Family Services Specialist I - Foster Care

Virginia Department of Social Services•Chesapeake, VA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This position involves providing comprehensive services to clients and families within the foster care system. The role requires conducting assessments, developing and implementing service plans, and providing direct counseling and support. Responsibilities include coordinating with external agencies, conducting home visits, and managing client records. The specialist will also be involved in recruiting and training foster parents and volunteers, providing information to the public, and performing routine office tasks. Emergency services and crisis intervention are key components of this role, which may also involve court testimony and client placement. The position requires participation in on-call duties and may necessitate working beyond normal hours during emergencies.

Requirements

Requires a valid driver’s license and a driving record that is in compliance with City Driving Standards.
Emergency Duty (On-Call) participation is required to comply with mandated responsibilities as listed under Section 63.2-1503,B; Section 63.2-900; and 63.2-1604-63.2-1610, Code of Virginia.
Employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term departmental needs and/or City-wide emergencies.

Nice To Haves

Familiar with Foster Care within the State of Virginia.
Some knowledge of Social Work principles and practices
Provides case management services to monitor compliance
Provides after hours on-call coverage and responds to emergencies in Foster Care.

Responsibilities

Conducts interviews or investigations and makes client/family assessments; formulates and implements plans; screens interstate referrals; sends out and reviews home study information.
Provides individual and group counseling for client and family.
Prepares purchase orders for client services, and negotiates provider rates; confirms provider availability and service authorization; verifies client information; processes invoices for payment.
Interacts/coordinates with other agencies, organizations, or family/community members to provide services for client and family/prior custodians; makes referrals for other social services.
Conducts home visits to supervise, observe, and document family interactions, activities, and environment; establishes schedule with parents/prior custodians for child visitation.
Provides direct services to clients/families including teaching basic living, parenting, budgeting, or employment skills, providing mediation counseling, and accompanying clients to appointments.
Collects and compiles information/data, and prepares periodic and special reports; maintains files/records for area of responsibility; develops program forms.
Provides emergency services/crisis intervention for clients/families; protects clients through court involvement; testifies at local, state, and judicial appeals; provides client placement as needed.
Conducts pre-service foster parent orientations and classes to evaluate/screen applicants; recruits and conducts training classes and orientations for volunteers.
Provides information to public on eligibility requirements and available services for assigned area.
Performs routine office tasks such as dictating case notes, data entry, typing correspondence or forms, filing, faxing, telephoning, or photocopying.
Conducts training classes for service providers; certifies and recertifies approved providers; attends professional workshops and seminars to improve professional skills.
Rotates through various service provider roles in such areas as CPS, foster care, and adoption.
Performs other related duties as assigned.