Family Support Specialist

Position Summary:

The Family Support Specialist will coordinate and provide services for children and families for all programs operating under the JAFCO FamilyMatters office, serving the greater Philadelphia community (including Southern New Jersey). This person will assist with growing and expanding programming in the local community to help operationalize this expansion effort.


Role and Responsibilities

This person's job responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Be able to create innovative programs/activities that support the needs of our families and with support from supervisor and team implement these programs.
• Conduct support groups and programs as scheduled by the agency.
• Take part in/be involved in all programs offered to our families, some including nights and weekends.
• Conduct initial intakes on referrals to assess child and family's strengths, needs, abilities and preferences and complete all required documentation within the necessary time frame.
• Identify and develop service goals/plan and recommendations for the child and family to be reviewed and updated on an on-going basis.
• Schedule regular and on-going home visits and maintain a positive professional relationship with families.
• Provide on-going support and information to families that conform to regulatory and professional standards in congruence with the agency's mission, vision, and values.
• Flexibility of working hours will be required to meet the child and family's needs, which include evening (2-3 per week) and weekend hours.
• Maintain an awareness of services available throughout the community and assist families served in accessing appropriate resources.
• Maintain timely case notes, file documentation and required paperwork per agency policy.
• Conduct supervised visitations as needed, possibly to include evenings and weekends , and prepare visitation summary and court reports.
• Attend court hearings, IEP and other school meetings or any other provider meeting related to the child and family as needed to advocate for the families.
• Communicate with school, psychiatrist, therapist, pediatrician, and other professionals working with the child and family to help ensure care is coordinated.
• Mindfully integrate the Trauma Informed Care Model and Person-Centered Approach into all procedures, practices, and daily interactions
• Ability to work as part of a team in collaboration with all clinical departments.
• Attend weekly individual supervision and staff meetings as scheduled.
• Provide on-call support in rotation with the clinical team (serve as on-call point person with at least one weekend off per month)
• Follow Pennsylvania and New Jersey Child Abuse Reporting Rules
• Share all safety-related concerns with direct supervisor and the Director of Operations and Clinical Services
• Prepare a termination summary prior to the child's discharge from the program.
• Perform all other duties as requested or assigned.

Competencies:

• Interpersonal Communication Skills
• Professionalism, Critical Thinking and Teamwork
• Practice-based Learning and Quality Improvement
• Screening and Assessment
• Care Planning and Care Coordination
• Intervention skills
• Cultural Competence and Adaptation
• Organization and Technology

Physical requirements:

Staff must be physically capable of driving an automobile in a safe manner. Ability to sit and stand for long periods of time as needed. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. Physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.


The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms; able to lift, push or pull up to 25 lbs.


Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Minimum Bachelor's prefer master's degree in social work, Psychology, Family Therapy, or a relevant field and at least two (2) to four (4) years direct experience working with families with children with developmental disabilities
• Experience and knowledge of groups working with children of different ages and abilities and how to facilitate or co-facilitate a children's enrichment group.
• Must possess a combination of mental health work experience or relevant education, and training which indicates the possession of knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform essential job duties.
• Experience with community development practice, crisis, and trauma counseling, working knowledge of systems.
• Experience with mental health and illness, behavioral issues, anger management and drug and alcohol issues.
• Demonstrated ability in meeting-facilitation, oral presentations, and situations of conflict.
• Ability to work within and assist others in navigating through complex systems; understanding of treatment programs, mental health terminology, including diagnostic categories; knowledge of privacy guidelines and ability to communicate difficult/sensitive information.
• Ability to work in diverse community with children of varied ages and backgrounds presenting a range of difficulties and personal issues.
• CPR, First Aid and Water Safety certification (Will train/certify after hire).
• Valid Driver's License and clean driving record.
• Strongly prefer to maintain Bodily Injury Liability insurance of $100,000 per claim, $300,000 per incident on their personal automobile when driving clients.

EOE