(Posted 2024 February)

Meet Emily!

Position: Social Services Specialist II, Protection and Preservation Services, within the Children Youth and Families Division.

I have been in this position with the county since July 2022, and at first it was a bit of a shift for me. After completing an undergraduate degree in Psychology at Marymount University, I worked as a residential counselor with at-risk youth and helped in their treatment and diversion, keeping them out of the justice system through programming, supervision, and supports.

Through that work, I collaborated with a lot of local department of social services’ social workers, and I saw first-hand the impact they have on a youth's well-being and the work they did to make sure the youth had a safe home environment to return to. 

Over time, I decided to help address some of the root causes and family challenges that contribute to the teens’ risky behaviors bringing them into the residential center.

So now, as a social services specialist with DFS, I work with families to ensure the safety and well-being of children. I begin working with a family on an ongoing basis after an abuse investigation is completed and it is decided that the family could use some additional support to reach stability. 

I help families build their strengths by partnering with them to develop and follow a service plan that focuses on identifying their strengths and protective factors to address the needs in the home. The service plan has specific goals which are met through a variety of therapies and interventions.

I advocate for vulnerable populations. A big part of my job is partnering with families and connecting them to the appropriate levels of support to build on their resilience. This enables families to build on their strengths and increase protective factors in their home.

This work is not done alone. I often work with multidisciplinary teams that include school social workers, juvenile court officials, mental health professionals, and the family’s social and natural supports. I also conduct home and school visits to meet with children, caregivers, and other relatives to conduct safety assessments, mediation and crisis intervention, and psychoeducation (teaching families problem-solving and communication skills and providing education and resources in an empathetic and supportive environment). 

I find it incredibly rewarding when families feel empowered and supported in this process while making positive changes to achieve family preservation.  

If this sounds like work that would be meaningful for you, Join Us!

DFS is a great place to work. You’ll get to work with a diverse clientele with varying needs. You’ll get lots of exposure to different ways to support members of the community, and you’ll utilize different practice approaches when working with families to help to maintain child safety and well-being. 

There are many opportunities for professional growth and developing important skills that will make you a stronger social worker. Your co-workers and supervisors are supportive and encourage a growth mindset.

There is also a great work-life balance that allows for self-care. When I go home for the day, I unwind by taking cycling classes, spending time with family and friends (and my cat), planning trips, or watching classic movies! I can come back to work the next day ready to make a difference. 

Working in child welfare can be challenging, rewarding, and fulfilling, and I can’t think of a better place to do the work.