Family Support Specialist I - Community Support for Families

Company: The Village for Families and Children
Location: Hartford
Posted on: September 13, 2020

Job Description:

Job Description: Do you enjoy advocating for families and children, helping them build their resiliency and capabilities? Are you adept at requesting resources and supports for families and engaging them in a service plan. Are you knowledgeable about the family serving system within Connecticut and have a strong connection to the city of Hartford? As a family support specialist at The Village, you would serve as a change agent for our agency and the families we serve. As part of your professional development, you would learn and receive training in evidence based practices, exciting approaches and data-driven family decision making. You would be part of the states differential response system, networking with other regional providers and learning the child service landscape. ABOUT THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES PROGRAM Community Support for Families is a voluntary, family-driven program that helps families strengthen natural and community support systems to maintain safe and healthy home environments, reducing the risk of child abuse and neglect. Staff work with families to create an individualized care plan focused on the families strengths and needs, and rooted in each familys culture and experiences. ABOUT THE VILLAGE The Village was one of the first agencies in the country to provide homes for neglected children. Today, we continue to achieve our mission "to build a community of strong, healthy families who protect and nurture children" by providing a full range of behavioral health, early childhood and youth development, substance abuse treatment, and support services for children, families and adults in the Greater Hartford region. Our staff are energetic, enthusiastic, mission-driven and open to learning. If youd like to grow your career in a diverse and supportive environment rich with learning opportunities, join us! JOBS SUMMARY The Family Support Specialist is responsible for a range of case management and support services, coordinating services for children, families, and community programs. Specialist will develop service plans and provide intensive case management services specific to familys strengths and needs. The worker will maintain familiarity of local community supports to assist with connecting families to needed services. Staff must be familiar with the DCF Region 4 (Hartford and Manchester) communities and services providers. RESPONSIBILITIES Provision of direct services to children and their families which may include: Assessment and engagement, formulation and contracting for services or treatment plan, implementation of treatment plan modifying as appropriate during the course of service, discharge planning which may include plans for follow up treatment and connection to community services and programs, case management, and work with community groups in collaborative ventures. Provision of Service in the office, home or host setting, to meet the unique needs of families serve Accurate and timely completion of clinical documentation and reports, and any other documentation and reports required by agency and program policies and funding sources. Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with other community agencies and organizations in consultation with supervisor, in order to provide comprehensive and effective treatment services for clients (i.e. schools, courts, hospitals, etc. Works as a team member with other clinical and administrative staff to respond to client and programmatic needs. Knowledge and implementation of agency policies and procedures. Partners with supervisor to identify areas and develop plans for professional growth. Contributes to agency organizational life by participating in agency wide task forces, committees or problem solving teams as appropriate. Contributes to agency visibility and development of community linkages by representing the Village in community groups or committees, as assigned by supervisor. Other duties or responsibilities as determined by management. Staff is responsible for attending individual and group supervision. Other duties as assigned. Experience and Skills: BA in the human services field or BSW required; 3 years experience in a comparable position in a human services agency preferred. Excellent oral and written skills and ability to communicate comfortably with children, parents, and school personnel Organized and able to work independently with minimal supervision. Flexible and able to multi-task. Ability to work in multifacet department and partnership Experience working with inner-city children. Commitment to Results/Performance Based Accountability. May be required to maintain valid drivers license and ability to drive or otherwise obtain transportation to provide services throughout the service area. Proficient with word processing and spreadsheet applications. Possess solid general computer skills, including ability to work in a Windows XP environment. Familiarity with specific applications used by the Village a plus. Cultural competency to serve targeted populations. Bilingual skills may be required. Physically able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodations; able to function safely in a therapeutic situations including provision of services in clients homes or host settings; able to travel to various sites throughout greater Hartford. ABOUT THE VILLAGE The Village was one of the first agencies in the country to provide homes for neglected children. Today, we continue to achieve our mission "to build a community of strong, healthy families who protect and nurture children" by providing a full range of behavioral health, early childhood and youth development, substance abuse treatment, and support services for children, families and adults in the Greater Hartford region. Our staff are energetic, enthusiastic, mission-driven and open to learning. If youd like to grow your career in a diverse and supportive environment rich with learning opportunities, join us! Job Benefits: EMPLOYEE BENEFITS The Village offers a comprehensive flexible benefits package designed to aid in the health and well-being of our employees and their dependents, including: Good Health Aetna Medical and Prescription Coverage Health Savings Account (HSA), with employer contribution of up to $1,000 per year Dental and Vision Insurance Flexible Spending Account (FSA) Annual on-site flu clinics Secured Future Employer paid Life and AD&D Insurance Employer paid Dependent Life Insurance Employer paid Long-Term Disability Insurance Employer Paid Business Travel Insurance Retirement 403(b) Plan with Employer Contribution and Match Advancement in your Career Annual Professional License Reimbursement Clinical Supervision toward Licensure Continuing Education Units (CEUs) Student Loan Forgiveness Program National Health Service Corp (NHSC) Tuition Reimbursement Work/Life Balance Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Employer paid and confidential counseling services Paid Holidays Paid time off; including 15 days of vacation, 12 days of sick and bereavement leave.

Keywords: The Village for Families and Children, Hartford , Family Support Specialist I - Community Support for Families, Other , Hartford, Connecticut