Behavior Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

A Career at Little Flower 

Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York is a nonprofit organization that has worked to improve the well-being of children, youth, and families across New York City and Long Island since 1929. Our staff of more than 500 provides prevention services, foster care, residential treatment care, adoption services, and medical and mental health services. 

A career with Little Flower can be rewarding in so many ways. We are looking for conscientious and caring people who are ready to commit to the work of strengthening families and supporting the well-being of children. If you’re looking for a career where you can truly make a difference, we hope you will consider joining our team.  

Summary Job Description:

The Behavior Specialist assists and supports the Caseworker in providing services for children and families in the Therapeutic Foster Boarding Home Program.   The Behavioral Specialist works primarily with the child (ren) in the foster home. The Behavior Specialist works in concert with the caseworker to provide broad task-oriented service delivery to families in the TFBH Program.  Performs child/youth care functions relevant to daily foster home care, including the delivery of respite and crisis intervention services in the foster homes. 

Principle Responsibilities:

• Share 24-hour 7-day cell phone coverage with the social worker.
• Shares in the pre-placement process with the social worker.
• During the first week a child is in placement, the Behavior Specialist should visit the foster home at least three times and have daily phone contact to monitor the child’s adjustment to the foster home.
• Helps foster parents develop sensitivity and awareness of children’s problems, including the separation and loss experienced by the child.
• Establishes and maintains regular contact (a minimum of once per week) with children and foster parents and provides support.
• Develops appropriate behavior plans, refining and revising as needed.
• Collects and reviews weekly positive time sheets.
• Maintain monthly contact with the school, by phone or in person.
• Attends CSE and other school meetings with the TFBH program Educational Coordinator.
• Maintain weekly telephone contact with each child’s therapist.  Document in progress notes.
• When a child is in a respite placement for more than a weekend, the Behavior Specialist should make at least one home visit and frequent telephone contact to monitor the child’s adjustment to the respite foster home.
• For each child who is 14 or older, the Behavior Specialist is responsible for working with the child on independent living skills.
• Participates in treatment team meetings.
• Participates in the recreational activities for the TFBH program.

Minimum Requirements:

Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, or Sociology required.  Previous experience preferred.

Travel Requirements:

This position is located in Wading River, NY and will require travel throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties. A valid driver’s license and a reliable vehicle are needed.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Statement: 

With more than 250 years of combined experience, Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York and St. John’s Residence for Boys have a long-standing history of serving children, youth, adults and families of color. Our mission, vision and values are grounded in elevating the shared humanity of every staff member, community partner and those with whom we engage. We recognize that our DEIB work is continuously evolving as we strive for equity and inclusion for individuals of all races, ethnicities, genders, sexualities, ages, abilities, religions and lived experiences.