Family Preservation Specialist Full Time

The Compass Program Family Preservation Specialist reports to the Director of the Compass Program.  They will work as part of a team providing emergency crisis response, assessment and case planning, case management, family preservation services, and access to healthcare for at-risk youth 12-23 and their families within the St Albans DCF district and will bring a family systems theory knowledge base to the team approach. This is a full time exempt position with an annual salary of $50,000.00.

This position is in St. Albans.

The Family Preservation Specialist, in coordination with the Compass Program team will achieve this goal by assessing and assisting youth and their families in identifying their goals and developing a strengths-based plan of care to help them meet their goals.

The Family Preservation Specialist will provide family systems theory-based consultation to the team on cases, carry a caseload, and provide case management that will emphasize accessing housing, jobs, education, and the development of strong ties with natural support networks, including families, local community organizations, and other significant adults. Family preservation specialist will work in coordination with other clinical staff to support family preservation and stabilization of the family system.

Essential Functions

• Maintaining a case load, providing direct services and service coordination to at least 12-20 youth and families (if available) monthly
• Maintaining appropriate documentation in client files, completion of monthly web-based data reporting, and providing other program information as requested
• Assisting clients in developing individualized comprehensive plan of care
• Outreaching to local community resources and referral sources including DCF to coordinate services, and to provide outreach and education to other providers about the services being offered
• To provide case management including efforts to:
  • Assist youth in identifying their goals
  • Conduct formal assessment of the youth’s risks and needs for support, stabilization, and additional resources.
  • Assist youth in developing a plan that uses their strengths to help them meet their goals
  • Assist youth in attaining sustainable employment
  • Assist youth in identifying their goals to complete secondary education and prepare, enroll, and complete post-secondary education
  • Assist youth in accessing and maintaining affordable housing
  • Assist youth in accessing health care
  • Assist youth in identifying and developing lifelong connections and support from caring adults.

• Family Preservation Specialist will participate in emergency on-call rotation approximately one week per month with other team members providing in-person intervention as needed 24/7.
• Family Preservation Specialist will provide family systems theory based knowledge and perspective to the team in order to support all cases where family preservation and intervention is indicated.  

Knowledge and Skills Required

• Master’s degree in social work or related field or equivalent relevant experience working with adolescent and young adults, especially in providing case management services. Professional Licensure is a plus.
• Commitment to the value of diversity with respect to gender, race, age, socio-economic level, sexual orientation, and religion.
• Knowledge of adolescent and young adult development.
  • The ability to build trust and rapport with adolescents.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving skills.
• Skill in coordinating services with other agencies and professionals.
• The ability to utilize supervision by asking for assistance, support and training, and accepting and utilizing feedback.
• Ability to manage time and set priorities to accomplish tasks and meet deadlines, including the ability to adapt to changing priorities
• Ability to work independently and also as an effective team member.

Work Environment

          This is a field position and frequent travel is required, including client transport.  Reliable transportation and comprehensive insurance are required.

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