Court Liaison

## Description

**MISSION STATEMENT**

The Children’s Network of Hillsborough is committed to working with the community to protect children and preserve families.

**General Purpose of Job**

The Court Liaison Program will act as the connection between Children’s Network Hillsborough, Children’s Legal Services (CLS), Case Management, the Guardian Ad Litem Program (GAL) and the Courts. The Court Liaison must have a comprehensive understanding of child welfare statutes and Florida Administrative Codes. Specific responsibilities include attending hearings, contacting caregivers and families, providing assistance to Case Management Organizations in addition to attending all court related functions and meetings.

**QUALIFICATIONS**

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.

**Essential Duties and Responsibilities**

• The Court Liaisons will work collaboratively with Case Managers, Children’s Legal Services, the Guardian Ad Litem Program and the Judiciary as it relates to all court related processes.
• Foster relationships between case managers, children’s legal services, GAL, and the Court. Identify and understand what resources are available and build and maintain effective working relationships within a network of systems. Ability to network with, educate and involve system and community stakeholders.
• Provide technical assistance and training to Case Management on court procedures and conduct.
• Review and monitor court filings and other court related documents to ensure timeliness, accuracy and appropriate service interventions.
• Review and monitor files for both internal and external quality assurance standards.
• Attends judicial hearings related to Pro Se Motions and Transfers of Jurisdictions.
• Informs the courts of immediate service needs of the minor child to include but not limited to psychotropic medication, prescribed medication, Medicaid and other belongings.
• Reviews the Florida Safe Families Network (FSFN) and Utilization Management System (UM) to provide information to the court information related to the family and service interventions.
• Testifies in court as needed
• Reviews Judicial Systems (Hover) and other data systems in order to provide information to the Court and Case Managers, ensure timely filing of documents and track trends.
• Completes data tracking and produces periodic reports.
• Assist with the identification of staff training needs; provide and/or arrange training for new and existing staff on a regular basis.
• Ensure service delivery complies with contractual requirements.
• Advise supervisor of significant events and pertinent issues.
• Conduct oneself in a professional manner at all times.
• Maintain regular in-office attendance to perform essential job functions, collaborate effectively with team members, participate in meetings, and provide timely support to agency operations and service delivery.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support departmental and agency goals, as needed and appropriate to the position.

**Working HOurs**

Children’s Network of Hillsborough’s standard business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. This position is an in-office based position that averages 40 hours per week. Work hours may vary outside of these standard hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed to meet operational demands. All hours worked will be compensated in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and agency policies, including applicable overtime and other compensation requirements.

**Travel**

Travel within and outside of Hillsborough County is required.

**Training**

All employees must complete fifteen (15) hours of on-line or classroom Training on an annual basis. If the employee is a Certified Child Welfare Professional, Training hours must total twenty (20) annually.

**Supervisory Responsibilities**

This position does not have supervisory responsibilities

## Qualifications

**Education and Experience**

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Human Services or other related field;
• A minimum of two (2) years of child welfare related experience;
• Current Child Welfare Certification, preferred.

**Other Qualifications**

• Must have knowledge of child welfare processes and rules and be able to use Florida Safe Families Network on-line data.
• Ability to work as a team member
• Excellent organizational, communication and computer skills
• Ability to work flexible hours
• Sensitivity to the cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of the agency’s staff and clients
• Adherence to professional ethics

**Skills and Abilities**

Must be able to operate standard modern office machinery, including fax, telephone, calculator, computer, scanner, printer, and copier. Must be competent with Microsoft Office Suite programs, including Word, Excel, and Outlook. Must be competent with basic e-mail protocol and procedures including sending, receiving, replying, attachments, and meeting scheduling; excellent written and oral communication skill. Must abide by the highest standards of confidentiality.

**pre-employment requirements**

**Certificates, License, Registrations, backgrounds, drug screens, Etc.**

• Valid driver’s license required, with proof of insurance
• Child Welfare Certification is required for this position.
• Criminal background screening (fingerprinting) (Local Law Enforcement and FBI/FDLE)
• Drug Screening upon hire
• Children’s Network participates in E-Verify

**Other Requirements**

**LANGUAGE SKILLS**

Ability to read, analyze and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to top managers, public groups, and/or boards of directors.

**MATHEMATICAL SKILLS**