Family Service Worker

Program Overview

In partnership with Tennessee's Department of Children's Services (DCS), Youth Villages provides family-centered, strength‑based services to youth from birth to age 18 through the Family Service Worker (FSW) program. Focused on delivering case management services, custodial families are referred by other DCS program areas, juvenile courts, or self‑referral. Staff provide on‑call crisis support, identify services and resources tailored to each family’s unique needs, and utilize formal and informal assessments for case planning.

Goals include increasing stability, strengthening relationships, building self‑sufficiency, and enhancing well‑being and permanency.

• Carrying a caseload of 15 to 20 cases
• Serving as a youth’s guardian and being aware of DCS policies that guide care and services
• Creating and monitoring permanency plans so that adequate services and assistance are provided to youth and families
• Delivering services in the family’s home or wherever needed (school, court, etc.)
• Providing on‑call crisis support to the youth and family (schedules vary by location)
• Ensuring all medical, dental, and educational needs are met and accurately documented
• Attending three weekly meetings (individual, team, and clinical consultation) for professional development and quarterly booster trainings to enhance clinical skills
• Completing accurate and timely documentation in an electronic medical record system (EMR)
• Performing other duties as assigned

Schedule is flexible and non‑traditional, based around the availability of youth and families served. Applicants must possess a current, valid driver’s license, an automobile for work purposes, and proof of auto insurance. Community‑based staff will be reimbursed for applicable mileage. Salary is $52,000 – $60,000 per year, based on education and clinical license.

• Master’s degree in a social services discipline (preferred)
• Bachelor’s degree in a social services field (required)
• Degrees that can be considered include: social work, drug and alcohol education or counseling, psychology, criminal justice, guidance counseling, or marriage and family therapy (others subject to review)
• Experience with the Foster Care System and/or DCS (preferred)
  Clinical experience and/or case management (preferred)
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent written, verbal, and oral skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• Basic computer knowledge
• Ability to maintain a flexible schedule

• Medical, dental, prescription drug coverage, and vision
• 401(k)
• 2 week paid vacation (full‑time) / 1 week paid vacation (part‑time)
• 12 paid sick days per year
• 11 paid holidays
• Paid parental leave
• Mileage & cell phone reimbursement (when applicable)
• Tuition reimbursement and licensure supervision
• Growth and development through continuous training
• Clinical and administrative advancement opportunities
• Benefits are excluded for variable status employees.

Youth Villages is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Youth Villages is committed to not only advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace but also in our work with children and young adults.

We know that children, families and young people of color can face inequity in child welfare and justice systems, and we train our employees to build the skills they need to work with the communities that we serve, as well as, other employees from different cultures and backgrounds. Youth Villages is opposed to racism in any of its forms and is committed to inclusion, equity, and diversity.

We believe that respect for each other is crucial in the work that we do each day.