Child and Family Specialist

Job Summary

Location:

Must live in or near REGION 4 DFPS-Mt. Pleasant/ Sulphur Springs & Surrounding areas

The Family Specialist is responsible for providing ongoing monitoring, support, and case management services to foster/adopt families and clients.

Essential Duties:

Foster/Adopt Family Development and Monitoring:

Provides assistance and support to foster families so that they remain in compliance with DFPS Minimum Standards and Pathways’ policies and procedures.

Assists foster/adopt parents in documenting how they are working on Service Plan goals.

Conducts and documents monthly and quarterly visits to all assigned foster/adopt homes.

Provides training during quarterly visits to all assigned foster/adopt homes.

Creates and ensures compliance with Action/Safety Plans.

Uploads/completes all documentation within two business days.

Client Placement and Monitoring:

Responds to all internal referrals for placement.

Identifies and prepares families and children for placement.

Conducts placement and completes all required placement documentation/training when necessary.

Conducts 7-Day Follow-Ups (post-placement) to ensure the child’s wellbeing and safety.

Assesses and ensures the child’s wellbeing and safety on an ongoing basis.

Schedules and facilitates service plan meetings and the development and implementation of Service Plans.

Monitors foster/adopt homes and services provided to children through monthly contacts (at minimum).Ensures that all educational services are provided to the child and links assessments and plans to meet the child's educational needs in the public school setting (including attending ARD meetings and requesting special services through the school to meet the child's educational needs).Ensures that all medical, dental, and other health related appointments are attended within required timeframe.

Attends court hearings and permanency planning meetings and shares information with the child's legal representative(s) and treatment team.

Completes monthly documentation on how the child is progressing on Service Plan goals.

Plans, implements, and reviews behavioral interventions in conjunction with the CPMS, Program Director, and/or Treatment Director.

Uploads/completes all documentation within two business days.

Supervisor:
Program Coordinator / Program Director Supervises: N/ACaseload:
Estimated 30 to 35 clients

Work Environment:
Primarily community based position with a portion of office-based activities

Work Hours:

This is a full-time, minimum 40 hours per week position. Work hours set by the Family Specialist (and approved by the Program Coordinator/Director) with allowances in scheduling to be available to meet with staff, children, and families during times and dates convenient for all parties involved (i.e. evenings and weekends).Classification:
Non-exempt.

Education & Experience Option 1 – A Master's degree in a human services field from an accredited college or university and one year of supervised child-placing experience; the degree must include the following:

Minimum of 9 credit hours in graduate level courses that focus on family and individual function and interaction; or350 hours of formal, supervised field placement or practicum with a social service or human services agency;

Option 2 – A Master's degree from an accredited college or university and two years of supervised child-placing experience;

Option 3 – A Bachelor's degree in a human services field from an accredited college or university and two years of supervised child-placing experience;

Option 4 – A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and three years of supervised child-placing experience;

Option 5 – A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and direct supervision from a person meeting one of the above qualifications.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Thorough working knowledge of needs of children placed in substitute care.

Ability to support the agency's culture, growth, and success through communication, accountability, and positivity.

Ability to be clear headed and decisive based on the scope of the position.

Ability to work efficiently and effectively both individually and as part of a…