Behavior Specialist

About the Organization

Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York is a nonprofit organization that has worked to improve the well-being of children, youth, and families across New York City and Long Island since 1929. Our staff of more than 500 provides prevention services, foster care, residential treatment care, adoption services, and medical and mental health services. A career with Little Flower can be rewarding in many ways, offering the opportunity to strengthen families and support the well-being of children.

About the Role

The Behavior Specialist assists and supports the Caseworker in providing services for children and families in the Therapeutic Foster Boarding Home (TFBH) Program. The Behavioral Specialist works primarily with the child(ren) in the foster home, collaborating with the caseworker to deliver broad task-oriented services. This role includes performing child/youth care functions relevant to daily foster home care, such as delivering respite and crisis intervention services.

Responsibilities

• Share 24-hour, 7-day cell phone coverage with the social worker.
• Participate in the pre-placement process with the social worker.
• Visit the foster home at least three times and maintain daily phone contact during the first week of a child’s placement to monitor adjustment.
• Help foster parents develop sensitivity and awareness of children’s problems, including separation and loss experienced by the child.
• Establish and maintain regular contact (minimum once per week) with children and foster parents to provide support.
• Develop, refine, and revise appropriate behavior plans as needed.
• Collect and review weekly positive time sheets.
• Maintain monthly contact with the school, by phone or in person.
• Attend CSE and other school meetings with the TFBH program Educational Coordinator.
• Maintain weekly telephone contact with each child’s therapist and document in progress notes.
• For children in respite placement for more than a weekend, make at least one home visit and frequent telephone contact to monitor adjustment.
• For children aged 14 or older, work with the child on independent living skills.
• Participate in treatment team meetings and recreational activities for the TFBH program.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, or Sociology required.
• Previous experience preferred.

Travel Requirements

This position is located in Wading River, NY and will require travel throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties. A valid driver’s license and a reliable vehicle are needed.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

With more than 250 years of combined experience, Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York and St. John’s Residence for Boys have a long-standing history of serving children, youth, adults, and families of color. Our mission, vision, and values are grounded in elevating the shared humanity of every staff member, community partner, and those we engage with. We recognize that our DEIB work is continuously evolving as we strive for equity and inclusion for individuals of all races, ethnicities, genders, sexualities, ages, abilities, religions, and lived experiences.