Family Services Specialist I

Family Services Specialist I

Under direct supervision, the Family Partnership Meeting Facilitator, facilitates FPMs for CPS, In-home, Foster Care and Adoptions. The facilitator is responsible for scheduling, preparing (including interviewing), facilitating and documenting FPMs in accordance to agency standards and the states guidance.

The Family Partnership Meeting Facilitator plays a crucial role in coordinating and leading state-mandated Family Partnership Meetings (FPMs). FPMS serve as a platform for collaboration between families, community partners, service providers and the agency. This position is dedicated to actively engaging and supporting families involved in the child welfare system, ensuring their voice is heard and access to necessary resources.

The facilitator also helps to train new staff about FPMs, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to support families effectively and navigate the complexities of the system. Through these efforts, the Family Partnership Meeting Facilitator helps foster a more inclusive and supportive environment for families in need.

This position is essential. Personnel occupying this position may be scheduled to work regardless of weather conditions and/or when general County offices are closed. While typical office hours are expected, employees must be flexible in meeting the needs of the family's schedules.

Special Duties & Responsibilities

• Works collaboratively with workers, families, supports, service providers and community partners
• Interprets laws, policies, and regulations as applied to specific areas of responsibility.
• Interviews clients through a trauma-informed lens to identify strengths, needs and other relevant factors such as safety concerns, risk factors, adverse childhood experiences, support systems, etc. for the FPM
• Manages the daily flow of referrals for Family Partnership Meetings that come to the Family Engagement unit and schedules these meetings in a timely manner, following state guidance
• Coordinates FPMs by reaching out to family members, community partners, and agency staff involved in making decisions about the safety, permanency, and well-being of children
• Facilitates structured, solution-focused group discussions that empower children and families to voice their concerns while addressing agency-related issues
• Documents the Family Partnership Meeting in the state's case management system and distributes a copy to all participants
• Assists in providing in-service training to staff and community on best practices for Family Engagement
• Tracks statistical information related to Family Partnership Meetings
• Performs other duties as assigned to ensure child safety and improve outcomes in families.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of social, economic and health problems; general knowledge of social institutions and the methods of assistance.
• Working knowledge and understanding of Virginia child welfare system.
• Possess critical thinking skills, ability to apply critical thinking, knowledge, and research to multiple scenarios in the field, as well as an office setting.
• Ability to meet deadlines and maintain case documentation within a case management system.
• Ability to work collaboratively with families to identify solutions to specific issues and/or challenges such as parenting, behavior management, childcare, financial stability, housing mental health, substance abuse, etc.
• Ability to effectively communicate and interact with clients, coworkers, community professionals, supervisors, and members of the general public, and all other groups involved in the activities of the department.
• Ability to assemble information and make written reports and documents in a concise, clear and effective manner.
• Ability to use independent judgment and work with indirect supervision as situations warrant.
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge and proficiency with computers and related software programs.
• Ability to write with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar.
• Ability to speak with and before others with poise, professionalism and confidence.
• Ability to de-escalate/re-direct clients, family members, professionals while maintaining composure during FPMs
• Ensures written reports of the FPM reflect the entirety of the meeting
• Must be adaptable to performing under stress when confronted with an emergency.
• Ability to testify and present accurate information in court if subpoenaed due to job responsibilities

Minimum Training & Experience

Education and Experience
- Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in a Human Services field or minimum of a Bachelor's degree in any field with a minimum of two years of appropriate and related experience in a Human Services area as mandated in Section 22

VAC
40-670-20 of the Administrative Code of Virginia and implemented by the Virginia Board of Social Services. Possession of a BSW or MSW degree and a Commonwealth of Virginia Social Worker license are desirable.

Preferred Experience

Bachelor's Degree in Social Services, Sociology, Human Services,…