What is a CPS Family Based Safety Services (FBSS) Caseworker?
A CPS FBSS Caseworker is an important part of a close knit unit that performs advanced social work related to protecting children while maintaining the children within the family. An FBSS caseworker has a very challenging job that can be stressful at times -- but there are few occupations that offer more opportunities to learn new things about families, your community, and yourself.
What is “social work” as it relates to CPS?
Social work means empowering families to make the changes needed to protect their children from child abuse and/or neglect and to ensure the safety and well being of children in the State of Texas. It includes, but isn’t limited to:
- Evaluating and recommending appropriate actions necessary to resolve family emotional and/or physical stress situations, which cause child abuse or neglect;
- Engaging families to identify their own strengths and needs to achieve safety for their children while preserving the family; and
- Building community relationships with law enforcement agents, therapists, court personnel, and representatives from various agencies and organizations.
Sounds good, but what kinds of things will I really be doing?
A CPS FBSS caseworker routinely:
- Visits clients' homes to assess risk to children for abuse/neglect, plan for child safety, and strengthen families so they can function without CPS intervention.
- Responds quickly in a crisis situations.
- Discusses issues with families related to income, money management, and personal relationships that they will probably consider personal and private.
- Discusses matters of human sexuality and sexual exploitation of children in a direct and objective manner.
- Interacts objectively with “caretakers” who have abused and/or neglected children in their care.
- Encounters clients who are angry and/or scared.
- Works as part of a team, which involves helping with crisis situations relating to other caseworkers’ assignments as well as following the directions of the courts and agency.
- Helps identify resources and community supports available to the family.
- Educates clients to change previous behavior that led to child abuse and/or neglect and empower clients to identify ways to make those changes.
- Is willing to remove a child from a dangerous situation.
- Spends about 40% of your time documenting casework activity.
- Works under constant time pressure created by the nature and volume of the cases, prioritize efforts, and work flexible work hours.
- Maintains a balance of objectivity and empathic understanding in dealing with families living in stressful and crisis situations.
- Learns about cultures and lifestyles different from their own and understands how to determine child safety and well-being within that context.
What are the job qualifications?
To be a caseworker you must have a 4-year bachelors degree, though it doesn’t have to be specifically in social work.
What would my salary be?
This position may be filled at any level from a CPS Specialist II to a CPS Specialist IV. The starting salary range is $2,689.43 to $3,029.64 per month and will be based on the qualifications of the selected applicant.
I think I could do this job, but will I get specifically trained on what to do?
YES! You will have lots of great training before beginning your job. Though you will be doing visits to clients on your own you will have ongoing support from your co-workers and supervisor any time you need it.
Are their opportunities for career advancement?
YES! You will receive ongoing training to prepare you for career progression. There are various levels of certification. For more information about certification go to http://www2.uta.edu/ssw/ccw/psti/fps.html
Condition of Employment
Must possess and maintain a valid Texas Motor Vehicle Operator's License. CPS will also request a Criminal Background Check and CPS History check on all applicants.