Caregiver Training & Support Specialist (64887)

Family Support Services•Largo, FL

About The Position

Join our team at FSS and enjoy comprehensive benefits including but not limited to: Tuition Reimbursement Health Insurance Dental Insurance Vision Insurance Life Insurance Well-Being Program Paid Time Off (PTO) Bereavement Leave 12 Paid Holidays Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Short & Long-Term Disability Coverage Employee Discounts 401k Plan with 3% Employer Contribution The mission of Family Support Services is to be the leader in providing safety, stability, and quality of life for all children by working with the community to strengthen the family unit. Job Summary: This position will be primarily responsible for training and supporting teen foster parents with trauma-informed curriculum such as CORE Teen. The key responsibility of the position will include building the capacity of t hose working with teens in foster care and creating a teen-friendly culture. This position will work with numerous departments within FSS and other key stakeholders within the system of care. Support efforts will include in-home coaching and crisis de-escalation. This position has a secondary focus on providing support o licensing teams and prospective caregivers around the delivery and results of the Diana Screen. The Diana Screen is a computer-based risk management screen utilized to keep children safe from sexual abuse and sexual boundary violations.

Requirements

Education: Bachelor's degree required from an accredited college, Master's degree and clinical experience preferred. Degrees in human services, behavioral health or a related field are preferred.
Experience: At least four years of working in the human services field, preferably with experience in child welfare. Minimum three years' experience working in casework, counseling, or social services with individuals impacted by trauma and/or high acuity youth. Master's degree can substitute for one year's experience. Experience with training, behavioral health, and foster parents preferred.
Licensure, Certification, and/or Registration: Valid drivers license, Child Welfare Certification preferred
Represent self and the organization in a professional manner
Work independently with little direct supervision
Think and write creatively
Assess a situation and make appropriate recommendations/decisions
Research, organize and analyze data
Solve problems and to think through critical, time sensitive issues
Establish and maintain relationships
Work collaboratively with staff at all levels in the organization
Follow through on commitments, projects and responsibilities
Read, research and interpret documents such as newspapers, contracts, manuals, journals, financial reports, etc.
Communicate effectively through writing including articles, presentations, speeches, reports, correspondence, and documentation
Speak effectively before small and large groups
Calculate figures and amounts
Maintain confidential information
Knowledge of: Foster home recruitment and retention practices
The impact of trauma on individuals, families and communities
How racial inequality and the social determinants of health contribute to an individuals' trauma
Knowledge and understanding of trauma-informed screening tolls and practices, such as the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), Diana Screening, etc., and their use in supporting caregiver and youth well-being
The importance of youth voice and how to ensure the experience of youth in the foster care system is applied to better support caregivers and those who work in the system
Adolescent development, behaviors, and parenting practices that balance safety and normalcy needs of teens in foster care
The benefits of family-like placement setting for youth well-being and permanency
Ethical standards, confidentiality requirements, and best practices related to sensitive family and caregiver information
Skills: Strong Written and Verbal communication
Strong follow-up and follow through
Strong organizational and time management
Proficiency in Excel and Microsoft Word. Experience with PowerPoint
Strong training skills
Flexibility, ability to prioritize, and experience working on multiple tasks efficiently and effectively
Excellent individual and group rapport-building and communication skills (written, and verbal) in a range of relationships and environments, including with co-workers, colleagues in the filed, youth, program participants, parents, health and human services professionals, teachers, school leaders, and other key stakeholders
Willingness to work evenings and some Saturdays
Ability to work with diverse people, communities and culture, with understanding of culturally sensitive practices
Strong interpersonal skills, collaborative attitude, and excellent communications
Positive, proactive, and personable team player
Ability to conduct sensitive trauma-informed, and confidential conversations with caregivers based on screening results
Strong professional judgement in assessing screening outcomes and determining appropriate follow-up, referrals, and supports
Clear a Level II Background screening (Live Scan) in which your fingerprints will be used to conduct the screening. Please see the link with further details: https://info.flclearinghouse.com
Positive reference check
Clear a local background check from the County in which you reside
Clear a substance abuse screen
Provide a copy of all degrees prior to your first day of employment
Clear a Motor Vehicle Records check and must be insurable under the company's automobile policy
Provide copy of automobile insurance
Provide proof of and maintain a minimum personal auto liability insurance level $100,000/$300,000 if deemed to be a driving risk
Clear an E-Verify check to substantiate that the successful candidate meets the Department of Homeland Security authorization requirements to work in the United States (for more information visit www.dhs.gov/e-verify)

Responsibilities

Coordinate and train FSS staff and caregivers in CORE Teen, including coaching individuals to achieve competency in trauma-informed methods.
Complete home visits with caregivers to provide support, in-home coaching, crisis intervention, and de-escalation as needed.
Administer and review the Diana Screening, making referrals for additional assessment as needed.
Conduct sensitive, trauma-informed, and confidential conversations with caregivers regarding screening results, ensuring information is shared in a respectful manner.
Develop and maintain relationships with providers qualified to administer the Abel Screen.
Develop, coordinate, and conduct trainings for caregivers (foster parents, kin caregivers, birth parents), professionals, and community members on evidence-based and trauma-informed approaches, including CORE curriculum, Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI), and Reaching Teens.
Collaborate with individuals, teens, foster parents, community-based organizations, and the faith-based community to leverage resources, funding, and training opportunities.
Build the capacity of those working with teens in foster care to create a teen-friendly culture across licensing, placement, recruitment, trainings, case management, caregivers and other relevant stakeholders.
Maintain confidentiality of all screening results, coaching conversations, and family information in accordance with ethical standards, privacy requirements, and agency policy.
Collect data and qualitative measure to evaluate overall progress of the Reaching Teens initiative and related caregiver support efforts.
Maintain accurate tracking and documentation of training, coaching, screening outcomes, and follow-up actions, including recommendations to improve trauma-informed agency policies and procedures.
Perform other duties as assigned.