Family Service Specialist

Youth Villages • Memphis, TN

188d • $52,000 - $60,000

About The Position

Youth Villages is a nonprofit organization striving to help troubled youth and families live successfully. We are a team of 5,000+ individuals who’ve come together across 29 states to change the landscape of child welfare and juvenile justice across the country. Our work involves providing an array of counseling and treatment services to youth with severe emotional and behavioral problems. Eighty-eight percent of those who go through treatment are succeeding two years after leaving our program. These youth are living at home, remaining in school, and are not experiencing trouble with the law. We believe strongly in investing in and supporting our employees. We offer candidates opportunities to develop a career and be part of a positive change in our country’s treatment of at-risk youth and families.

Requirements

• A Master's degree in a social services discipline is strongly preferred.
• A Bachelor's degree in a social services discipline is required.
• One year of related experience in counseling and/or case management is required.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent written, verbal, and oral skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Basic computer knowledge.
• Ability to maintain a flexible schedule.
• Acceptable driving record - Three or fewer moving violations within the past 36 months.

Responsibilities

• Provides care coordination services to families who have been diverted from states custody through the Child Protective Services system.
• Responsible for creating and/or monitoring the non-custodial permanency plan and ensuring that adequate services and assistance are provided to youth and families to complete the action steps on the plan.
• Responsible for maintaining child records.
• Ensuring that placement is stable and meeting the needs of the youth and coordinating needed placement with the main purpose of preventing a custodial placement with the state.
• Primary liaison between team members including; provider agencies, courts, schools, attorneys, guardian ad litem, CASA, provider services, biological families or caregivers and any other involved parties.
• Carry caseload of approximately 20 cases.
• Serves Shelby county; regional travel to other surrounding counties will be required.
• Work flexible hours including weekends, holidays and after hours, including some on-call rotation.
• Work in a team setting.
• Learn and have competency with Department of Children’s Services policies that guide care and services for youth and families.
• Provide case-management/care coordination services to youth and families on case load.
• Ensure intensity of services to maintain children with caregivers and prevent a state’s custody episode.
• Monitor relative and kinship options for children to have back up prevention plans for removals and safety.
• Ensure that all needs of youth and families are met, including; mental health, medical, dental, education, placement/safety and legal.
• Facilitate the forward progress of the youth’s treatment and ensure the youth is in the least restrictive setting that is safely possible.
• Conduct frequent home and site visits.
• Prepare for, organize, notify other team members and lead Team Meetings.
• Prepare for, organize, notify other team members and participate in court hearings.
• Attend weekly case review and other weekly business meetings with supervisor and leadership team.
• Monitor and ensure timely completion/resolution of legal needs.
• Make recommendations to and collaborate closely with external and internal customers.
• Ensure quick and timely responses to all customers within the team.
• Be a primary liaison between youth, family and other team members.
• Attend school meetings as needed and ensure youth is placed in the least restrictive/most appropriate school setting.
• Meet on call requirements; on call 5am-5pm for youth on caseload.
• Have ability to manage multiple priorities at once, while staying organized and meeting paperwork compliance deadlines.
• Have strong attention to details through documentation and follow through with set plans.
• Gather pertinent assessment information using clinical skills, critical thinking and problem solving.
• Complete all necessary documentation including non-custodial permanency planning and FAST assessments.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Prescription Drug Coverage and Vision.
• 401(k).
• 2 weeks paid vacation.
• 12 paid sick days per year.
• 11 paid holidays.
• Paid Parental Leave.
• Mileage & Cell Phone Reimbursement (when applicable).
• Tuition reimbursement and licensure supervision.
• Growth & development through continuous training.
• Clinical and administrative advancement opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Master's degree