Rochester Group Home Family Specialist
About The Position
The Family Specialist coordinates therapeutic activities for youth and families to help youth live safely, productively, and independently in their home communities. The role supports youth and families throughout the course of care, from assessment and supportive counseling through treatment and discharge planning. It involves providing calm, solution-focused support during crises; facilitating groups that build independent-living skills; advocating for youth’s educational needs; and using home visits to strengthen trust and communication between youth and family. The Family Specialist also coordinates with care teams, schools, referring agencies, and county caseworkers, and maintains timely, accurate documentation in accordance with state and agency standards. The position is full-time in Rochester, New York, with a flexible shift and travel of up to 25%. New hires must complete two to three weeks of mandatory, fully paid training, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with full attendance required before transitioning to their assigned shift.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field.
- One to three years of experience working with diverse youth and families.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule, including night and weekend hours as necessary.
- Current, valid driver’s license and an driving history acceptable to the Agency.
- Ability to work with economically and culturally diverse populations.
- Ability to handle crisis intervention in a solution-focused manner.
- Written, verbal, and listening communication skills.
Nice To Haves
- Master of Social Work (MSW) degree preferred.
Responsibilities
- Provide a steady, calm, solution-focused presence during crises to help youth restore safety and stability.
- Support youth and families through assessment, supportive counseling, treatment planning, and discharge planning.
- Facilitate psycho-educational and independent-living groups covering budgeting, job applications, cooking, housing, healthcare, and daily living skills.
- Connect school and home by attending CSE and IEP meetings, advocating for appropriate supports, and maintaining educational continuity during transitions.
- Serve as a mentor, job coach, educator, and advocate, including helping youth prepare for interviews and navigate difficult family conversations.
- Structure home visits around goals that rebuild trust and communication between youth and family.
- Lead treatment reviews to align the team around a shared plan and a clear record of progress.
- Maintain working relationships with referring agencies and county caseworkers to support coordinated, uninterrupted services.
- Complete accurate and timely documentation of each youth’s progress in accordance with state and agency standards.
Benefits
- Paid orientation and training: two to three weeks of mandatory training, fully paid.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
