Family Support Specialist (Reunification and Therapeutic Family Time)

The Youth Counselor; Vernon (CT); On-site; USD 45,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Family Support Specialist to provide essential case management and support services to children and families. This role involves offering reunification services, conducting assessments, and developing treatment plans tailored to the unique needs of each family. You will work closely with community agencies and provide therapeutic family time, ensuring a collaborative approach to support. If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of families and children, this is an exciting opportunity to contribute to meaningful change in your community.

Qualifications

• BA in human services or BSW required.
• 3 years experience in a human services agency preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide reunification services and therapeutic family time.
• Conduct assessments, develop treatment plans, and manage cases.
• Collaborate with community agencies for effective treatment.

Skills

Case Management

Therapeutic Family Time

Communication Skills

Cultural Competency

Organizational Skills

Flexibility

Microsoft Office

Driving Skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Human Services

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Spreadsheet Applications

Job description

Family Support Specialist (Reunification and Therapeutic Family Time)

Starting annual salaries are: $45,000 bachelor's level, $47,000 bilingual bachelor's level, commensurate with experience.

Reunification and TFT Specialist(s):

Responsible for provision of Reunification Services and Therapeutic Family Time. Provide reunification services to families referred by DCF, offering short-term intensive in-home services following the removal of a child(ren) due to abuse or neglect to promote successful reunification. Will conduct weekly home visits and work closely with the bio-family and resource family (substitute caregiver), as well as conduct therapeutic family time (supervised visits) and transportation to and from visits, provide on-call support to families, and provide intervention as needed. Services are provided in coordination with DCF and other community service providers. Family Support Specialists are also responsible for providing Therapeutic Family Time (TFT) services to families referred by DCF. Transportation of children will be required. TFT services will utilize the Visit Coaching Model in their Therapeutic Family Time work. As part of Visit Coaching, the coach is actively involved in supporting the parents to demonstrate their best parenting skills, utilizing a strength-based approach. A range of coaching approaches/interventions can be used based on the individual strengths and needs of the parents including: Use of play, modeling, instruction, and rehearsal.

JOB SUMMARY

The Family Support Specialist is responsible for the provision of case management, support services, and mental health services to children and families, or community programs, in coordination with other agency and community services and documentation of services as required by program policies and funding sources. Provides service in the office, home, or host setting, to meet the unique needs of families served.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides direct services to children and their families which may include:
• Conducts comprehensive assessments and engagement
• Develops treatment plans and contracts for services
• Implements treatment plans, modifying it as appropriate during the course of treatment
• Discharge planning, which may include plans for follow-up treatment and connection to community services and programs
• Provides case management services
• Works with community groups in collaborative ventures
• Completes clinical documentation and reports, as well as any other documentation and reports required by agency and program policies and funding sources, accurately and timely.
• Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with other community agencies and organizations, in order to provide comprehensive and effective treatment services for clients (i.e., schools, courts, hospitals, etc.).
• Works as a team member with other clinical and administrative staff to respond to client and programmatic needs.
• Contributes to agency organizational life by participating in agency-wide task forces, committees, or problem-solving teams as appropriate.
• Contributes to agency visibility and development of community linkages by representing The Village in community groups or committees, as assigned by supervisor.

Experience and Skills

EDUCATION

BA in the human services field or BSW required.

EXPERIENCE

• Three years’ experience in a comparable position in a human services agency preferred but not required.
• Excellent oral and written skills and ability to communicate comfortably with children, parents, and school personnel.
• Organized and able to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Flexible and able to multi-task.
• Cultural competency to serve targeted populations.
• Experience working with inner-city children.
• Commitment to Results/Performance Based Accountability.
• May be required to maintain a valid driver’s license and ability to drive or otherwise obtain transportation to provide services throughout the service area.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office and spreadsheet applications. Possess solid general computer skills. Familiarity with specific applications used by The Village a plus.