Part-Time Youth & Family Specialist

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate a human‑centered, strength‑based, trauma‑informed philosophy by treating all clients, families, and collaterals in a non‑judgmental and respectful manner while building on their strengths.
• Create a trusting and safe relationship with the client and encourage personal growth; advocate for the youth’s needs to ensure equitable and quality care.
• Provide clinical case management working in multiple systems and settings, providing services to foster children, foster families, and biological families.
• Depending on level of training, provide group and/or individual counseling and coaching services, mediation and guidance to children and their biological and/or foster families.
• Facilitate supervised family visits and provide parent coaching as appropriate.
• Consistently demonstrate discretion and independent judgment in assessing and making decisions around the best interests for children and families.
• Undertake the responsibility of “on‑call” duty as assigned, responding to crises independently by phone or in person with a calm and professional approach, ensuring safety for all involved.
• Facilitate treatment meetings/foster care review, invite appropriate attendees, and ensure effective interagency collaboration.
• Coordinate dental, medical, psychological and community support for youth; ensure educational needs are met, including advocacy for special education services.
• Attend all meetings called by collaterals and support a team approach to best serve the needs of children, youth and families.
• Support, develop, and implement strategic plans for program‑specific foster care recruitment in conjunction with the Children and Families Service.
• Recruit qualified foster homes on a continuous basis to meet the growing and challenging needs of clients.
• Assist foster families through the recruitment and training process.
• Participate in the matching process and prepare foster parents for their work with the child/youth and family of origin.
• Promote the program through community networking and positive representation to internal and external committees and government entities.
• Maintain excellent relationships with state or private funding sources and other authorities responsible for regulating foster homes or child placing agencies.
• Develop and maintain expertise regarding regulatory requirements for foster parent qualification and renewal, including record checks, evaluations and updating of file materials.
• Complete all documentation required by state licensing regulations in a timely manner, including— but not limited to—home studies, background checks, annual foster care review and waivers.
• Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein to help meet the goals of the program or agency.
• Document all contacts and incidents to ensure files are up to date.
• Develop and complete assessments, home studies, service plans, progress notes and any other necessary documentation.
• Provide updates to the court, both in writing and in person.
• Maintain organized, up‑to‑date case/foster care files in accordance with contractual standards, state and federal law.
• Keep supervisor updated on any incidents or concerns involving clients and foster families.
• Attend weekly staff meetings and any other required meetings or events.
• Complete all mandatory training on a timely basis to meet certification standards, including 20‑30 hours of specialized training each year such as ethics, current practice and needs of the service population.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or a related field, with 1 year experience and LSW licensure eligibility.
• Ability to work within the mission of the agency.
• Significant experience working with children with social/emotional/physical problems; mediation and conflict resolution skills helpful.
• Computer skills (Word processing).
• Open to new ideas and desire to grow professionally; flexibility in thinking and scheduling.
• Valid driver’s license and good driving record.
• Ability to utilize independent sound clinical judgment and decision making regarding the best interest of children and families.
• Availability to work flexible hours and be available for emergency situations.
• Ab…