Part-Time Youth & Family Specialist - Child and Family Services

•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

•Provide 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 inter-agency collaboration; Coordinate dental, medical, psychological and community support for youth; Ensure that educational needs are met including advocacy for special education services

•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 client; Support foster families through the recruitment and training process; Participate in “matching process” and prepare foster parents for their work with the individual

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

•Manage 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 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; Document all contacts and incidents and ensure files are up to date; Provide updates to the court

•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.

REQUIREMENTS

•Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or a related field with the 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. Ability to utilize independent sound clinical judgement and decision making with regards to best interest of children and families

•Possession of a valid driver’s license and a good driving record; evidence of auto insurance and a clear criminal record check.

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

•Knowledge of federal, state and local regulations, protocols and/or procedures. 

•Ability to travel to meet client needs