Family Support Specialist

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 Support Services (FSS) program. Focused on delivering case management services, non-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.

• Carry a caseload of approximately 20 cases.
• Conduct home and site visits at least twice per month to assess and address safety concerns.
• Learn DCS policies that guide care and services for youth and families.
• Provide case management and care coordination services to youth and families.
• Facilitate the forward progress of the youth’s treatment and ensure the youth is in the least restrictive setting that is safely possible.
• Ensure intensity of services to maintain that children stay with caregivers, avoiding out-of-home placement.
• Gather pertinent assessment information using clinical skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving to assess risk and apply appropriate interventions.
• Attend meetings as an advocate for the youth and family (team meetings, court hearings, school meetings, etc.).
• Ensure all medical, dental, and educational needs are met and accurately documented.
• Provide on-call crisis support to the youth and family (schedule varies by location).
• Attend weekly meetings (individual, team, clinical consultation) for professional development and quarterly booster trainings.
• Complete accurate and timely documentation in an electronic medical record system (EMR).
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Master’s degree in a social services discipline (preferred).
• Bachelor's degree in a social services field (required).
• Degrees considered: social work, drug and alcohol education or counseling, psychology, criminal justice, guidance counseling, 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 communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Basic computer knowledge.
• Ability to maintain a flexible schedule.

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

• Medical, dental, prescription drug coverage and vision.
• 401(k).
• Time off: 2 weeks paid vacation (full-time) / 1 week paid vacation (part-time); 12 paid sick days per year; 11 paid holidays; paid parental leave.
• Mileage and 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 service work with children and young adults.