valid driver’s license and auto insurance.

Clearances:

• State Police, FBI, and Child Abuse Clearances; CPSL Mandated Reporter-Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse training per state regulation.

• Qualifications

Education

Required

• Bachelors or better in Social Work

Experience

Required

• 2 years: Full time consultative, social service, professional or technical work.

Preferred

• Experience in CPS Program, CANS and understanding of person-centered care.