In Home Support Specialist, Therapeutic Shelter Home
About The Position
At Wayfinder Family Services, we understand the unique challenges facing some of our state’s most vulnerable children, youth and adults. Those with disabilities, those without a home of their own, those who have been abused and many, many more. We answer the call for them. We believe in the amazing potential in, and for, each and every one of them. And, together, we find a way to turn that potential into reality. Program and Role Summary: The primary focus of the In Home Support Specialist ,is to provide direct care for Therapeutic Shelter Homes children/youth aged 0-17. The In-Home Family Specialist’s role is focused on helping the children/youth adjust to the shelter home environment and transition into community settings including family homes, relative homes, foster homes or other more long-term settings. The In-Home Family Specialist focuses on fostering daily living skills, socialization, independence, and behavior management within the maximum 10-day stay of children/youth in the program. They support resource families with guidance and resources while promptly addressing crises to ensure resident safety and well-being, utilizing intervention techniques and teamwork for resolution.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, counseling, or related field from an accredited university is preferred, plus one (1) year of experience in mental health, residential setting, or related field OR Associate's degree plus three (3) years’ experience in mental health, residential setting, or related field OR High school diploma or GED equivalent plus (7) years of experience in mental health, residential setting, or related field.
- Valid California driver's license and eligibility to drive agency vehicles.
- Experience working with high-risk children, adolescents, adults, and/or families within the Wraparound, Mental Health, Educational, Child Welfare, and/or Juvenile Probation systems is required.
- Must be 21 years of age to drive agency vehicles.
Responsibilities
- Participate in various activities in an effort to engage child/youth, such as, but not limited to, outings as appropriate, homework help, and activities to promote social, emotional, and cultural health.
- Participate in Child Family Team (CFT) meetings for minors to facilitate placement planning.
- Notify DCFS co-located staff aware of any children/youth’s challenging and difficult behaviors so that these can be documented and the APT (placement search team) can be made aware of how to meet the children/youth’s needs.
- Assist in transportation needs of youth such as, but not limited to, medical emergencies, medical appointments and relocation of youth to alternate TSH within same TSH Agency.
- Provide TSH Resource Parent with respite care.
- At request of TSH Resource Parent, as deemed necessary and as agreed by both TSH Resource parent and TSH Agency, TSH Support staff may assume direct care of TSH youth to provide short-term relief from primary caregiver responsibilities.
- Complete an Unusual Incident Report and cross-report to CPM or designee, DCFS Co-located Staff, CCL, and DCFS Hotline as necessary.
- Assist TSH Resource Parent and collaborate with DCFS with preplacement efforts including Get to Know (G2K) calls and offer support to TSH minor/youth.
- Assist TSH Resource Parent to secure environment and prepare home for shelter placement of minors including but not limited to identifying items that may be of danger.
- Utilizes Welligent EHR system to complete documentation; intakes, safety plans, progress notes, incident reports, discharges, etc.).
Benefits
- Paid Time Off: Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) policy, 11 paid holidays, plus five winter holidays
- Medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan with employer match up to 4%
- Employee referral program: Encourage your colleagues to join us
- Education tuition assistance program: Invest in your career development
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible
- Flexible spending account (FSA) plans
- Eligibility and other benefits are outlined in plan documents
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
Number of Employees
101-250 employees
