Family Support Specialist

JAFCO•Sunrise, FL

13d•Onsite

About The Position

The Family Support Specialist/Social Worker is a member of a team coordinating services for children under the care and supervision of JAFCO’s family preservation, foster care, adoption, emergency shelter, and group home programs. The specialist advocates for children and families and works to provide and facilitate the best possible care and treatment available. The role includes receiving referrals, assessing children’s and families’ strengths and needs, developing service plans, providing ongoing support, and connecting families with community resources. The specialist conducts home visits and support groups, maintains case records, and coordinates with schools, courts, healthcare providers, therapists, and other professionals. The role also provides therapeutic supervised visitation, clinical support to agency programs, and on-call support in rotation with the clinical team. The specialist is expected to integrate trauma-informed care and a person-centered approach into daily practice, follow Florida child abuse reporting rules, communicate safety concerns to leadership, and prepare a termination summary before a child’s discharge. Work hours must be flexible to meet family needs, including two to three evening hours per week and weekends as needed. The position is full time and based in Sunrise, Florida.

Requirements

Master’s degree in social work or psychology.
At least two years of direct experience working with families and children.
Relevant experience, education, 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.
Ability to facilitate meetings, give oral presentations, and navigate 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 hours that meet the needs of children and families, including two to three evenings per week and weekends as needed.
Completion of annual 40-hour in-service agency training.
CPR, First Aid, and Water Safety certification; the agency will train and certify after hire.
PCM certification for Practitioner 2; the agency will train and certify after hire. Accommodation may be available if needed.
Valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
Physically capable of safely driving an automobile.
Ability to sit and stand for long periods as needed.
Ability to lift, push, or pull up to 25 pounds.
Strongly preferred: maintain Bodily Injury Liability insurance of $100,000 per claim and $300,000 per incident on a personal automobile when driving clients.

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 an initial intake for referrals to assess the child’s and family’s strengths, needs, abilities, and preferences.
Identify and develop service goals, plans, and recommendations for children and families.
Schedule regular ongoing home visits and maintain professional relationships with families.
Provide ongoing support and information to families in accordance 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 assist families in accessing appropriate resources.
Maintain timely case notes, file documentation, and required paperwork according to 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 the child and family as needed.
Communicate with schools, psychiatrists, therapists, pediatricians, and other professionals working with the child and family.
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 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.