BY OLIVIA VELASQUEZ Informational Interview with DCFS Social Worker Maribel Rivera, MSW

Services The Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS) Offers Work with children and families to identify their needs and develop a plan for services which support families and assure safety and well-being for children. These services are designed to reduce the risk of abuse, find safe alternatives to out-of-home placement, and assure safety and permanency for children in care.

DCFS Contact Information The Department of Children & Family Services is located at 4 W 3 rd Ave Toppenish, WA Reception & Intake: (509) Reception & Intake: After Hours: Fax: (509) TTY:

Mrs. Rivera’s Job Duties Creating safely assessments. Reviewing referral information to assess the severity of a crisis as well as look for concerns of physical violence. Placement coordination. Back up intake services. Voluntary services.

What a typical day consist of for Mrs. Rivera Maribel is a very busy woman. I had to reschedule a interview appointment with her many times, in fact the day of the interview she had just ended a staff meeting and took a lunch break in order to be on schedule and fit in time for the interview with me. She spends her days meeting clients and writing assessments. Attending hearings at court. Scheduling and attending family meetings. Reviewing and sending referrals. Performing health and safely visits in client’s homes.

What Mrs. Rivera most likes about her job Rivera mentioned that she liked the fact that her job allows her to keep children safe. Job also allows her to make a small or huge difference in a child's life. Her position allows her to bring some positivity in a child’s life She likes having the piece of mind that a child was kept alive because of the services her agency provides.

What Mrs. Rivera least likes about her job The removal of children in certain situations. When she comes across relatives of abused children who are not supportive, and don’t make an effort to ensure the safely of a child.

If Mrs. Rivera could change one thing what would it be? Mrs. Rivera mentioned that she wears many hats within the agency and she has many obligations. She would like to focus her practice on just one position title rather then many.

According to Mrs. Rivera what is the cause of child abuse/neglect? Lack of parenting skills. Drug abuse history. Lacking social support. Isolation.

Mrs. Rivera’s Essential Elements of Intervention & Prevention Intervention: Providing a safely net around children Providing services and support to children Prevention: Family support treatment Educating parents about child abuse

Advise from Mrs. Rivera to Future Social Workers Building a relationship with a client is important. Strive to deliver effective and relevant services to clients. Collaborating with other agencies and networking is important. Ability to perform self care. She described to me that her job is at times very stressful and its important to recognize and set boundaries from work and home. She said the minute she gets home she doesn’t think of her job. Similar to when she's having issues at home, she leaves them at home and doesn’t bring them to work.

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