Family Support Specialist / Social Worker

Position Summary:

The Family Support Specialist will function as a team member in coordinating services for children under the care and supervision of JAFCO’s family preservation, foster care, adoption, emergency shelter and group home programs. The Family Support Specialist will serve as the child and family’s advocate in attempting to provide and facilitate the best possible care and treatment available.

Role and Responsibilities

This person’s job responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Identify and develop service goals/plan and recommendations for the child and family
• Conduct an initial intake on all referrals to assess child and family’s strengths, needs, abilities and preferences
• Receive and document referrals for clinical services made to the agency
• Schedule regular and on-going home visits and maintain an on-going professional relationship
• Provide on-going support and information to families that conform to regulatory and professional standards in congruence with the agency’s mission, vision and values
• Conduct support groups as scheduled by the agency, including but not limited, to group home house meetings, shelter groups, foster care support groups, and women retreats
• Maintain an awareness of services available throughout the community and assist families served in accessing appropriate resources
• Maintain timely case notes, file documentation and required paperwork per agency policy
• Maintain productivity standards and requirements 
• Conduct therapeutic supervised visitation and prepare visitation summary and court reports
• Attend court hearings, IEP and other school meetings or any other provider meeting related to the child and family as needed
• Communicate with school, psychiatrist, therapist, pediatrician, and other professionals working with the child and family
• Attend individual supervision and staff meetings
• Support in the onboarding, training, and supervision of student interns
• Assist with the creating and updating of agency manuals
• Mindfully integrate the Trauma Informed Care Model and Person-Centered Approach into all procedures, practices, and daily interactions  
• Collaborate with schools and community professionals to ensure systemic support for clients and continuation of trauma-informed care
• • Provide on-call support in rotation with the clinical team (serve as part of the on-call team)
  • Provide clinical support to programs at the Village and throughout other sites as needed
  • Follow Florida Child Abuse Reporting Rules                                                                                                                   
  • Sharing all safety-related concerns with direct supervisor, Clinical Director, and the Director of Operations and Clinical Services
  • Prepare a termination summary prior to the child’s discharge from the program
  • Perform all other duties as requested or assigned          

  Competencies:

  • Interpersonal Communication Skills
  • Professionalism, Critical Thinking and Teamwork
  • Practice-based Learning and Quality Improvement
  • Screening and Assessment
  • Care Planning and Care Coordination
  • Intervention skills
  • Cultural Competence and Adaptation
  • Organization and Technology

  Physical requirements:

  Staff must be physically capable of driving an automobile in a safe manner.  Ability to sit and stand for long periods of time as needed.  This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.  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 reach with hands and arms; able to lift, push or pull up to 25 lbs.                                                                                                                           

  Qualifications and Education Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree in social work or psychology or master’s degree preferred and at least two years direct experience working with families and children
  • Must possess a combination of mental health work experience or relevant education, and training which indicates the possession of knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform essential job duties
  • Experience with community development practice, crisis, and trauma counseling, working knowledge of systems
  • Experience with mental health and illness, behavioral issues, anger management and drug and alcohol issues
  • Experience managing response to crisis situations and experience working as part of case management support team
  • Demonstrated ability in meeting-facilitation, oral presentations, and situations of conflict
  • Ability to work within and assist others in navigating through complex systems; understanding of treatment programs, mental health terminology, including diagnostic categories; knowledge of privacy guidelines and ability to communicate difficult/sensitive information
  • Ability to work in diverse communities with children of varied ages and backgrounds presenting a range of difficulties and personal issues
  • lexibility of working hours will be required to meet the child and family’s needs which include evening (1-2 per week) and weekend hours as needed
  • Completion of annual 40 hours in-service agency training
  • CPR, First Aid and Water Safety certification (Will train/certify after hire)                                                                                                        
  • PCM certification for Practitioner 2 (Accommodation may be available if needed. Will train/certify after hire)                                              
  • Valid Driver’s License and clean driving record
  • Strongly prefer to maintain Bodily Injury Liability insurance of $100,000 per claim, $300,000 per incident on their personal automobile when driving clients

EOE