Family Support Specialist

JEWISH ADOPTION AND FOSTER CARE OPTIONS INC•Sunrise, FL

About The Position

The Family Support Specialist/Social Worker is a member of a team coordinating 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 provide and facilitate appropriate care and treatment. The role includes intake and assessment, service planning, home visits, family support, resource navigation, documentation, supervised visitation, court and school participation, and collaboration with families and professionals. The specialist integrates trauma-informed care and a person-centered approach into daily practice, provides on-call and clinical support as needed, and follows Florida child-abuse reporting rules.

Requirements

Master’s degree in social work or psychology.
At least two years of direct experience working with families and children.
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 sufficient to perform the essential job duties.
Demonstrated ability in meeting facilitation, oral presentations, and handling situations of 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 (2–3 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.
Ability to drive an automobile safely.
Ability to sit and stand for extended periods as needed; regularly talk or hear; frequently stand, walk, handle or feel objects, and reach with hands and arms; and lift, push, or pull up to 25 pounds.
Strongly preferred: 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 initial intakes to assess each child 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 help families access 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 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 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.