Child and Family Services Counselor

CENTER FOR FAMILY.•Miami Gardens, FL

2h•Onsite

About The Position

The Child and Family Services Counselor promotes child safety, strengthens family stability, and supports positive outcomes for children and families through in-home assessments, case management, crisis intervention, and family-centered services. Working with families at risk of child welfare involvement, the counselor develops and monitors individualized safety and service plans, conducts home visits, coordinates community resources, and collaborates with service providers to enhance protective capacities and prevent unnecessary out-of-home placement whenever safely possible. For Safety Management Services (SMS) cases, the counselor conducts intensive home visitation (minimum of three visits per week, including at least two in the family's home), monitors safety plans, and provides ongoing crisis support. For Out of County (OCS) and Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) cases, responsibilities include monthly home visits, maintaining accurate documentation in the Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System (CCWIS), processing ICPC requests, and ensuring compliance with agency, state, and federal requirements. This position requires a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and participation in a 24/7 on-call rotation to respond to child safety concerns and family crises.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, Counseling, Sociology, Child Development, or a related field required.
Child Welfare Certification is required.
Knowledge of child welfare practices, family systems, trauma-informed care, and community resources.
Ability to assess safety risks and develop effective intervention strategies.
Strong case management, care coordination, and service planning skills.
Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication abilities.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple cases and competing priorities.
Ability to work independently while maintaining effective collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.
Crisis intervention, conflict resolution, and problem-solving skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and electronic case management systems.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree preferred.
Minimum of two (2) years of experience working with children, adolescents, and families in child welfare, family services, behavioral health, case management, or a related field preferred.
Experience conducting assessments, safety planning, and coordinating community services preferred.
Experience working with at-risk children and families strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Review case records and conduct comprehensive assessments to identify child safety concerns, family strengths, risks, and service needs.
Conduct timely in-home visits, home studies, and ongoing assessments in accordance with agency and contractual requirements.
Develop, implement, and monitor individualized safety and case plans that promote child safety, family preservation, permanency, and well-being.
Provide crisis intervention, parent coaching, and family support services to strengthen protective capacities and improve family functioning.
Monitor child safety through regular family contact, collateral communication, and coordination with safety monitors and service providers.
Coordinate referrals and access to community resources, including behavioral health, medical, educational, housing, and other supportive services.
Collaborate with the Department of Children and Families (DCF), Community-Based Care partners, schools, healthcare providers, legal representatives, and other stakeholders to support case planning and permanency outcomes.
Maintain accurate, timely case documentation and complete required assessments, case plans, progress updates, court reports, and related records in FSFN, CCWIS, and other agency systems.
Manage Safety Management Services (SMS), Out of County (OCS), and Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) cases in compliance with agency, state, and federal requirements.
Participate in case staffings, multidisciplinary meetings, court proceedings, and permanency planning activities.
Arrange or coordinate transportation for children and families, as needed, to support participation in services, appointments, and court-related activities.
Participate in a 24/7 on-call rotation and respond to child safety concerns, family crises, and other after-hours situations.
Perform other duties as assigned.