Family Support Specialist

JAFCO•Sunrise, FL

13d

About The Position

The Family Support Specialist/Social Worker is a team member who coordinates services for children in JAFCO’s family preservation, foster care, adoption, emergency shelter, and group home programs. The specialist advocates for children and families and works to facilitate the best possible care and treatment available. The role includes assessing referrals, planning and coordinating services, maintaining relationships with families, collaborating with professionals and community providers, and integrating trauma-informed and person-centered approaches into daily work. The position requires flexibility to meet family needs, including evening hours two to three times per week and weekends as needed, and participation in an on-call rotation.

Requirements

Master’s degree in social work or psychology.
At least two years of direct experience working with families and children.
Relevant experience, education, or training and working knowledge of community development practice, crisis and trauma counseling, developmental disabilities, mental health and illness, behavioral issues, anger management, and drug and alcohol issues.
Demonstrated ability in meeting facilitation, oral presentations, and situations involving conflict.
Ability to work within complex systems and help others navigate them.
Understanding of treatment programs and mental health terminology, including diagnostic categories.
Knowledge of privacy guidelines and ability to communicate difficult or sensitive information.
Ability to work in a diverse community with children of varied ages and backgrounds who present a range of difficulties and personal issues.
Flexibility to work evenings two to three times per week and weekends as needed to meet children’s and families’ needs.
Completion of 40 hours of annual in-service agency training.
CPR, First Aid, and Water Safety certification; the agency will train and certify after hire.
PCM certification for Practitioner 2; training and certification will be provided after hire, and accommodation may be available if needed.
Valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
Strongly preferred: maintain bodily injury liability insurance of $100,000 per claim and $300,000 per incident on a personal automobile when driving clients.
Physical ability to drive an automobile safely, sit and stand for extended periods as needed, and lift, push, or pull up to 25 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Maintain bodily injury liability insurance of $100,000 per claim and $300,000 per incident on a personal automobile when driving clients.

Responsibilities

Receive and document referrals for clinical services made to the agency.
Conduct initial intakes for referrals to assess the strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences of children and families.
Identify and develop service goals, plans, and recommendations for children and families.
Schedule regular, ongoing home visits and maintain a professional relationship with families.
Provide ongoing support and information to families consistent with regulatory and professional standards and the agency’s mission, vision, and values.
Conduct support groups as scheduled by the agency.
Maintain awareness of community services and help families access appropriate resources.
Maintain timely case notes, file documentation, and required paperwork in accordance with agency policy.
Meet productivity standards and requirements.
Conduct therapeutic supervised visitation and prepare visitation summaries and court reports.
Attend court hearings, IEP and other school meetings, and other provider meetings related to children and families as needed.
Communicate with schools, psychiatrists, therapists, pediatricians, and other professionals working with children and families.
Attend individual supervision and staff meetings.
Integrate the Trauma Informed Care Model and Person-Centered Approach into procedures, practices, and daily interactions.
Collaborate with schools and community professionals to support clients systemically and continue trauma-informed care.
Provide on-call support in rotation with the clinical team.
Provide clinical support to programs at the Village and other sites as needed.
Follow Florida Child Abuse Reporting Rules.
Share safety-related concerns with the direct supervisor, Clinical Director, and Director of Operations and Clinical Services.
Prepare a termination summary before a child’s discharge from the program.
Perform other duties as requested or assigned.