Family Support Specialist SOCAT Program

Immediate full time opening for a FAMILY SUPPORT SPECIALIST in our Grant Program, SOCAT. This position will cover Putnam County.

The FSS provides direct caregiver-to-caregiver support. The FSS is a vital resource to assist families and others who are caring for young children/children/youth/transition age youth with emotional, behavioral, and/or co-occurring disorders. To achieve the resiliency and recovery goals of the child/youth and family, the FSS promotes self-determination, personal responsibility, and the skills, knowledge and confidence to be an effective advocate for his/her child/youth, and inspires a sense of hope that resiliency and recovery are achievable goals.

Works closely with Program Director regarding all grant program protocol and data collection instruments. Must be willing to have a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the client with possible weekends, evenings or early mornings.

Teach and role model the value of every individual’s experience caring for a child or youth with a mental, emotional, behavioral, (MEB) or co-occurring disorder.

Foster a full and equal partnership with the child/youth, family, and caregiver.

In collaboration with the Care Coordinator, complete the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths assessment (CANS)

In collaboration with the Care Coordinator, complete the strengths and culture discovery and caregiver strain questionnaire.

Encourage and assist caregivers in developing informal and formal networks of support that are responsive to the culture and unique needs of their child/youth and family.

Teach the child/youth, family, and caregiver how to identify and utilize their strengths in achieving the family’s goals.

Assists in facilitation of the family team meetings:

Develops agenda with caregiver; lead the meeting with caregiver until the caregiver is ready to do so alone.

Arranges for time and place of meeting.

Ensures that family team and other required paperwork are completed as instructed.

Completes and disseminates service plan to team members with their tasks highlighted. Schedules subsequent family team meetings and provides members with date, time & location

Partners with family/ family team members in identifying and overcoming barriers/service gaps.

Understand and utilize specific interventions necessary to assist caregivers in developing a family team and in establishing and meeting their child/youth and family’s individualized goals.

Assist caregivers in creating their family team and individualized service plan.

Lead as well as model how to facilitate collaborative working relationships with providers, school staff, and other professionals to positively transform the treatment experience of the child, youth, and family.

Model effective coping techniques and advocacy skills.

Teach relevant skills needed for effective advocacy and navigation of the child-serving systems, including child welfare, juvenile justice, education, mental health, and transition services.

Assist caregivers in meeting their child’s or youth’s needs through support, education, and guidance in school related meetings (504, Individual Education Plans, etc.) and the special education system.

Assist caregivers in identifying and connecting with service addressing substance abuse and co-occurring disorders as well as providing information and other resources.

Assist caregivers in learning how to access community resources and in making positive treatment choices for their child/youth and family.

Appropriately document activities provided to caregivers in either their individual records or program records.

Assist non-caregiver staff in identifying programs and environments that foster hope and resiliency and are family-driven and youth-guided in nature.

Collaborate with clinician/therapist to provide support during the crisis and following the crisis.

Participate in team-based supervision; and other duties and/or tasks as assigned.

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED:

• Knowledge of the service area and of resources for children and youth and families. Knowledge and personal experience with children and youth who have emotional and behavioral disorders.
• Knowledge and experience with the juvenile justice, educational, and/or other child serving systems.
• Desire to help and support families.
• Strong customer service skills.
• Commitment to system of care principles, cultural competency & effective team work. Excellent communication, organizational, problem-solving/creative thinking skills. Established support system and access to resources.
• Basic computer and writing skills

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE:

A minimum of high school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED) equivalent is required. Must be the parent or designated primary caregiver of a child/youth with emotional, behavioral, or mental health disorder and experience in navigating child-serving systems. Self-identify as the primary caregiver of a child or youth with a mental, emotional, behavioral or co-occurring disorder who has successfully navigated the child-serving systems to access treatment and resources necessary to build resiliency and foster success in the home, school, and community. Individual must have the ability to successfully complete training recognized by Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) on how to assist other caregivers in fostering resiliency in their child/youth based on the principles of resiliency and recovery within 3 months of employment and be able acquire their Certification from TDMHSAS within one year of employment. TRAVEL REQUIRED: 25%

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $38,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

Salary : $38,000