Youth & Family Specialist

Responsibilities:

Youth and Family Support

• Demonstrate a human centered, strength-based, and trauma informed philosophy by treating all clients, families and collaterals in a non-judgmental and respectful manner while building on their strengths.
• Create a trusting and safe relationship with the client and encourages personal growth of the client
• Advocate for the youth’s needs to ensure equitable and quality care
• Provide clinical case management working in multiple systems and settings providing services to foster children, foster families and biological families
• Depending on level of training, provides group and/or individual counseling and coaching services, mediation and guidance to children and their biological and/or foster families. (LISCW or equivalent)
• Facilitates supervised family visits, and provides parent coaching as appropriate
• Consistently demonstrate discretion and independent judgment with regard to assessing and making decisions around the best interest for children and families
• Undertake the responsibility of “on-call” duty as assigned and is responsive to crises independently either by phone and\or in person, demonstrating a calm and professional approach while assuring safety for all involved.
• Facilitate treatment meetings/ foster care review, and invites the appropriate attendees, while ensuring effective interagency collaboration
• Coordinate dental, medical, psychological and community support for youth
• Ensure that educational needs are met including advocacy for special education services
• Attend all meetings called by collaterals and support a team approach to best serve the needs of children, youth and families

Recruitment and Foster Family Support

• Support and participate in the development and implementation of strategic plans for program-specific foster care recruitment in conjunction with foster care recruitment across the Children and Families Service
• Recruit qualified foster homes on a continuous basis to meet the growing and challenging needs of clients
• Support foster families through the recruitment and training process
• Participate in “matching process” and prepares foster parents for their work with the child/youth and family of origin
• Promote the program through community networking and positive representation to internal and external committees, government entities, etc.
• Maintain an excellent relationship with state or private funding sources and other state authorities responsible for regulating foster homes or child placing agencies
• Develop and maintain expertise regarding regulatory requirements for foster parent qualification and renewal including record checks, evaluations and updating of file materials
• Complete all documentation required by state licensing regulations in a timely manner, including but not limited to home studies, background checks, annual foster care review and waivers
• Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein to help meet the goals of the program or the agency

Record Keeping, Reporting, Trainings and Meetings:

• Document all contacts and incidents and ensure files are up to date
• Develop and complete assessments/home studies, service plans\tx plans, progress notes and any other necessary documentation
• Provide updates to the court both in writing and in person
• Maintain organized up to date case/foster care files in accordance with contractual standards, state and federal law
• Keep supervisor updated on any incidents or concerns involving clients and foster families
• Attend weekly staff meetings and any other meetings or events required by the agency
• Complete all mandatory training on a timely basis to meet certification standards, including 20-30 hours of specialized training each year including ethics, current practice and needs of the service population.

Qualifications:

• MA - Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or a related field with 1-year experience and LSW licensure eligibility;
• NH - Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or a related field with 2 -years’ experience working with children and/or families;
• Ability to work within the Mission of the agency.
• Significant experience working with children with social/emotional/physical problems desirable. Mediation and conflict resolution skills helpful.
• Word processing/computer skills preferred.
• Open to new ideas and desire to grow professionally. Flexibility in thinking and scheduling.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license and a good driving record.
• Ability to utilize independent sound clinical judgement and decision making with regards to best interest of children and families
• Ability to work flexible hours and be available to meet for emergency situations.
• Ability to effectively manage client behavior, foster independence, and maintain perspective and a sense of humor.
• Ability to handle people and situations with compassion, diplomacy, and tact.
• Ability to work independently by setting priorities; organizing resources and effectively performing tasks in a timely manner.
• Ability to provide documentation such as valid driver's license, evidence of automobile insurance and a clear criminal record check.
• Ability to work cooperatively in a team environment and to problem solve unexpected/unpredictable circumstances calmly.
• Knowledge of federal, state and local regulations, protocols and/or procedures.
• Computer skills required.
• Ability to travel to meet client needs
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills
• Ability to use independent judgment and discretion; investigate, analyze and draw professional conclusions.