Behavior Specialist - Child Welfare

Do you enjoy helping others? Would you like a career that provides you an opportunity to help families and to make a difference in the lives of children? Join us in creating a brighter future for children and their families.

At Kids Central we believe every child deserves to grow up in a safe and loving home that provides a path to a bright future. However, sometimes children, and their families, need additional support to ensure their safety and well-being. That is where we step in.

The Behavior Specialist is responsible for assisting in determining the needs and services for children who have been referred for the Tier Process. The Behavior Specialist will work with the Children’s Mental Health Specialist and refer any children who are receiving a tier level to the Children’s Mental Health Specialist for a formalized Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) to determine if a higher level of care, such as Specialized Therapeutic Foster Care (STFC), Specialized Therapeutic Group Home (STGH), Statewide Inpatient Psychiatric Placement (SIPP) is more appropriate.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Complete the Behavior Tool for children who have been referred for the Tier Process to determine if the youth is eligible.
• Contact any parties pertinent to the child whom the tool is being completed on to obtain background information (i.e.: Family Care Manager, Guardian ad Litem, school personnel, caregiver/provider, etc.).
• Follow all time frames when receiving the referral, scheduling the assessment, contacting the pertinent parties, completing the Behavior Tool, submitting for approval, notifying the caregiver/provider and supplying the tool to the FCM and any other required parties.
• Schedule a MDT with the Family Care Manager and caregiver/provider (at a minimum) to review the results and recommendations of the Behavior Tool.
• Ensure the referrals are made for the children after completion of the MDT within the required time frames.
• This list of functions is not intended to be exhaustive. Kids Central reserves the right to revise this job description as needed to comply with the actual job requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education/Experience

Master’s degree in related field and three years' experience

Licensure/Certifications

Ability to successfully clear a Level II background screen

Valid Florida driver’s license and insurable by the agency’s current insurance carrier

Crisis Intervention

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Ability to meet Organizational Required Competency standards
• Excellent working knowledge of community resources
• Establishes and maintains linkages with businesses, organizations, groups, vendors and individuals within the community
• Excellent communications skills (verbal and written, including correct grammar, spelling and punctuation)
• Skilled in Microsoft Office (MS Excel, MS Word, MS Outlook)
• Skilled in time management and prioritization
• Demonstrated ability to deal effectively with difficult situations in a culturally diverse population
• Ability to work flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends
• Ability to travel locally up to 100%
• Ability to safely operate motor vehicle

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is generally in home but may also be required to visit other settings such as schools, courts, civic meetings or other agencies. The employee may be sitting for extended periods of time or may walk the halls escorting clients to and from sessions. The noise level is usually moderate.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and to reach with hands and arms. The employee must also frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. The employee is regularly required to bend/stoop and kneel. Repetitive motion is also required. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Employees must have the ability to move rapidly to get out of the way of an agitated client and to access client homes over difficult terrain, including the possibility of climbing steps or moving about homes that may not be in good condition.

ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE

Our mission is, “Protecting Children, Supporting Families, and Engaging Communities”. Kids Central, Inc. is the lead Community Based Care agency for child welfare in Circuit 5, which encompasses Marion, Lake, Hernando, Sumter, and Citrus Counties. We maintain a system of care for children and families that have experienced or are at-risk of experiencing child abuse or neglect. Kids Central, Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, disability, or veteran status as those terms are defined under applicable law. Kids Central is a Drug-Free Workplace, Equal Employment Opportunity and E-Verify Employer.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Kids Central, Inc. provides a comprehensive compensation package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) with company match, and a generous paid time off allotment.

Employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V