Bilingual (English/Spanish) Supportive Visitation Specialist/Social Worker I

ABOUT SUPPORTIVE VISTATION SERVICES (SVS): Parent-child visitation services for CP&P- involved families with children in out-of-home placement to maintain and strengthen familial interactions and facilitate permanency. Services are provided in the least restrictive setting that maintains safety along a continuum of supervision based on family need. Core activities include ongoing assessment, visitation, aftercare (post-reunification support), transportation and documentation.

DESCRIPTION: The Supportive Visitation Specialist is responsible for supporting parent-child visitation for families in their homes or communities; completing and updating visitation plans; documenting visits and completing reports; facilitating parent debriefings before and after visits and visitation planning meetings; transporting children and/or parents, as needed; communicating with children, parents, relatives, resource parents, DCP&P, and/ or other stakeholders by phone and in person; attending various meetings and trainings; and assessing families’ service needs and linking them to appropriate community

Education / Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Counseling, or related field preferred; Minimum of 1 year experience with children and families, particularly families involved with the child welfare system and/or affected by trauma preferred but not required.
• Knowledge of trauma and effect on children and families and experience/willingness to work with culturally diverse populations.
• Valid NJ Driver’s License and clean driver’s abstract

OR

• Associate degree in related field with a minimum of 3 years of experience with children and families, particularly families involved with the child welfare system and/or affected by trauma preferred but not required.
• Knowledge of trauma and effect on children and families and experience/willingness to work with culturally diverse populations.
• Valid NJ Driver’s License and clean driver’s abstract.
• Must be fluent in both Spanish and English, and have cultural awareness when working with clients from diverse Latino/Hispanic backgrounds

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Engaging

Initiates and maintains ongoing communication with families in a culturally sensitive manner utilizing a family's preferred language taking into consideration a family's faith and culture. Schedules and conducts visits in the least-restrictive, most home-like location while ensuring the safety of the children, ensuring the environment for parent-child contact is safe, non-traumatizing, and promotes healthy attachment.

Assessing

• Uses a process to gather information which includes reviewing collateral information and inquiring about family's natural supports. Completes required assessment tools including bio-psychological assessments, Rose Wentz Matrix and SVS Caregiver Surveys and documents contacts with families in agency's progress notes and DCP&P contact sheets. Creates a visitation plan with active familial involvement and updates the plan at regular intervals.

Active Listening

• Creates an environment that empowers family members, including parents, children, and caregivers to communicate their goals and needs.

Teaming

• Advocates for parents/families as necessary and supports them in advocating for themselves. Links the family to community resources and formal and informal supports. Coordinates with DCP&P and other providers, and supports.

Coaching

• Enhances parental skills by goal setting, modeling, mentoring, reinforcement and feedback and reflection through a trauma-informed perspective. Prepares for each visit with caregivers, encouraging them to be the lead in visit planning.

The Children’s Home Society is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer M/F/D/V. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $55,250.00 - $58,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Experience:

• Social work: 3 years (Required)

Language:

• Spanish (Required)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Trenton, NJ 08611 (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $55,250 - $58,000