CARE DUAL STATUS INVESTIGATOR

Join Children’s Law Center of California (CLC) and become part of an amazing team of advocates and change-makers representing children and families impacted by the child welfare system. CLC is the largest children’s legal services organization in the nation, currently serving approximately 25,000 clients in the Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Placer County child welfare systems.

POSITION SUMMARY

Children's Law Center is seeking a CARE Dual Status Youth (DSY) Social Work Investigator. The DSY Investigator works collaboratively with the CARE DSY Attorney, CLC case-carrying attorneys, criminal and juvenile defense attorneys, probation officers, service providers, and the client to further the client's legal rights and to advocate for all needed services for the client and their family, including helping the youth navigate and successfully complete probation.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Visit Dual Status youth where they reside, including STRTPs, foster homes, relatives, temporary shelters, juvenile hall, probation camps, county jail, or at home.

· Establish and maintain communication and collaboration with DCFS, caregivers and service providers.

· Assess clients who are referred to the Dual Status Team and provide further ongoing assessment regarding service plans and case progress.

· Participate and advocate in scheduled MDT (multi-disciplinary team), PDM (post disposition), CFT (child family team) and other meetings.

· Attend dependency and juvenile justice hearings with the Dual Status youth.

· Communicate regularly regarding status of the case with the child's case carrying attorney, the DSY attorney, and firm management team.

· Participate in internal staffing and case reviews as scheduled by the Firm Director, or DSY attorney.

· Timely and accurately document all activities in appropriate databases.

· On occasion transport youth to appointments and/or court hearings or meetings in compliance with CLC policies.

· Provide coverage for meetings, hearings, and visits as needed.

At the request of the Firm Director, or DSY attorney, represent CLC at various committee meetings.

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

· The candidate must have excellent interviewing and client relationship building skills and demonstrated commitment to providing client-centered advocacy for Dual Status youth.

· The candidate should possess a working knowledge of resources and issues relevant to Dual Status clients, including but not limited to the effects of trauma, stages of change, relapse and recovery, SOGIE, and statutes and policies regarding agencies’ obligations to Dual Status youth.

· The candidate must have the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. The candidate should demonstrate a professional demeanor in behavior, appearance, and communication. Excellent time management skills, accountability, problem-solving, principled decision-making, and critical thinking ability are required.

· The candidate must have a record of effectively utilizing supervision and consultation to adhere to the professional and ethical standards as outlined in CLCCA training protocols.

· The candidate must have competence in all areas of the CLC investigator job description.

· Ability to occasionally travel out of state to meet with clients.

A BSW or MSW background is preferred.

BENEFITS & COMPENSATION

The pay range for this position is $23.98/hr - $40.83/hr, based on relevant experience as determined by CLC. CLC offers an excellent benefits package including 15 PTO days and 12 sick days in the first year, an up to 6% employer-matched retirement plan, and generous Family and Medical Leave and health care plans.