Support Counselor

Support Counselor/Intensive Care Coordination - San Mateo, CA

The Support Counselor works in the field, in collaboration with the treatment team, supporting families and children within the AFS Mental Health Program. The Support Counselors primary focus is ICC work, provides a variety of interventions and support services to the child and foster family, transports clients to a variety of appointments, and completes written documentation of visitations and/or activities. Looking for a meaningful career where you can make a positive impact on your community? This is a full-time role. Apply today!


About Alternative Family Services

Alternative Family Services is a Foster Family, Adoption and Mental Health Agency that has been serving abused and neglected children in our community since 1973. Our mission is to support vulnerable children and families in need of stability, safety, and well-being in communities. We provide a wide range of foster, adoption, mental health and transition-aged youth services in English and Spanish. We have eight locations throughout the Bay Area and over 200 employees. We celebrate diversity, equal opportunity, and excellence.


Responsibilities

• Provide support services to the child and foster family via methods consistent with the agency's treatment philosophy and approach
• Provide a variety of interventions. This may include, but is not limited to, coaching, mentoring, skill building, tutoring and supportive feedback
• Provide emergency response. Some evenings and weekends may be required.
• Ensure the safety and well-being of the foster child at all times
• Transport children to a variety of appointments and or settings using a personal vehicle in safe working order
• Submit written documentation of such visitations and or activities to CPS workers
• Ensure compliance with HIPAA privacy practices
• Adhere to our attendance and punctuality policy
• Assume other duties as assigned by supervisor

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Obtain and maintain fingerprint and government and Agency required background clearances
• A bachelor's degree in a social science related field; or an associate degree in a social science related field and have at least six months experience in working with emotionally disturbed children or children who have a serious behavioral problem; or at least two years of experience working with emotionally disturbed children or children who have a serious behavioral problem, and who demonstrate a combination of education, skills, and experience
• Training Requirements - Each ISFC Support Counselor shall have completed 40 hours of training to include, but not be limited to, working with abused and neglected children, behavior de-escalation techniques, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, first aid, and developing treatment plans for emotionally disturbed children or children who have a serious behavioral problem. All training shall be completed prior to placing a child in a certified family home for which the support counselor is assigned responsibility. An additional 20 hours of ongoing in-service training is required within the first 12 months after becoming an ISFC Support Counselor
• CPR/First Aid certification
• Valid California driver's license with an acceptable driving record, auto insurance showing as an insured driver on the policy and vehicle registration
• Able to drive and transport children into a variety of community settings using a personal vehicle that is maintained in safe working order
• Able to read and write fluently in English
• Able to meet the specific linguistic needs to the target population
• Able to clearly communicate verbally and in writing
• Able to interact calmly and professionally with clients who may act out due to behavioral disabilities
• Able to interact with co-workers, county representatives, and other treatment team members as part of a cooperative team
• Agree to work on cultural competency as it relates to the diverse client population served
• Work with minimal direct supervision and able to manage time and prioritize workload
• Possess a high level of integrity, honesty and strong work ethic

Driving Requirements

This position requires the employee to work out in the community and within foster homes throughout the Bay Area. Thus, position requires employee to possess a valid CA driver's license and valid automobile insurance with his/her name on the verification card as an insured driver on the policy at all times. Position requires daily access to a car in safe working order.

We Offer

• A professional and supportive work environment
• $21-$24/hour
• $1.20 per hour for Bilingual Pay (Spanish Only)
• IRS standard mileage reimbursement
• Generous Sick Time accrual
• Full-time staff receive a benefits package which includes:
  • Medical
  • Dental
  • Vision
  • Chiropractic & Acupuncture
  • Flex-spending options
  • Life and disability insurance
  • 403(b) option
  • Over 8 weeks time off annually! (11 vacation days the first year - accruals starting on your 1st day and progress up to 20 days a year! 11 paid holidays including your birthday off & 12 sick days annually!)
  • AFS makes substantial monthly contributions on your behalf to keep out of pocket premiums at an all time low!

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of Ancestry, Age, Color, Disability, Genetic Information, Gender, Gender Identity, Gender expression, Marital status, Medical condition, Military or veteran status, National origin, Race, Religion, Sex and Sexual orientation.