Family Services Specialist

About the role

This position provides supportive services to social workers and families by coordinating and supervising family visitation and parenting education within the Child and Family Unit.

Responsibilities

• Supervise visitation between parents and children to ensure safety and assist in working towards reunification or maintaining placement.
• Transport clients for visits, appointments, and meetings using a personal vehicle, with reimbursement for mileage.
• Provide family/parent education and training in household management, childcare, nutrition, health, discipline, and parenting.
• Work closely with social workers regarding progress, problems, and need for review or completion of assignments.
• Maintain high-quality communication with teammates and provide required documentation and reports.
• Maintain an inventory of educational materials for assigned families.
• Provide supervision during visitations between foster children and their natural parents.
• Maintain adequate and timely documentation relative to supervised visits and observations.
• Provide support to foster parents through direct educational services and supportive visits.
• Be available to transport foster children to appointments and provide recreational group activities.
• Assist in coordinating community events and collect and distribute emergency food and clothing to families.
• Participate in agency, unit, and team meetings, as well as community meetings.
• Maintain regular and predictable attendance and promote a harmonious relationship with others.
• Obtain certification in Comprehensive Community Services rehabilitation services to provide Medicaid-approved and billable services.

Requirements

• A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Additional course work or training in family systems information, human development, and financial management is preferred.
• A bachelor’s degree in a relevant service area is highly preferred.
• 3-5 years of post-diploma work experience in child and family services is preferred.

Skills

• Child development and family systems knowledge is preferred.
• The ability to manage time and multiple tasks, motivate people, use good judgment, work as a team member, and work independently is necessary.
• Knowledge of and compliance with applicable laws and regulations of the client population served, including billing procedures and child and family services laws.

Working Conditions

Conditions vary, with much of the work performed outside the office in client homes and other community locations, including substandard housing and conditions. A flexible work schedule is required, with multiple evenings and/or occasional weekend hours, and a current driving license and auto liability insurance is required.