Family Advocate

Job Details Job Location: Family Support Services of Suncoast Admin Office - Largo, FL 33771 Position Type: Full Time Education Level: 4 Year Degree/BA or BS Family Resource Advocate Benefits Tuition Reimbursement Health Insurance Dental Insurance Vision Insurance Life Insurance Well-Being Program Paid Time Off (PTO) Bereavement Leave 12 Paid Holidays Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Short & Long-Term Disability Coverage Employee Discounts 401k Plan with 3% Employer Contribution Mission Statement The mission of Family Support Services of North Florida is to be the leader in providing safety, stability, and quality of life for all children by working with the community to strengthen the family unit. Job Summary Serves as a point of contact for out of home caregivers. Designated to provide immediate and intensive in-home short-term intervention services and supports to caregivers caring for children who have been placed in their homes. Manage a caseload of children as needed to ensure appropriate intensity of services while meeting the immediate individual needs of the caregiver and/or child(ren) for up to 30 business days. Work closely with caregivers to ensure they have the training and resources needed to provide for the children in their care. Assist all caregivers with system navigation, benefit enrollment and accessing community resources. Work to engage caregivers in participating in FAPA/support groups, training and events. Work in collaboration with internal and external partners as needed for placement stability and support to the caregiver. Essential Duties Provide in home supports to out of home caregivers regarding children placed in their homes as needed Provide immediate stabilization and intervention to caregivers to assist in caring for difficult and challenging youth Ensure caregivers have the basic necessities required for caring for the children in their care and assist with obtaining resources as needed Provide skill development and training for caregivers Manage a caseload of caregivers and youth as needed to ensure appropriate intensity of services and meet individual short term needs Perform and document face to face client contacts in the Florida Safe Families Network (FSFN) Link caregivers with Healthy Start, child care services, and other resources as needed Collaborate with FSS Placement & Licensing to ensure effective services and supports to youth and caregivers Collaborate with Family Service Counselors/Dependency Case Managers and other child-related parties, as needed Ensure high level of customer service and support to caregivers with solution oriented focus Maintain FRA tracker(s) Responsible for communications via email, text and mail to caregivers Assist with placement stabilizations. Assist staff and caregivers with accessing community resources Serve as expert on community events, resources, and opportunities for caregivers, including child care and summer camp resources Develop and coordinate the mentor program for foster parents Attend and participate in various meetings and events, participate in department meetings, communicate issues, resolve problems and maintain specified level of knowledge pertaining to new developments, requirements and policies Performs other duties As Needed Qualifications Minimum Qualifications: Education: Bachelors Degree in a Human Services related field from an accredited program. Experience: 3-4 years experience working directly with high-risk children and families. Prior experience with parenting programs or other curriculum such as TBRI or CORE Teen preferred. Licensure, Certification, and/or Registration: Valid drivers license required. Child welfare certification preferred Abilities Represent self and the organization in a professional manner with respectful communication Work independently with little direct supervision Think and write creatively Assess a situation and make appropriate recommendations/ decisions Research, organize and analyze data Solve problems and to think through critical, time sensitive issues Establish and maintain relationships Work collaboratively with staff at all levels in the organization Follow through on commitments, projects and responsibilities Communicate effectively through writing including articles, presentations, speeches, reports, correspondence, and documentation. Speak effectively before small and large groups. Maintain confidential information Use of de-escalation and conflict resolution skills Ability to support and train staff Maintain data tracking and reporting Skills Strong follow-up and follow through Strong organizational and time management Proficiency in Excel and Microsoft Word. Experience with PowerPoint Other Requirements Clear a Level II Background screening (Live Scan) in which your fingerprints will be used to conduct the screening. Please see the link with further details: Clear a reference check. Clear a local background check from the County in which you reside. Clear a substance abuse screen. Provide a copy of all degrees prior to your first day of employment. Clear a Motor Vehicles Records check and must be insurable under the company’s automobile policy. Provide copy of automobile insurance. Provide proof of and maintain a minimum personal auto liability insurance level $100,000/$300,000 if deemed to be a driving risk. Clear an E-Verify check to substantiate that the successful candidate meets the Department of Homeland Security authorization requirements to work in the United States (for more information visit FSS is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. FSS is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. If you require a reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to Human Resources at View email address on click.appcast.io. #J-18808-Ljbffr