Family Specialist

POSITION SUMMARY:

South Coast Community Services takes pride in providing our staff with competitive compensation, opportunities for professional growth, access to diverse client populations, clinical autonomy, and a strong support system of seasoned employees. The Family Specialist develops a strength-based relationship with children while providing support, case management, and behavioral coaching. The Family Specialist ensures the family’s voice and choice is respected and implemented throughout the course of treatment. This position intervenes with maladaptive behaviors and strives to meet the child’s needs and preserve the family unit. This position works both independently and with other multidisciplinary team members.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

The Success First program serves children & youth ages 0-21 who are at risk of loss of placement (e.g. children involved with the foster care or juvenile justice systems, those experiencing psychiatric hospitalizations, suspensions/expulsions, and eating disorders). Children are typically referred from hospitals, schools, CFS, probation, or Department of Behavioral Health. Services are provided in clients’ homes, schools, or local communities. Children typically remain in the program for 3-6 months with the goal of reducing disruptions to their placements by improving their ability to successfully manage their mental health needs.

JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist the child in the home, school, and community by providing a variety of supportive and case management services, including mentoring, coaching, behavioral support, etc.
• Recognize and reinforce positive behaviors, activities, and skills exhibited by the youth.
• Ensure sensitivity to family culture, values and beliefs, and operate from a family- centered, strength-based perspective.
• Supporting youth in learning and applying the essential skills to interact harmoniously with both adults and peers in various environments.
• Provide transportation to the youth for academic, social, recreational, and/or employment activities.
• Maintain proficient and accurate documentation adhering to all program, contract, and payer standards.
• Work in coordination with the client’s multidisciplinary team, including county representatives, schools, outside agencies, etc. in the development and execution of the treatment plan.
• Develop knowledge of community resources to serve children and their families.
• Serve on committees, lead trainings, and represent the program at community functions as needed.
• Perform other related duties as required and assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Must be proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel and Microsoft Outlook.
• Demonstrate knowledge of crisis management skills and can perform such skills as necessary.
• Ability to remain organized and manage multiple tasks at once.
• Able to establish and maintain appropriate rapport with children, youth, and families.
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
• Knowledge of behavioral modification techniques and the child welfare system.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:Education/Experience

1. AA or Bachelor’s degree in human services or related field and/or relevant experience working with youth in a mental health/social service setting and/or 2 years’ experience working with youth with challenging behaviors.
2. Bilingual Spanish strongly preferred.

Licensure, Registration, Certification

1. Valid CA driver’s license and proof of automobile insurance.
2. Completion of CPR/First Aid certification within the first thirty (30) days of employment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to drive a motor vehicle without restrictions, often in heavy traffic and frequently long distances (one hour or more) to ensure safe transport to client settings and to safely transport clients to appointments as needed.
• Senses of vision, hearing and smell sufficient to regularly operate a motor vehicle, to visualize threats in the environment or risks to clients, and to operate safely in the field.
• Required to occasionally lift and carry 10-20 pounds.
• Regularly required to sit, stand, climb stairs (1 or more flights) and walk while in route to and during family visits.
• Regularly required to sit and use computer in office settings.

Management reserves the right to add, change, delete or rescind duties or responsibilities of positions within the job classification at any time.