Family Services Specialist I

A Family Partnership Meeting Facilitator “FPM” is a Family Services Specialist I focused on the duties of an FPM. The FPM should have post-secondary education and possess knowledge and experience of the child welfare system. It is also recommended that you are familiar with prevention, CPS and Foster Care guidance. You should be able to demonstrate the skills necessary to assess physical and psychological safety, understand conflict resolution, and have the ability to manage the process and structure of the FPM. You will be required to complete training and maintain expertise in all aspects of the FPM model and how to apply it when working with families. The minimum training requirements for approved facilitator include: CWS420, Engaging Families and Building Trust-Based Relationships and SWS4030, Family Partnership Meeting Facilitator Training: All trainings are provided in the Virginia Learning Center. Employees will receive every training available to provide the foundation needed to successfully become a I with direction to move upward as needed. 

• Required to take all VDSS mandated training for Child Welfare Systems;
• Learns how to use OASIS, COMPASS, SPIDER, and any other system needed for the program assigned;
• Learns how to effectively and appropriately deals with any and all stakeholders to include:
  • co-workers, 
  • supervisors, 
  • Children’s Services Act employees to include FAPT, 
  • private providers,
  • clients, 
  • family of clients;
  • fictive kin of clients;
  • law enforcement, 
  • attorneys, 
  • Health Department,
  • CASA, 
  • Community Services Board (CSB).
• Learns how to Interprets laws, policies and regulations as applied to specific area of responsibility;
• Learns to assess risk and safety;
• Learns how to demonstrate appropriate and independent judgment in dealing with cases and clients;
• Learns how to independently develop Assessments and Safety Plans and/or Case Plans for clients with timely submission when necessary (Court, FAPT, etc.); as needed
• Learns to effectively, accurately, and articulately testify in court;
• Learns to use proper technique and how to accurately document all relevant case information;
• Learns how to utilize program-specific software (IPADS, Encryption programs) available to accurately document and update all case information, in a timely manner;
• Learns to serve as a resource to clients in the community in area of expertise;
• Facilitates, navigates, and guides FPMs
• Schedules and corresponds with all FPM parties regarding the FPM
• Writes after summary reports and distributes; to include the court
• Seeks out new referrals for new FPMs
• Passes probation with a meets or higher EPPE rating;
• At the end of probation is able to function independently, as a full-performance Family Services Specialist.
• Worked as a Family Services Specialist II for at least 24 months and performs duties of a Family Services Specialist II well.
• Completed all VDSS required training for the first 24 months of employment for Child Welfare System;
• Supports the CPS, FC, and In-Home units in various duties that support the agency. 

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge- Some knowledge of: Social work principles and practices; human behavior and motivational theory; and social, economic, and health problems. 

Skills- Skill in operating a motor vehicle and personal computer with associated software. 

Abilities- Demonstrated ability to: communicate effectively both orally and in writing; interview, assess needs, counsel and refer clients to other resources as needed; develop and implement service plans in order to insure the delivery of appropriate services to the client; make sound judgments within the framework of existing laws, policies, and regulations; respond to the client's emotions in order to accomplish services objectives; plan and manage own work activities including service delivery preparing reports, and correspondence, record keeping responsibilities and related activities; establish and maintain effective relationships; and stay abreast of current trends and developments in the social work field. 

 

Education and Experience- Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in a Human Services field or minimum of a Bachelor's degree in any field with a minimum of two years of appropriate and related experience in a Human Services area as mandated in Section 22VAC40-670-20 of the Administrative Code of Virginia and implemented by the Virginia Board of Social Services. The possession of a BSW or MSW degree and a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license are desirable.