Family Support Specialist

For over 35 years, Youth Villages has transformed the lives of children and families nationwide through innovative, research-based programs focused on preserving and restoring families.


As a national leader in children's mental and behavioral health, we serve more than 47,000 youth, young people, and their families annually across 29 states and Washington, D.C. Our proven treatment models drive long-term success in child welfare, juvenile justice, and mental health systems. At Youth Villages, we do what works - partnering with others to expand our impact and advocate for meaningful, lasting change.


We're seeking purpose-driven individuals who are passionate about making a difference. With a dedicated team of more than 5,000 staff, Youth Villages is committed to investing in and supporting our employees by offering opportunities to build a fulfilling career through professional growth, personal development, and a mission that matters- helping children and families live successfully.


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Program Overview:

In partnership with Tennessee's Department of Children's Services (DCS), Youth Villages provides family-centered, strength-based services to youth from birth to age 18 through the Family Support Services (FSS) program. Focused on delivering case management services, non-custodial families are referred by other DCS program areas, juvenile courts, or self-referral. Staff provide on-call crisis support, identify services and resources tailored to each family's unique needs, and utilize formal and informal assessments for case planning. Goals include increasing stability, strengthening relationships, building self-sufficiency, and enhancing well-being and permanency.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The Family Support Specialist:

• Carries a caseload of approximately 20 cases
• Conducts home and site visits at least 2 times per month to assess and address safety concerns
• Learns DCS policies that guide care and services for youth and families
• Provides case management and care coordination services to youth and families
• Facilitates the forward progress of the youth's treatment and ensures the youth is in the least restrictive setting that is safely possible
• Ensures intensity of services to maintain children stay with caregivers with the goal of avoiding an out-of-home placement
• Gathers pertinent assessment information using clinical skills, critical thinking, and problem solving to assess areas of risk and applies appropriate intervention or services to each situation
• Attends various meetings as an advocate for the youth and family (including but not limited to: team meetings, court hearings, and school meetings)
• Ensures all medical, dental, and educational needs are met and accurately documented
• Provides on-call crisis support to the youth and family (schedules vary by location)
• Attends 3 weekly meetings (individual, team, and clinical consultation) for professional development to help enhance clinical skills
• Completes accurate and timely documentation in an electronic medical record system (EMR)
• Performs other duties as assigned

Additional Information:

• Schedule is flexible and non-traditional as it is based around the availability of youth and families served.
• Applicants must possess a current, valid driver's license, an automobile for work purposes, and proof of auto insurance.
• Community-based staff will be reimbursed for applicable mileage.

Salary:

$52,000 - $60,000 per year based on education and clinical license

Qualifications:

• Master's degree in a social services discipline (preferred)
• Bachelor's degree in social services field (required)
  • Degrees that can be considered include: social work, drug and alcohol education or counseling, psychology, criminal justice, guidance counseling, or marriage and family therapy (others subject to review)
• Experience with the Foster Care System and/or DCS (preferred)
• Clinical experience and/or case management (preferred)
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent written, verbal, and oral skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• Basic computer knowledge
• Ability to maintain a flexible schedule

Youth Villages Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Prescription Drug Coverage and Vision
• 401(k)
• Time off:
• • 2 week paid vacation (full-time) / 1 week paid vacation (part-time)
  • 12 paid sick days per year
  • 11 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• Mileage & Cell Phone Reimbursement (when applicable)
• Tuition reimbursement and licensure supervision
• Growth & development through continuous training
• Clinical and administrative advancement opportunities

*Benefits are excluded for variable status employees.

Youth Villages is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Youth Villages is committed to not only advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace but also in our work with children and young adults. We know that children, families and young people of color can face inequity in child welfare and justice systems, and we train our employees to build the skills they need to work with the communities that we serve, as well as, other employees from different cultures and backgrounds. Youth Villages is opposed to racism in any of its forms and is committed to inclusion, equity, and diversity. We believe that respect for each other is crucial in the work that we do each day.