Part-Time Youth & Family Specialist

Job Details

Description

Demonstrate a human centered, strength-based, and trauma informed philosophy by treating all clients, families and collaterals in a non-judgmental and respectful

manner while building on their strengths.

Create a trusting and safe relationship with the client and encourages personal growth of the client

Advocate for the youth’s needs to ensure equitable and quality care

Provide clinical case management working in multiple systems and settings providing services to foster children, foster families and biological families

Depending on level of training, provides group and/or individual counseling and coaching services, mediation and guidance to children and their biological and/or

foster families.

Facilitates supervised family visits, and provides parent coaching as appropriate

Consistently demonstrate discretion and independent judgment with regard to assessing and making decisions around the best interest for children and families

Undertake the responsibility of “on-call” duty as assigned and is responsive to crises independently either by phone and\or in person, demonstrating a calm and

professional approach while assuring safety for all involved.

Facilitate treatment meetings/ foster care review, and invites the appropriate attendees, while ensuring effective interagency collaboration

Coordinate dental, medical, psychological and community support for youth

Ensure that educational needs are met including advocacy for special education services; Attend all meetings called by collaterals and support a team approach to best

serve the needs of children, youth and families

Recruitment and Foster Family Support

Support and participate in the development and implementation of strategic plans for program-specific foster care recruitment in conjunction with foster care

recruitment across the Children and Families Service.

Recruit qualified foster homes on a continuous basis to meet the growing and challenging needs of clients

Support foster families through the recruitment and training process.

Participate in “matching process” and prepares foster parents for their work with the child/youth and family of origin

Promote the program through community networking and positive representation to internal and external committees, government entities, etc.

Maintain an excellent relationship with state or private funding sources and other state authorities responsible for regulating foster homes or child placing agencies

Develop and maintain expertise regarding regulatory requirements for foster parent qualification and renewal including record checks, evaluations and

updating of file materials

Complete all documentation required by state licensing regulations in a timely manner, including but not limited to home studies, background checks , annual

foster care review and waivers

Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein to help meet the goals of the program or the agency

Record Keeping, Reporting, Trainings And Meetings

Document all contacts and incidents and ensure files are up to date

Develop and complete assessments/homestudies, service plans x plans, progress notes and any other necessary documentation

Provide updates to the court both in writing and in person

Maintain organized up to date case/foster care files in accordance with contractual standards, state and federal law

Keep supervisor updated on any incidents or concerns involving clients and foster families

Attend weekly staff meetings and any other meetings or events required by the Agency

Complete all mandatory training on a timely basis to meet certification standards, including 20-30 hours of specialized training each year including ethics, current

practice and needs of the service population.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or a related field with 1 year experience and LSW licensure eligibility

Ability to work within the Mission of the agency

Significant experience working with children with social/emotional/physical problems desirable. Mediation and conflict resolution skills helpful.

Word Processing/computer Skills Preferred.

Open to new ideas and desire to grow professionally. Flexibility in thinking and scheduling.

Possession of a valid driver’s license and a good driving record.

Ability to utilize independent sound clinical judgement and decision making with regards to best interest of children and families

Ability to work flexible hours and be available to meet for emergency situations

Ability to effectively manage client behavior, foster independence, and maintain perspective and a sense of humor.

Ability to handle people and situations with compassion, diplomacy, and tact.

Ability to work independently by setting priorities; organizing resources and effectively performing tasks in a timely manner.

Ability to provide documentation such as valid driver's license, evidence of automobile insurance and a clear criminal record check.

Ability to work cooperatively in a team environment and to problem solve unexpected/unpredictable circumstances calmly.

Knowledge of federal, state and local regulations, protocols and procedures.

Ability to travel to meet client needs

Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills

Ability to use independent judgement and discretion

Physical/Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. The employee is frequently

required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms.

Required to sit for long periods. Infrequent light physical effort required

Requires driving own vehicle to various sites.

Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to problem solve, make decisions, interpret data and organize. Ability to do detailed work with high

degree of concentration. Ability to work under stress or in a fast-paced environment