Social Work Specialist – Family Support

About the Role

Assists individuals who have a disability, ages 0 to 22, and their families, in determining care needs and outcomes. Provides information on resources to meet identified needs, assesses for eligibility of programs, and assists in the creation of a service plan. Offers ongoing support and service coordination to children who are in need of assistance due to physical, cognitive, or behavioral needs, with a primary focus on health and safety. Supports families in navigating complex systems related to special needs and future planning.

Responsibilities

• Assesses and evaluates initial and ongoing eligibility for publicly funded programs.
• Works collaboratively with children and families to identify their needs and outcomes.
• Completes paperwork in a timely fashion to ensure program qualifications are met.
• Provides knowledge and support to children and families regarding resources that can meet their complex needs.
• Offers advocacy and guidance to families in relation to their child’s disability.
• Maintains contact with teams within DHS involved with the child as well as other providers and agencies involved in the child’s care.
• Monitors services and funding authorizations regularly to ensure they continue to meet identified outcomes and adhere to program guidelines.
• Completes paperwork in accordance with federal, state, and county policies.
• Identifies and assesses needs, strengths, goals, safety, and outcomes in collaboration with children and families, with sensitivity to past traumatic experiences.
• Conducts assessments and evaluations for initial and ongoing eligibility of Waiver and Children’s Community Option Program funding.
• Provides information on a wide variety of resources and assists in making connections to referral resources for families.
• Works collaboratively with child and family to develop a unique service plan, based on self-direction to the largest extent possible, to work toward identified outcomes.
• Monitors progress toward outcomes, considering consumer satisfaction and cost-efficiencies.
• Coordinates and facilitates the delivery of timely services to meet identified needs for the client.
• Assists in referrals to service providers and maintains ongoing communication with providers to ensure effective and efficient service delivery.
• Works closely with providers, schools, and other professionals for the child’s benefit.
• Collaborates with other teams in DHS involved in a client’s care to ensure the best outcome for services used.
• Evaluates and responds to critical situations, including coordinating efforts to support children in their natural environments and reporting child abuse and neglect.
• Documents all case management activities and completes required paperwork as mandated by program regulations.
• Assists families in meeting their needs in a cost-effective manner.
• Engages in active discussion regarding client’s needs and how best to meet identified outcomes.
• Participates in team decision-making processes to effect change reflective of the philosophy, core values, and goals of the Family Support Team.
• Communicates with supervisor about changing client needs, adjustments to service plans, and situations requiring additional staffing.
• Ensures informal and formal supports are utilized first, when feasible, prior to using public benefit dollars.
• Monitors that program funds are used appropriately and efficiently.
• Seeks out training opportunities to enhance knowledge, skills, and practice.
• Attends team, supervisory, and division meetings, as well as recommended training.
• Conducts home visits with children and their families and remains flexible in availability.
• Makes self available to children and families to discuss concerns or situations that arise and offers support and advocacy when possible.
• Provides children and families with the knowledge and guidance to assist them in making informed decisions about their care needs.
• May include training and certification to provide Service Facilitation for the Youth Comprehensive Community Services (YCCS) program alongside CLTS Service Coordination.
• May include receiving and responding to referrals for Early Intervention Services (EIS), conducting the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, and providing resources based on results.
• Addresses and resolves conflict and manages stress professionally, including engaging in activities to mitigate secondary traumatic stress.
• Demonstrates knowledge and/or interest in Trauma Informed Care principles and practices, with a commitment to fostering a positive, healthy work culture.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Relationships

Reports to Program Supervisor – Family Support. Works regularly with members of the public, referral resources, and community agencies. Interacts frequently with schools, medical professionals, and providers. Collaborates with Human Service professionals involved with the child.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited institution in Social Work, Human Services, or a closely related field.
• A minimum of one year of experience in the human services field working with children and families with disabilities.
• Training and certification to provide Service Coordination for the Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) program, in conjunction with CLTS service coordination, is preferred.
• Children’s Long Term Functional Screen Certification is preferred.

Skills

• Ability to adjust to ongoing referrals resulting in a changing caseload.
• Ability to prioritize client needs and ensure priority services are delivered in a timely fashion.
• Capability to skillfully plan and organize workload efficiently.
• Aptitude for effective and professional communication, both verbally and in writing.
• Knowledge of basic computer programs, such as Outlook, Microsoft programs, consumer databases, and the Internet.
• Ability to facilitate meetings in various settings with diverse attendees.
• Proficiency in conflict resolution, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
• Focus on active listening and empathic responses to individuals.
• Knowledge of Trauma Informed Care and Secondary Traumatic Stress.
• Capability to listen to client concerns, assist families in identifying needs and outcomes, and creatively address those needs using available resources.
• Willingness to meet clients and families outside typical work schedules.
• Ability to effectively address and resolve conflict professionally.
• Knowledge of and adherence to the Social Work Code of Ethics.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to perform most work from a sedentary position.
• Ability to function in situations encountered in a normal office setting.
• Ability to use standard office equipment, including telephone, computer, printer, photocopier, and scanner.
• Ability to travel to other County departments and locations.