Social Work/Counselor III - Assessment Specialist - Denver

• Conduct clinical interviews criminogenic risk assessments drug and alcohol screening and assessments mental health evaluations trauma assessment and neuropsychological screenings on juvenile offenders who are committed to the Department of Human Services Division of Youth Services. Administration and interpretation of the Youth Assessment Screening Instrument (YASI) theJuvenile Automated Substance Abuse Evaluation (JASAE) and University of California Los Angeles Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Reaction Index (UCLA PTSDRI) to assess specified areas of functioning including but not limited to: current and past delinquent behaviors mental health presentation criminogenic need areas family issues peer relationships selfperceptions use of free time level of maturity problem solving skills breadth of decisionmaking drug and alcohol involvement personal goals risk factors associated with neuropsychological deficits and identified skills/competencies.
• Conduct family interview to ascertain individualized family strengths needs perspective and expressed goals for treatment and DYS stay.
• Outline the assessment process to youth and families including expectations responding to questions and requesting signed authorization for release of information and disclosure statements.
• Communicate individualized assessment findings and treatment recommendations with interdisciplinary team members to arrive at collaborative decisions regarding Service Plan goals optional placement types and recommended treatment.
• Participate in the initial DYS Multidisciplinary team meeting to discuss all relevant assessment findings in order to arrive at consensus related to prescribed placement type service plan recommendations and transition goals based upon individualized youth and family needs.
• Incorporate all assessment findings into a comprehensive individualized and strengthsbased written Assessment Report. Enter all pertinent information into the Colorado Trails database.
• Perform a quality review all Assessment Reports prior to dissemination to ensure information contained in the report is accurate conveys data necessary for DCP/Treatment Plan development and represents correct grammar spelling and sentence structure.

• Review relevant collateral data previous evaluation findings legal documents and any other information received at time of commitment and incorporate the information into the finalized assessment report. Review Court Orders to ensure legality per Colorado Childrens Code. Contact DYS Quality Assurance designee and/or courts to obtain any necessary legal interpretation or clarification and request amendment to mittimi when warranted.
• Complete all commitment classification paperwork calculate security level designation and sentencing parameters and enter results into the Trails database system.
• Contact collateral agencies to verify or request additional information on newly committed juveniles. Review all information available in the judicial data base to ensure accuracy of mittimi additional/pending charges sentencing requirements court orders and/or restitution ordered and note any discovered discrepancies in the Assessment Report.
• Forward legal documents to DYS Quality Assurance designee for review and respond to requests for corrections in accordance with Assessment Services Quality Assurance protocol.

• Provide clinical oversight expertise quality assurance and direction regarding evaluation findings of juveniles committed to the Department of Human Services Division of Youth Services.
• Uphold effectiveness fit and functionality of currently utilized evaluation instruments including the Juvenile Automated Substance Abuse Evaluation (JASAE) and provide recommendations for improving statewide Assessment Services practices and policies. Participate in training topics related to assessment including but not limited to strengthsbased evaluation and goal setting effective report writing identification of mental health and criminogenic need factors psychological theories that apply to assessment and motivational interviewing skills. Participate as a representative for DYS Assessment Services at various mental health and juvenile justice conferences.
• Maintain ongoing statewide correspondence with Assessment Specialist colleagues service providers and client managers to ensure reliable communication and continuity of services provided across the DYS continuum of care.
• Maintain direct and ongoing communication with the Assessment Leadership and Psychologists to review uphold and improve ongoing criminogenic drug and alcohol neuropsychological and psychological assessment practices.
• Participate in Continuous Quality Improvement practices as outlined by DYS Assessment Services protocol. Communicate assessment program/system strengths and limitations to the Program Manager. Participate in program development activities and assigned committees designed to ensure continuous quality improvement and reinforcement of DYS Assessment Services initiatives.

• Keep current on all legal qualitative and professional requirements related to the position.
• Maintain all licensure and certifications required by the position. Participate in formal and informal opportunities to improve job performance.
• Participate in agency team meetings assessment unit meetings group consultation and regional meetings as required.
• Serve as assessment representative to various DYS and/or community agency/stakeholder task force committees.
• Participate in the exchange of information collaborative program advancement and recommendations aimed at improving Assessment Services.
• Act as a liaison between Assessment Services and Regional personnel. Upon request provide information to various groups regarding the operations and function of Assessment Services.

• Assist with coordinating the referral process for juvenile offenders who have completed their initial assessment process and are moving into placement.
• Maintain awareness and observance of all DYS policies and procedures.
• Ensure adherence to facility safety/security policies and procedures when interviewing and supervising juveniles.
• Maintain communication with assessment unit program assistant to ensure initial staffing schedule is completed in compliance with the timeframes mandated by CRS statutes and DYS policy.
• Comply with all DYS data requests. Must remain certified in CPR First Aid and Verbal Deescalation at all times. Fulfill all other duties as assigned.

• Current valid Colorado or State participating in the Social Work Licensure Compact licensure as a:

  • Licensed Social Worker (LSW) OR
  • Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) OR
  • Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) OR
  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
  • Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC)

• AND

  • One (1) year of experience with current valid licensure from a state participating in the Social Work Licensure Compact based on the work assigned to the position.

• Relatable experience as a current or previous State of Colorado employee.

• Full Background. CDHS employees (all Direct contact with vulnerable persons): CBI name check and fingerprint check ICON Colorado court database Medicare fraud database Reference Checks Professional License verification (licensure requirements) Drug Screen PREA (Division of Youth Services) Trails check (direct contact with children) CAPS (direct contact with adults Mental Health Institutes Regional Centers Veterans Community Living Centers).
• Must possess a valid unrestricted U.S. Drivers License
• Be a minimum of 21 years of age with no felony convictions or history of domestic violence
• Continued employment is contingent upon successful completion of the DYS Preservice Training Academy Field Training Program (FTO) and mandatory annual training in all subject areas.
• The Diana Screen a sexual risk screening tool is administered to all applicants to the Division of Youth Services (DYS) seeking positions of trust with children and teens to help ensure that ethical boundaries between children and adults are maintained. At the DYS the safety and protection of the youth who have been entrusted to us is our #1 priority
• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must (1) disclose that information on the application (2) provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify the applicant from the current position (3) provide the employee number from the applicants prior State employment. Absent extraordinary circumstances prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination and failure to provide this information will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS.

APPEAL RIGHTS:

If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.