Family Intervention Specialist

Family Intervention Specialist-AL

FSLA-Non-Exempt

Reports to Program Manager

Andalusia, AL

Position Summary:

The Family Intervention Specialist works closely with families whose children are at imminent risk of being removed from the home because of abuse, neglect, child behavior issues, or returning home after placement in the foster care system. The Family Intervention Specialist provides targeted specific intervention to prevent the removal or to facilitate reunification. The Family Intervention Specialist has at any time, no less than four (4) families and no more than six (6) families. The Family Intervention Specialist must be available to their families on a 24-hour a day, 7-day a week basis, and travel extensively over a multi-county delivery area.*Position will require travel to Coffee, Covington, Geneva, Dale, Butler, Crenshaw, Pike, Lowndes, Bullock and Montgomery Counties.

Responsibilities:

• Initiates face to face contact with assigned families within appropriate time frame.
• Leads treatment team meeting and develops a treatment plan for each family within the required time frame.
• Conducts a minimum of 2 hours in-home, face to face contact per week with each family to assess family functioning, provide service intervention, and gather information. Adjusts treatment plan as needed to meet the client's specific needs.
• Utilizes historic Home Builders Training methodology for service delivery.
• Provides face to face telephone contact with schools, therapists, and other providers to monitor child and family progress.
• Provide support for children and families by accompanying them to appointments; coordinating transportation for family visits/activities.
• Assists the family with locating and utilizing community resources, services, and activities.
• Supervises family visitations, provides education, parenting support, and intervention as needed.
• Attends ISPs, IEPs, court hearings, and other appointments along with family members to assure coordination of services.
• Provides weekly consultation to DHR and immediate responses when health or safety issues pose a threat to children.
• Provides progress reports to the referring DHR worker on a monthly basis and prior to any Family Court Hearing.
• Works with DHR and family to develop appropriate Safety Plans.
• Provides crisis intervention 24 hours/7 days a week when on call.
• Completes, submits, and files all required documentation timely and accurately.
• Maintain confidentiality and abides by all HIPPA rules and regulations.
• Completes annually required training.
• Functions in accordance with the appropriate Job Guide and other duties assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in the field of social work, psychology, human and child development, counseling or sociology or related field from an accredited college or university.
• A minimum of one (1) year of previous paid experience working with children, families and/or youth.
• Ability to travel extensively and be on-call for emergency situations as required.
• Using the English language must have excellent verbal and written communication skills, and interpersonal skills that allow for professional interaction with families, staff, stakeholders and the general public.
• Must have computer skills to type case narratives, required reports, and the ability to use the internet for file transfers.
• Must have a valid driver’s license from state of residence.
• Must have reliable transportation, proof of automobile liability insurance, and driving record that will allow coverage on Agency’s insurance policy.
• Must receive a satisfactory background check that includes a check of employment and personal references, criminal history, driving background, Child Abuse & Neglect (Alabama) Registry, and pass a pre-employment physical examination including a TB skin test and drug screen.

Physical Requirements:

• Vision: Must be able to drive, read reports, observe conditions related to work, view computer screen, etc.
• Cognitive: Must be able to think independently, logically, and problem solve.
• Hearing: Must be able to hear well enough to communicate with co-workers, employees, families and the general public.
• Standing/Walking/Mobility: Must be able to stand to open files and operate office machines, mobility to drive, get in and out of private homes as well as work area, some standing for prolonged periods for presentation. Normal coordination including eye-hand and hand-foot.
• Climbing/Stooping, Kneeling: Must be able to stoop and kneel as needed to file, retrieve documents, assist families and perform CPR and First Aid, etc.
• Lifting/Pulling/Pushing: Must be able to lift and carry up case files, lap top computer which may weigh up to 20 pounds.
• Manual Dexterity: Must be able to write, type, use telephone system, file, drive, etc.

As followers of Christ, our passion for serving is motivated by compassion and a calling to provide homes, healing, and hope. We strive to be there for individuals who need someone to care for them when those closest to them can’t adequately provide that care. Those we serve experience hardships no one should have to face, including neglect, abuse, and abandonment. We nurture these vulnerable individuals by embracing them, meeting them where they are, and loving them unconditionally. We’re not only providing them with homes, we’re giving them a system of support and care to help them flourish. While faith is the core of our mission, we are driven by a desire to nurture, support, and prepare individuals for productive, thriving futures. We believe we can break what often becomes a cycle of neglect and circumstance for many vulnerable children and families. Our caring and compassionate team works to change the trajectory of the lives of those we serve in our homes and our programs are centered around family preservation, foster care, and school readiness.