Family Specialist

PATHWAYS YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES INC•Dallas, TX

1d•$19 - $21•Onsite

About The Position

The Family Specialist provides ongoing monitoring, support, and case management services to foster/adopt families and clients. The position supports foster families in meeting DFPS Minimum Standards and Pathways policies and procedures, assists with documentation of Service Plan goals, conducts and documents home visits and training, and creates and monitors Action/Safety Plans. The role responds to internal placement referrals, prepares families and children for placement, completes placement activities and documentation, and follows up after placement to assess children’s wellbeing and safety. The Family Specialist coordinates and monitors Service Plans, educational and health services, monthly contacts, court hearings, and permanency planning meetings, and collaborates on behavioral interventions. Documentation must be completed or uploaded within two business days. This is a full-time, non-exempt position with an estimated caseload of 30 to 35 clients. It is primarily community based, with some office-based work and required local travel. The Family Specialist sets work hours subject to supervisor approval and must accommodate meetings with staff, children, and families, including evenings and weekends when needed. The role reports to the Program Coordinator / Program Director and does not supervise staff.

Requirements

Meet one of the following education and experience options: a master’s degree in a human services field from an accredited college or university and one year of supervised child-placing experience, with at least nine graduate-level credit hours focused on family and individual function and interaction or 350 hours of formal supervised field placement or practicum with a social or human services agency; a master’s degree from an accredited college or university and two years of supervised child-placing experience; a bachelor’s degree in a human services field and two years of supervised child-placing experience; a bachelor’s degree and three years of supervised child-placing experience; or a bachelor’s degree with direct supervision from a person meeting one of the listed qualifications.
Thorough working knowledge of the needs of children placed in substitute care.
Ability to support the agency’s culture, growth, and success through communication, accountability, and positivity.
Ability to be clear-headed and decisive within the scope of the position.
Ability to work effectively and efficiently independently and as part of a team.
Ability to accept feedback through supervision and demonstrate willingness to learn, grow, and improve.
Effective oral and written communication skills.
Ability to approach care and services from a strengths-based perspective.
Competence using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, GoTo Meeting, the Internet, and other software applications.
Effective organizational skills.
Valid Texas Type C driver’s license and at least three years of driving experience.
Access to reliable transportation, current auto insurance, and a cleared motor vehicle driving record.
Provide three employment references.
Pass a criminal background check and sign a statement regarding felony indictments or convictions.
Provide current cleared TB test results, obtained within 12 months before employment.
Pass a pre-employment drug test.
Have a working cellular telephone.
Ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
With or without reasonable accommodation, meet physical and mental demands that may include frequent seeing, hearing, speaking, writing, sitting, standing, and walking; occasional reaching, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling; walking for long periods, including on inclines and uneven terrain, climbing stairs, and frequently lifting or moving up to 25 pounds.

Responsibilities

Support foster families in complying with DFPS Minimum Standards and Pathways’ policies and procedures.
Assist foster/adopt parents in documenting progress toward Service Plan goals.
Conduct and document monthly and quarterly visits to assigned foster/adopt homes.
Provide training during quarterly home visits.
Create and ensure compliance with Action/Safety Plans.
Complete or upload required documentation within two business days.
Respond to internal placement referrals and identify and prepare families and children for placement.
Conduct placements and complete required placement documentation and training when necessary.
Conduct seven-day post-placement follow-ups to assess child wellbeing and safety.
Assess and ensure the child’s wellbeing and safety on an ongoing basis.
Schedule and facilitate Service Plan meetings and support the development and implementation of Service Plans.
Monitor foster/adopt homes and services provided to children through at least monthly contacts.
Ensure educational services are provided, and link assessments and plans to children’s educational needs in public school settings, including attending ARD meetings and requesting special services.
Ensure medical, dental, and other health-related appointments occur within required timeframes.
Attend court hearings and permanency planning meetings and share information with children’s legal representatives and treatment teams.
Complete monthly documentation on children’s progress toward Service Plan goals.
Plan, implement, and review behavioral interventions in conjunction with the CPMS, Program Director, and/or Treatment Director.