Court Liaison

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.
• Other duties may be assigned as special projects may be requested.

Working Hours

CNH’s work week is Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week.  Your supervisor will advise you of your work hours; however, business office hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. This position is an in-office based position. 

Travel

Travel in and outside of Circuit 13 Hillsborough County may be required.

Training

All Certified Child Welfare Professionals must complete twenty (20) hours of pertinent in-service training on an annual basis.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position is not responsible for supervisory functions.

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 

Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.  Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent, to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Reasoning Ability 

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.  Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This job requires the ability to sit for extended periods; walk; stand; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel or crouch; talk and hear.  This job requires visual acuity sufficient to read and to operate standard modern office machines.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  This is administrative work in an indoor office environment with a moderate noise level (business machines, printers, computers, telephones).

ADA:       Children’s Network of Hillsborough, LLC will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

EEO:        Children’s Network of Hillsborough, LLC does not discriminate based on race, national origin, gender, religion, veteran status, or disability in employment, in provision of services, or in access to programs.

Children’s Network of Hillsborough, LLC is a Drug-Free Workplace.

If you are currently an employee of Children’s Network of Hillsborough, LLC, or one of our Case Management Organizations, it is necessary that you notify your current Supervisor, prior to applying.