Family Preservation Specialist

Family Preservation Specialist

Full time, Exempt. Milwaukee, WI, US.

Job Purpose:

The Family Preservation Specialist uses evidence‑based assessments and services to improve family functioning for clients in Wellpoint Care Network’s in‑home and ongoing child welfare programs. The specialist consistently delivers high‑quality direct services, including support, guidance, visit coaching, mentoring, and education to parents receiving supervised family interaction sessions, parenting skill‑building interventions, basic home management, and life‑skills services.

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Social Work, or a related field.
• Experience in child welfare settings and in‑home work preferred.
• At least three years’ work experience in child welfare or a social service setting.
• Ability to lift and carry young children and car seats.
• Proficient in computer software, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), Teams, and ADP.
• Honest, dependable, self‑motivated, and able to work independently.
• Physical exam, drug screen, motor vehicle report, and background checks required.
• Valid Wisconsin driver’s license or occupational driver’s license, reliable transportation and insurance required.
• Personal vehicle must be available for daily use and able to accommodate at least two children in car seats.

• Utilize assessment information to establish strengths‑oriented family goals aligned with child safety and family functioning.
• Document progress toward family goals at a minimum monthly.
• Deliver direct services—support, guidance, visit coaching, mentoring, education—including crisis management, mediation, and basic parenting education.
• Facilitate connections to community services as needed.
• Provide updates on family progress to all relevant staffing or planning meetings.
• Engage in ongoing conversations with parents to identify informal supports for a family‑like setting under supervised visit.

• Advocate for families receiving supervised interaction sessions.
• Assess family strengths and needs during sessions and one‑on‑one meetings.
• Maintain professional relationships with team members and service providers.
• Deliver well‑prepared testimony to courts, describing observed family progress.
• Recommend additional supports and services when necessary.

• Communicate clearly with Case Management regarding plan changes.
• Facilitate learning opportunities for parents to build skills for increased independence.
• Transition services to community providers, family members, or informal supports based on assessment.

• Understand child safety concepts and parental protective capacities.
• Seek information from all children, caregivers, visitors, and the family team.
• Intervene immediately on threats to child safety and report appropriately.

• Maintain accurate documentation of sessions and meetings in established data systems.
• Keep client files in accordance with program policies and comply with audits.
• Complete paperwork within due dates.

• Provide transportation for clients and children as needed, following all laws and regulations.
• Monitor client behavior and report suspected abuse or neglect as required by mandatory reporter regulations.
• Interact professionally with schools, foster homes, and day‑care providers during transport.
• Use trauma‑informed care interventions to reduce stress during transport.

• Demonstrate commitment to the agency’s core principles, diversity, equity, inclusion, and strategic initiatives.
• Participate in committees, work groups, meetings, events, and learning opportunities.
• Perform other duties as assigned, including coverage for other department members.

• Full time.
• Onsite / hybrid work available with reliable broadband connection.
• Moderate exposure to noise.
• Regular personal vehicle travel required with intermittent movement throughout the workday.

We are committed to enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we strongly encourage minority candidates to apply. For more information, visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..