What are the responsibilities and job description for the Foster Care Family Specialist position at Berkshire Farm Center?
Job Title: Family Specialist
The Family Specialist is responsible for coordinating a comprehensive case management plan to ensure the safety, permanency and well-being of youth in foster care.
Key Responsibilities:
- Conducts assessment of family's strengths and needs, assessing problem areas and utilizing various treatment modalities and resources to effect growth and change.
- Participates in development, implementation and ongoing evaluation of comprehensive treatment and discharge plan.
- Develops alternative placement or permanency resources for youth that may not return to their families, completing a comprehensive discharge summary at least eight weeks prior to discharge.
- Delivers effective case management services, including ensuring counseling sessions are scheduled as needed and children receive required medical and dental examinations, tracking and monitoring services provided, and completing all documentation in a timely and comprehensive manner.
- Ensures compliance with confidentiality standards, parental consent and necessary release of information.
- Conducts casework contacts with families, as needed but at least twice a month, in their homes and community settings to focus on treatment goals, engaging youth and family by developing effective and caring relationships, and ensuring children are maintained in safe, secure environments.
- Acts as a bridge between youth and family, and foster care treatment teams through telephone, face-to-face contacts, family conferences, comprehensive treatment reviews, etc., attending treatment review meetings.
- Assists with reunification of youth with family, community, school by implementing permanent supports and resources, including but not limited to identifying and working with a mentor, setting up after-school recreational and job opportunities, and developing a relapse prevention program.
Requirements:
- Minimum Bachelor's degree in human services or related field.
- Prefer 1 year of experience working with at-risk youth, families, and children from ages 0-21, social work field.
- Must be able to work a flexible schedule with variable hours, including day, evening, weekend, holiday, and subject to call hours.
- Valid Driver's License, with acceptable driving history to the Agency. Must own a reliable vehicle. Travel is required, with ability to coordinate and plan travel for weekly visits and appointments with youth in an efficient manner.
- Ability to work with economically and culturally diverse population.
- Skills: Ability to handle crisis intervention in a solution-focused manner, as well as communication skills, including written, verbal, and listening skills, customer service experience, good writing skills, strong communication and engagement skills.
