Adult Protective Services/Court Services Lead (HHS)

Walworth-County; Elkhorn (WI); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Walworth County Aging & Disability Resource Center seeks a dedicated social worker to respond to elder abuse, coordinate comprehensive court-ordered evaluations, and monitor cases for individuals in long-term care programs.

Responsibilities include leading multidisciplinary teams, conducting assessments, and providing ongoing case management with a focus on safeguarding vulnerable adults and ensuring compliant service delivery.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social work or related field and at least two years of relevant prior experience.
• Knowledge of DHS Chapter 34, 46, 54 and 55 preferred.
• Knowledge of Trauma Informed Care Principles is essential.

Responsibilities

• Respond to and assess abuse/neglect reports and determine safety of victims.
• Provide case management for clients in long-term care programs.
• Coordinate and facilitate multidisciplinary teams and community collaborations.
• Educate stakeholders and providers about abuse/neglect statutes and requirements.

Skills

Communication

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Case management

Crisis assessment

Education

Master’s degree in social work

Tools

Telephone

Calculator

Fax machine

Computer/Printer

Job description

This position is responsible for the response to reports of abuse and neglect to the elderly and other adults at risk of abuse, coordination and completion of comprehensive evaluations ordered by the courts, completion of annual protective placement reviews and providing on-going case monitoring for individuals placed at ICF-MRs and state centers. This position monitors and supports a pool of volunteer guardians.

SUPERVISION

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

SCHEDULE

• Division: Aging & Disability Resource Center
• Days: Monday - Friday
• Work Hours: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
• Hours Per Shift: 8
• Shifts Per Pay Period: 10
• Position FTE: 1.00

• Assign “screened in” elder abuse referrals to Adult Protective Service Specialists.
• Serve as the lead facilitator of the I-Team, which is an Interdisciplinary Team of law enforcement, APS staff, community stakeholders, MCO’s, ICA’s Walworth County Corporation Counsel and Walworth County Behavioral Health staff.
• Convene a Financial Abuse Specialist Team (FAST). The F.A.S.T. team is a multi-disciplinary team comprised of Adult Protective Services, County Corporation Counsel, Law Enforcement, Financial Institutions and District Attorney personnel.
• Oversee the Coordinate Community Response group including development of agendas and facilitation of meetings.
• Complete annual protective placement reviews for persons who are elderly, physically disabled or intellectually disabled and are enrolled in a long-term care program.
• Provide on-going case management for clients in ICF-MRs and state centers and assist with community placements of these clients.
• Respond to and assess abuse/neglect reports – interview individuals alleging maltreatment, assess and determine safety of victim and determine disposition of allegations.
• Provide short-term case management services for assigned caseload, including face-to-face contact, in home or community.
• Conduct community outreach educating the general public about elder abuse, financial exploitation, scams, etc.
• Consult, coach and collaborate with team members, families, individuals, providers, and Health & Human Services staff.
• Respond to crisis situations and provide necessary services and interventions.
• Collaborate with other programs/individuals across department to ensure coordination of care.
• Assist consumers with Power of Attorney of Healthcare and Finance, and providing notary services when needed.
• Complete affidavits and petitions for Guardianship, Conservatorship and Protective Placements.
• Complete paperwork related to Review of Conduct of Guardian, Successor Guardian. Removal of Guardian and Review of Conduct of POA. Represent HHS in court hearings.
• Collaborate with Corporation Counsel for cases being referred for court proceedings.
• Facilitate consumer access to service. Coordinate continuity of care with alternative providers.
• Participate in trainings to update knowledge and skills to maintain standards and ensure certification/personal license.
• Incorporate current best practice models into daily service provisions work with individuals/families.
• Ensure compliance with program standards and maintain necessary documentation as required by Walworth County Department of Health & Human Services, Department of Health Services (DHS) and state/federal statutes.
• Input information about elder/adult-at-risk investigations into the web-based Wisconsin Reporting for Adult Protective Services (WRAPS) as mandated by the State.
• Document consumer interactions and interventions in the HHS electronic health record (ie. Netsmart).
• Educate financial institutions, law enforcement and other agencies regarding abuse/neglect statutes and requirements.
• Participate in Long Term Care division functions related to the general operation including trainings, supervision, progress meetings for consumers, division/program staff meetings, supervision, resource development, marketing and outreach to the general public.
• Serve on related work groups, projects, committees and/or community projects, as assigned.
• Demonstrate a commitment to county safety and risk management efforts.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

Master’s degree (bachelor’s degree with experience accepted) in social work or related field and at least two years of relevant prior experience. Documented experience working with seniors and people with disabilities and knowledge of DHS Chapter 34, 46, 54 and 55 preferred. Knowledge of Trauma Informed Care Principles is essential.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Valid Wisconsin driver’s license
• Proof of minimum liability auto insurance coverage.
• Must be able to provide a reliable personal vehicle to be used for business related travel as needed.
• Wisconsin Social Worker license or certification - A temporary certificate will meet the requirements for initial employment when an individual meets all the qualifications for the permanent certificate except for passing the required examinations. A permanent license/certificate is required for continued employment within nine months of the date of hire; failure to attain said license or certification will be grounds for termination. Any lapse in Wisconsin Social Work license/certification is cause for immediate termination.

Interactions and Communications

Provides specialized information and/or recommendations to others regarding an area of expertise. This may include law enforcement agencies, court system, hospitals, community agencies, and/or the general public.

Decision Making

This position has authority to make decisions that are consistent with policies and precedents; supervision and managerial direction is available as requested. These decisions directly impact performance in the job and/or the work unit within the department and information is provided with additional research and observations which contributes to the decision making process.

Thinking and Problem Solving

In relation to established procedures, protocols and policies of the County, challenges in this position tend to be diverse, but are typically covered by precedent or established practice. Must be able to utilize critical thinking skills and at times have to make difficult safety related decisions.

Tools & Equipment Used

• Telephone Copy Machine
• Calculator Personal Computer/Printer
• FAX Machine Electronic Mobile Devices

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, unclean homes, outside weather conditions, and extreme heat. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate and the employee is expected to travel to consumer homes and/or other agencies/locations as part of their normal work duties.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and sit. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

TO INCLUDE

• Formal Walworth County Electronic Application
• Education & Experience Review
• Verification of Driver License
• Verification of State Licensure
• Oral Department Interview
• Reference Check
• Background Check
• Post Offer Physical Exam
• Drug Screen
• Other job related tests may be required.