Family Support Specialist- Community Support for Families

Job Description

Job Description

The Village was one of the first agencies in the country to provide homes for neglected children. Today, we continue to fulfill our mission of building a community of strong, healthy families who protect and nurture children by providing a comprehensive range of behavioral health, early childhood development, youth services, substance use treatment, and family support programs throughout the Greater Hartford region.

Named a Connecticut Top Workplace for seven consecutive years , with national recognition for workplace culture and diversity, equity, and inclusion, The Village is committed to supporting both the communities we serve and the employees who make our mission possible.

Starting Salary: $49,000

JOB SUMMARY _ COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES

Community Support for Families (CSF) is a voluntary, family-driven program designed to assist families in strengthening natural and community support systems to maintain safe and healthy home environments. Families are referred by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) or through probate court, and CSF staff connect them to concrete, traditional and non-traditional, resources and services in their community.  Family Support Specialist staff assume case management responsibilities, facilitate Family Team Meetings, administer assessments and surveys, and offer services that build upon protective factors of the family. The goal is to assist the family in developing solutions, identifying community resources and supports based on the families’ needs and strengths, and to promote permanent connections for the family with an array of support and resources. At its core, CSF’s primary purpose is to prevent re-referral to DCF and to support families in remaining intact.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Provides direct services to children and their families which may include:
   1. Conducts comprehensive assessments and engagement
   2. Develops treatment plans and contracts for services
   3. Implements treatment plans, modifying it as appropriate during the course of treatment
   4. Discharge planning, which may include plans for follow up treatment and connection to community  services and programs
   5. Provides case management services
   6. Works with community groups in collaborative ventures
2. 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. 
3. 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.).
4. Works as a team member with other clinical and administrative staff to respond to client and programmatic needs.
5. Contributes to agency organizational life by participating in agency wide task forces, committees or problem solving teams as appropriate.
6. Contributes to agency visibility and development of community linkages by representing The Village in community groups or committees, as assigned by supervisor.
7. Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.             

EDUCATION

BA in social work, sociology, psychology or comparable human service program. An Associate's degree plus 2 years of relevant experience can be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree.

EXPERIENCE

• 2-3 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. 
• Bilingual skills preferred. 
• Experience working with inner-city children.
• Commitment to Results/Performance Based Accountability.
• May be required to maintain 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.