Family Support Specialist (Reunification and Therapeutic Family Time)

Job Description

Job Description

Our Mission: 

The Village was one of the first agencies in the country to provide homes for neglected children. Today, we continue to achieve our mission “to build a community of strong, healthy families who protect and nurture children” by providing a full range of behavioral health, early childhood and youth development, substance use treatment and support services for children, adults and families in the Greater Hartford, Connecticut region.

Named a Connecticut Top Workplace for six consecutive years with national distinction for workplace culture and diversity, equity and inclusion practices, you can be sure you're joining an organization that's just as committed to your success as we are to those we serve

Starting annual salary: $45,000

Reunification/Therapeutic Family Time

• Responsible for provision of Reunification Services and Therapeutic Family Time. 
• Provide reunification services to families referred by DCF providing short-term intensive in-home services following the removal of a child(ren) due to abuse or neglect in order to promote successful reunification.
• Will conduct weekly home visits and work closely with the bio-family and resource family (substitute caregiver), as well as conduct therapeutic family time (supervised visits) and transportation to and from visits, provide on-call support to families; and provide intervention as needed.
• Services are provided in coordination with DCF and other community service providers. 
• Family Support Specialist are also responsible for providing Therapeutic Family Time (TFT) services to families who are referred by DCF.
• Transportation of children will be required.
• TFT services will utilize the Visit Coaching Modelin their Therapeutic Family Time work.
• As part of Visit Coaching, the coach is actively involved in supporting the parents to demonstrate their best parenting skills, utilizing a strength-based approach. 
• A range of coaching approaches /interventions can be used based on the individual strengths and needs of the parents including:  Use of play, modeling, instruction, and rehearsal. 

We help you succeed in your work! Among other trainings, we provide:

• Visit Coaching Training,
• Motivational Interviewing,
• Circle of Security
• Car Seat training

JOB SUMMARY

The  Family Support Specialist  is responsible for provision of case management, support services, mental health services to children and families, or community programs, in coordination with other agency and community services and documentation of services as required by program policies and funding sources.  Provides service in the office, home or host setting, to meet the unique needs of families served.

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.            

EDUCATION

BA in the human services field or BSW required.

EXPERIENCE

• Three 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.