Prevention Family Specialist - Albany Home Run Prevention Program (5551)

About the role

The Prevention Family Specialist's goal is to preserve the family unit by providing supportive casework counseling in the home and empower parents with tools and resources to ensure children's safety, well-being, and permanency while providing advocacy to ensure quality services. The Albany County Home Run Program is a trauma-informed, school- and home-based prevention program that supports youth and families facing challenges that place children at risk of academic failure, chronic truancy, behavioral concerns, family instability, and potential out-of-home placement.

The Family Specialist is embedded within Cohoes Middle School and serves as a vital link between students, families, school personnel, and community resources. Located within the school and available during regular school hours, as well as before and after school as needed, the Family Specialist provides immediate support and intervention when concerns arise. Through strong relationship-building and consistent engagement, the Family Specialist helps students and families overcome barriers to stability while improving attendance, behavior, academic performance, and overall well-being.

Responsibilities

• Conducts assessment of family’s strengths and needs; assesses problem areas and utilizes various treatment modalities and resources to effect growth and change.
• Participates in development, implementation, and ongoing evaluation of comprehensive treatment and discharge plan.
• Develops alternative placement or permanency resources for youth that may not return to their families.
• Completes a comprehensive discharge summary at least eight weeks prior to discharge.
• Delivers effective case management services, including ensuring counseling sessions are scheduled as needed and children receive required medical and dental examinations.
• Tracks and monitors services provided, completes all documentation in a timely and comprehensive manner.
• Ensures compliance with confidentiality standards, parental consent, and necessary release of information.
• Conducts casework contacts with families, as needed but at least twice a month, in their homes and community settings to focus on treatment goals.
• Engages youth and family by developing effective and caring relationships.
• Ensures children are maintained in a safe, secure environment.
• Develops and maintains relationships with community schools to ensure the best educational experience for each child and with community resource agencies.

Requirements

• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in human services or related field.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience working with at-risk youth & families and case management.
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule with variable hours including day, evening, and subject to call hours.
• Subject to call: Family Specialist is required to be on call in collaboration with a Program Coordinator. May require evening/weekend field work. On Call is in rotation with the program Family Specialists.
• Must have a Valid Driver’s License with acceptable driving history to the Agency, and a reliable vehicle. Travel is required.
• Ability to coordinate and plan travel for visits and appointments in an efficient manner.
• Ability to work with economically and culturally diverse populations.

Skills

• Ability to handle crisis intervention in a solution-focused manner.
• Strong communication skills including written, verbal, and listening skills.
• Bilingual is a plus.