Practitioner - FPS

Family Connections, Inc.•Irvington, NJ

About The Position

The Family Preservation Services Practitioner provides direct in-home services to families following the New Jersey Family Preservation model. This role requires a strong commitment to racial equity, cultural humility, and a strengths-based perspective, always prioritizing the needs of the clients. The practitioner is expected to adhere to all Agency policies and procedures, including HIPAA confidentiality. Professionalism is key, involving proactive team participation, respect for colleagues, openness to constructive criticism, and a willingness to take on additional tasks. The role also involves consistent engagement in supervision, demonstrating self-awareness, and utilizing feedback for professional growth.

Requirements

Master’s in Social Work or equivalent master’s in human services or Bachelor's degree in social work or related field with at least one and a half years’ experience working with families experiencing crisis.
Must possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey with safe driving record.
Experience working with diverse populations.
Availability to conduct sessions on evenings, weekends and holidays.
Knowledge of the child welfare system, community resources, social services, and mental health systems.
Knowledge of appropriate interventions in crisis and non-crisis situations.
Knowledge of infant, child and adolescent stages of growth and development.
Knowledge of trauma and its effect on children and families.
Knowledge of county’s local and highway roads.
Excellent time management skills.
Organizational skills with the ability to manage families and systems of care simultaneously to promote best practices.
Outstanding human relations skills and the ability to function autonomously and in a team environment.
Effective oral and written communication skills.
Effectively solve problems and communicate information, including the identification and communication of problems and/or issues with appropriate team and management staff.
Ability to utilize approaches with children and families.
Model, coach, support, and mentor parents on use of nurturing and safe parenting.
Ability to deliver and score assessment tools.
Excellent computer skills with proficiency and working knowledge of database and reporting tools such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint and/or electronic health record systems.
Safely operate a motor vehicle abiding by all applicable traffic laws.
Ensure safety of all passengers through appropriate safety measures including use of seat belts, car and booster seats and/or child safety locks.
Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States and eligible for full‑time employment on a W‑2 basis.
This role must be performed in a manner that is fully compliant with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws, including those of the State of New Jersey.

Nice To Haves

Open, warm, empathic, attentive listener, self-aware, ethical, creative, organized, flexible, open to constructive feedback, patient, responsible, able to work independently, mature, self-motivated, dedicated, enthusiastic, willing to take on additional tasks and responsibilities, interested in seeking additional training and skills.
Willingness to work with culturally diverse populations.

Responsibilities

Provide short term intensive in-home services to a minimum of two families at any given time and up to 18 families yearly.
Provides 24/7 on-call coverage in accordance with the FPS Model requirements to assigned families.
Assist families with establishing goals and strategies for increasing self-sufficiency and provide appropriate referrals and concrete services when necessary.
Provide ongoing assessments for safety risks and utilize interventions to mitigate safety issues.
Case presentation and Documentation
Active part of Family Preservation Services team
Attend meetings, prepare case presentations
Maintain accurate and compliant case records in accordance with NJ FPS documentation standards.
Completes timely documentation as per agency and program guidelines.
Manage time effectively by scheduling and completing all weekly sessions needed in a flexible manner, prioritizing family availability.
Conduct all required services from intake through termination in accordance with the NJ Family Preservation Services (FPS) Model.
Model self-advocacy with families by coaching and empowering them to speak for themselves, while also representing and supporting them in court, school settings, and social service agencies as needed.
Collaborate closely with DCP&P staff and referred families to effectively achieve established goals and fulfill service planning requirements set by DCP&P.
Work effectively as a team member as well as independently.
Complete Family Preservation Services training and other training’s required by Family Connections and/or DCF.
Uphold fidelity to the Family Preservation Services model
In times of crisis is willing to help others and communicates urgent information quickly to supervisor / team.
Maintains clear, consistent, and timely communication with supervisor, before and after sessions and as necessary.
Is punctual for client appointments, meetings, etc.
Meets program productivity requirements
Acts as a Family Connections ambassador in every interaction with families, providers, community agencies etc.
Other duties as assigned