Children and Family Services Specialist Full Time

Salary: $16.50 - $19.00 Depending on Education, experience, training, etc

Job Purpose: Empower parents to effectively parent their child/ren providing parent education using research and evidenced based tools, provide supervised visitation and ensure safety of children, and provide safety stops for children in the home and observe and report any safety concerns. Works closely with department of child protective services. 

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• Work with parents to determine parental needs and interests for future parent education sessions.
• Collect information about clients through interviews, observation, and collateral contacts. 
• Complete AAPI-2 and family assessment
• Develop and implement service plans.
• Provide supervision and ensure safety for children on visits
• Provide safety stops at home of child and observe and report safety concerns
• Provide professionally written documentation following each visit. 
• Maintain all required treatment records and reports as required by agency guidelines.  
• Implement designated parenting education curriculum/interventions to foster the acquisition of parenting skills.
• Foster self-determination by helping parents learn skills they need to care for their family’s needs.
• Modify interventions/activities and approaches to comply with client status changes. 
• Ensure a high standard of ethics by providing for family confidentiality.
• Participate fully as a team member by developing professional relationships with team members and fostering good rapport with county referral sources.
• Provide recommendations for referrals to other agencies for their families as needed.
• Work collaboratively with other agencies to enhance services to families.
• May be responsible for the transporting of children between locations. 
• Attend training relating to professional growth and maintain professional development expectations as outlined in the SCCS policy manual.
• Maintain knowledge of current parent education practices.

• Understand and follow the policies and procedures of the Family Intervention Program and of Stein Counseling & Consulting Services, Ltd., as outlined in the department and agency policy manuals.
• Participate in regularly scheduled supervision and ongoing evaluation.
• Maintain awareness of behavioral, crisis-management techniques, and personal safety as well as physical skills necessary relative to frequent travel/driving.
• Develop personal and professional goals annually.
• Maintain acceptable ratings (85% or better) in all areas of performance reviews (job performance, supervisor ratings, collateral ratings, QAUR, etc.).
• Perform other duties and responsibilities consistent with this position description, as requested by the Program Supervisor/Manager and/or President of Stein Counseling & Consulting Services, Ltd.

CHARM DUTIES:

• Drive to the client’s home and ensure the safety of the children in the client’s care.
• Observe and report on what the social worker is requesting as reason for the stops taking place.
• Provide professionally written documentation following each CHARM stop. 
• Administer urinalysis or breathalyzer if necessary and as requested by the social worker.

Work Environment: Services are primarily provided in the homes of clients, which may require working in

undesirable environments which may include unclean homes. This position also requires: dealing with resistant and reluctant clientele and an ability to manage conflict; the ability to work without close supervision; the ability to meet strict deadlines, as outlined by state and agency expectations; and the ability to work with external customers and/or the public. This position requires transporting identified clients and children. Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds. Must possess a valid driver’s license, a driving record in good standing and sufficient automobile insurance (as defined in the SCCS policy manual).

Knowledge/Skills:

• Possess strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Must be familiar with the community and community support agencies
• Possess knowledge of child development and effective parenting techniques
• Must exhibit a willingness to assist in the personal development of families
• Must be flexible and adaptable to meet the needs of the families and program
• Employ effective interviewing procedures 
• Objectively and professionally document/record information per state and agency expectations
• Consistently make sound decisions and problem solve effectively
• Communicate professionally with supervisors, peers and persons outside organization
• Resolve conflicts and effectively employ negotiation skills with others 
• Possess basic knowledge of computers (Word, email, internet, etc) 
• Possess the ability to work independently, including organizing, planning, and prioritizing work 
• Use conflict resolution techniques 
• Maintain emotional control under stress
• Advise clients in emergency situations 
• Follow confidentiality procedures 
• Understand and adhere to healthy boundaries with clients
• Relate to clients' socioeconomic conditions 
• Evaluate client response to Parent Education
• Use appropriate Parent Education techniques 
• Make recommendations to community services or resources 

Education and Experience: Experience working in a social services or educational setting. Experience working with parents and children from birth to thirteen. Experience working with families of diverse cultural and economic backgrounds. Ideal candidate will possess a bachelor’s degree in Child Development, Psychology, Social Work, Family Studies, or other related field.  Must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work within the concept of a team. Requires valid Wisconsin driver’s license and reliable transportation with adequate auto liability insurance and a good driving record.

Supervised by: This position will receive supervision from a Program Supervisor.

Hours:  This position requires a flexible schedule—must be willing to work evenings and the occasional weekend.