Family Support Counselor - Social Worker - Kid First Program

KidINC; Town of Florida (NY); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Kids In Distress seeks a Family Support Counselor for the KID FIRST program. This full-time in-home role delivers wrap-around services, conducts assessments, builds case plans, and documents progress with at-risk families.

The candidate will have a Bachelor's in Social Work or related field, at least 1 year of relevant experience, and be able to work evenings/weekends. Spanish language ability is strongly preferred; a Florida driver’s license with reliable vehicle is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work or related field, plus at least 1 year of experience with children and families.
• Bilingual in Spanish strongly preferred.
• Experience with domestic violence, substance abuse, and child welfare knowledge required in Broward County.
• Fluent English; ability to read, analyze and interpret journals or procedures; able to type reports.
• Flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends.
• Must have transportation and a valid Florida driver’s license with vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Make face-to-face contact with families in their homes at least weekly.
• Complete family assessments to identify strengths and weaknesses.
• Develop a family preservation plan (case plan) to keep children safe and strengthen families.
• Maintain detailed files, case logs, and weekly progress reports.
• Assist families in improving relationships and parenting skills; provide crisis intervention.
• Help families access community resources (food, housing, transportation, etc.).
• Provide additional services to prevent maltreatment and unnecessary foster care.
• Provide 24/7 on-call emergency support for assigned families.
• Attend court hearings as required.

Skills

Bilingual Spanish

English fluency

Case management

MS Word

Driver's license

Communication skills

Home visits

Education

Bachelor's degree in Social Work or related human services field

Job description

The KID FIRST (Family Intervention Response & Support Team) Program is an in-home family preservation program focusing on assisting families in crisis. Serving more than 500 families annually for an average of 3-4 months, Family Support Counselors meet with each family on a weekly basis to teach parenting skills and provide case management and crisis intervention.

This is a Full-Time position responsible for providing in-home wrap around services to at risk families. The FSC makes the initial family assessment, case plan, and discharge report and all documentation required on his/her caseload. He/she also makes referrals to a variety of agencies for the family for follow-up services. The individual must be available 24/7 to the families served by the program. Specific responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Make face to face contact with the family in the family's home at least once a week.
• Complete a family assessment to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the family unit.
• Develop a family preservation plan (case plan) that describes the behavior a family must exhibit to keep the child safe from further harm and/or strengthen the family.
• Maintain detailed files, case log, and weekly progress reports on each assigned family.
• Assist assigned families in improving their relationships, as well as teaching parents how to provide better care, nutrition, hygiene, discipline, protection, instruction, and supervision.
• Help families discover and gain access to community resources which would assist them in meeting their needs, including food, housing, transportation, education, employment, respite care, etc.
• Provide any other additional reasonable services for the prevention of maltreatment and unnecessary foster care as may be needed in order to strengthen a family at risk.
• Provide 24 hour emergency on-call assistance for assigned families.
• Attend court hearings as required.

Skills / Requirements

• Must have a Bachelor's degree in Social Work or related human services field; and at least one (1) year of experience working with children and families with diverse backgrounds.
• Bilingual in Spanish strongly preferred.
• Experience with domestic violence, substance abuse, child abuse, and knowledge of the child welfare, child development, parenting and social services in Broward County is required.
• Perform individual and family needs assessments. In-home Direct Services, In-home parenting training, Crisis and Supportive Counseling.
• Provide referrals for services from collaborative partners. Document services and referrals.
• Must possess excellent organizational and case management skills. Must have the ability to intervene in family and crisis situations and be an advocate in dealing with ChildNet and legal systems.
• Must be fluent in English and have the ability to read, analyze, and interpret professional journals or technical procedures written in English; the ability to type reports and business correspondence in English; and the ability to effectively communicate in English.
• Candidate must be computer literate and have the ability to complete documents in Microsoft Word.
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends, to meet the needs of the families served in the program.
• Must have transportation and be willing to visit clients in their homes. Valid Florida Driver's License with full access to a reliable vehicle with appropriate insurance coverage (proof of insurance is required).

Notice to Applicants

This position requires background screening through the Florida Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse. For more information about background screening requirements, visit: https://info.flclearinghouse.com

Kids In Distress is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer, a Drug Free Workplace and requires drug testing.