On February 7, 2025, your UPE team met with the department in hopes of continuing discussions surrounding the Engagement Social Worker (ESW) Standards.
The last time UPE and the County met, UPE made some recommendations regarding changes to language and clarification of duties.
The portions of the policy that UPE requested clarification on were providing medical attention and the provision of food. Your UPE team also sought clarification on the policy section surrounding ESWs supporting the youth with pre-placement activities, such as interviews and visits. Management stated the spirit and intent of the language is for the ESW to facilitate, operate devices, provide emotional support (if requested by the youth), and answer questions. Also clarified was the preparation and cooking of food; ESWs are not expected to cook. UPE made it clear that this is not in the Social Worker's specifications. We also tasked the department with providing either prepared meals or a meal service that delivers prepared meals. The department stated they are looking into that. Regarding medical attention, the word minor was added. At no time are ESWs to act as medical professionals. Lastly, and by far the largest duty addressed was surrounding the searching of the youth and/or their belongings. At no time are ESWs to perform a search of the youth’s person, nor are they to ask for receipts of purchases made by the youth. With the permission of the youth the ESW is allowed to search a youth’s belongings and the space in which said belongings are kept.
Once all the changes that were agreed upon by UPE and the department have been made to the policy, UPE will review for accuracy and the department will publish.
Thank you for your advocacy,
Eric Booker, Mike Gilbert, Shawn Singh, Sarah Singleton, and Jennifer Wygand
