Family Engagement Specialist

Childrens Home of Jefferson•Watertown, NY

3d•$46,000•Onsite

About The Position

Summary/Objective: CHJC’s Family Permanency Program (FPP) is funded through the New York State Office of Children and Family Services and serves families in Jefferson, Lewis, Oswego and St. Lawrence Counties. The target population is exclusively families who have finalized the adoption of their child(ren), families with legal guardianship of their child(ren), with or without a KinGap agreement, and families with formal or informal custody agreements. The program model is trauma-informed, child-centered, and family-focused, and culturally responsive. The model takes a strength-based approach to family engagement and is non-judgmental and affirming. Program services are evidence-based, easily accessible, as well as flexible and adaptable to the family’s needs. The program model is designed to: · Promote permanency for post-adoptive, post-guardianship, and kinship families. · Provide assistance to families so children may be cared for in their own homes with their adoptive parent(s), legal guardian(s), or kinship caregiver(s); and · Strengthen post-adoptive, post-guardianship, and kinship families to avoid foster care or other out-of-home placements. The FES works as a member of the treatment team to deliver high intensity case management to assigned youth and families.

Requirements

Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, or human services, or a bachelor’s level degree in any fields with at least two years of case management experience; or an associate level degree in psychology or human services with at least two years of experience.
Understanding of and experience with Strength-Based and Individualized Care Approach to working with children and families.
Requires self-direction, tact, diplomacy, and the ability to be clear, courteous, and professional.
Must demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills and the ability to work cooperatively with others.
Must be detail oriented.
Must maintain privacy of confidential information.
Successful completion of routine pre-employment requirements as mandated by the New York State Department of Health, Office of Mental Health and Office of Children and Family Services along with ongoing clearances and exclusion checks. These requirements are to include employment health requirements, reference checks, criminal background checks/fingerprinting, State Central Registry clearance and your eligibility to work in the United States.
A valid NYS driver’s license required.
Corporate Compliance, HIPAA Privacy Security, and Workplace Harassment and Discrimination Training will be required following date of hire.

Responsibilities

Assists in gathering essential documentation for program enrollment
Collaborates with clinical staff to completes required assessments and work with the family to create treatment plans/goals
Monitors progress toward treatment plans/goals
Schedules/facilitates regular treatment team meetings
Identifies areas of concern/barriers to goal achievement, discusses immediate needs and concerns with youth and caregivers, assists in the development of safety/emergency plans
Provides regular and ongoing support, conducts required home visits
Monitors physical, mental, and behavioral health concerns, obtains regular updates from providers
Performs risk and safety assessments in the family home
Links and refers family members to necessary services
Completes all OCFS/CHJC mandated reports and forms in a timely fashion, maintains case records, prepares all monthly reports, and provides thorough documentation of all casework activities
Assists in the scheduling/facilitation of peer support group activities for youth and parents
Assists in the facilitation of engagement/enrichment activities
Maintains contact with all members of the treatment team
Assists in recruitment and community education efforts
Is knowledgeable of adoption and kinship and provides education to families