Family Specialist, FFT

Family & Children's Agency; Norwalk (CT); Hybrid; USD 45,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Family & Children's Agency in Norwalk, CT is seeking a FFT Family Specialist to support foster youth and their families through case management, tailored interventions, and collaborative treatment planning. You will work with the FFT Family Therapist to coordinate services that promote stability and permanency.

The role emphasizes home-based services, engagement, and coordination with stakeholders, with a hybrid work model and generous benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, or related field with 2 years’ experience in case management.
• Experience in family systems, complex family dynamics, and providing in-home services.
• Knowledge in home-based therapy, child welfare systems, attachment theory, and family therapy models.
• Valid driver's license and access to a personal vehicle for travel.
• Bilingual (English-Spanish) encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Provide home-based services as an active member of the FFT FC team, collaborating with the Family Therapist and DCF.
• Conduct comprehensive initial assessments, identify key participants, and create relational and risk analyses within the family system.
• Complete Care4 and electronic health record documentation, including crisis management plans, safety planning, and home walkthroughs.
• Regularly assess client engagement and levels of risk, addressing barriers with stakeholders.
• Keep all relevant stakeholders informed of client progress and attend family court appearances and Administrative Care Reviews.
• Identify and refer children and families to community-based resources.
• Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and understanding of diverse backgrounds and needs of families served.

Skills

Case management

In-home services

Family therapy models

Attachment theory

Social services knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Ben Franklin - Flax Hill Rd, Norwalk, CT, US

Salary Range: $45,000.00 To $50,000.00 Annually

Family & Children’s Agency (FCA)is a nonprofit human service organization that is committed to increasing the social and emotional well-being of our clients – people throughout Fairfield County. Our Agency builds better lives by offering more than 30 programs that meet needs across all ages, delivering services to more than 13,000 people each year. Our clients reside primarily in Norwalk, Wilton, Darien, Westport, Weston, New Canaan, Stamford, and Greenwich. Our Home Care and Foster Care programs provide assistance to residents throughout Fairfield County, and the Adoption program is both nationwide and international.

Our Mission is to partner with individuals, families, organizations and communities to build better lives.

FCA is proud to currently offer a hybrid working model to our employees. Employees enjoy a wide array of benefits that make up our competitive compensation package. We are proud to offer generous employer contributions to our medical plans, continued education credits offered at no cost, annual tuition reimbursement stipend, employer paid Life & LTD policies, FSA and Dependent Care, 401K with a match and a generous vacation and time off policy to include Martin Luther King Jr Day and Juneteenth! We also offer employee discounts to multiple organizations, events and your cell phone plan. Our benefits don't stop there - we offer an EAP program, paid for CEUs and clinical supervision, summer Fridays and employee appreciation events along with wellness incentives and challenges!

Job Purpose

The FFT Family Specialist plays a vital role in supporting foster youth and their families through case management services, tailored interventions, and collaborative treatment planning. Working alongside the FFT Family Therapist, the Family Specialist will support foster families and coordinate treatment services to ensure the stability of the foster placement and progress toward permanency.

Key Responsibilities

• Case Management: Provide home-based services as an active member of the FFT FC team, collaborating closely with the Family Therapist and DCF.
• Assessment and Planning: Conduct comprehensive initial assessments, identify key participants, and create relational and risk analyses within the family system.
• Documentation: Complete Care4 and electronic health record documentation, including crisis management plans, safety planning, and home walkthroughs, ensuring model fidelity.
• Risk and Engagement Assessments: Regularly assess client engagement and levels of risk, collaborating with stakeholders to address barriers and ensure effective intervention strategies.
• Collaboration with Stakeholders: Keep all relevant stakeholders informed of client progress, elevated risks, and attend family court appearances and Administrative Care Reviews.
• Community Resource Referral: Identify and refer children and families to community-based resources, enhancing their support network.
• Cultural Competency: Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and an understanding of the diverse backgrounds and needs of the families served.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, or a related field, with a minimum of 2 years’ experience in case management or related services.
• Experience: Experience in family systems, complex family dynamics, and providing in-home services. Knowledge in home-based therapy, child welfare systems, attachment theory, and family therapy models.
• Prior experience in social services or a related field.

Additional Requirements

• Valid driver's license and access to a personal vehicle for regional and statewide travel.
• Bilingual (English-Spanish) are encouraged to apply.