Family Support Worker

Job Title: Family Support Worker (FSW) Job Category: Human Services

Location: Hampton Roads Travel Required: Community-Based

Reports to: Family Support Supervisor Position Type: Full-time

DESCRIPTION: The Family Support Worker (FSW) provides an array of comprehensive services with the goal of effectively addressing the family s barriers and strengthening their preventive skills from a strength based and solution focused perspective. The FSW will collaborate with families to prevent out of home placements of children and/or assist in reunifying the family after foster care placements have occurred.

The FSW will:

Effectively collaborate with the client(s) to implement recommendations given by various stakeholders (Department of Human Services, Community Services Board, Court Services, etc.)

Attend all required meetings with client(s) and various stakeholders.

Assist with strengthening clients parenting skills by modeling and coaching.

Facilitate therapeutic supervised/monitored visitations if necessary.

Assist client(s) in adhering to goals of Family Intervention Plan (FIP).

Link client(s) to applicable community-based services.

Provide transportation if necessary and remain flexible to address crisis situations.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The FSW spends the majority of the work week in the community visiting with families. The FSW provides case coordination; goal setting; linkage to services, advocacy, education and evaluation. Community interactions will include but are not limited to the Department of Human Services, Social Security Administration, local Community Services Boards (CSBs), courts, schools, potential employers, child support enforcement and other viable stakeholders/resources. The FSW will work approximately five (5-10) hours per week/per case. Early morning, evening and weekend work is frequent.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES :

Facilitate weekly contacts with Case Service Coordinator and Parent/Guardian.

Model and teach problem-solving techniques.

Provide a variety of interventions per FIP goals.

Maintain accurate, complete, and confidential records that reflect timely assessments, service delivery, and monthly reports.

Prepare and submit reports as required, following agency s policies on methods of transmittal and timeliness.

Attend all appropriate trainings, regular meetings and scheduled individual and group supervisions.

Provide transportation when necessary.

Assist identified client(s) with developing needed skills i.e. budgeting, parenting, child development, etc.

Monitor the home environment to ensure it is void of any safety hazards.

As a mandated reporter, immediately report any suspicion of possible abuse or neglect.

SKILLS:

Able to develop a positive rapport with children/families

Able to demonstrate active listening

Able to demonstrate empathy

Able to work independently

Able to maintain a calm demeanor under pressure

Able to encourage others to build self-confidence

Able to organize

Able to delegate

Able to collaborate and advocate with stakeholders

Able to be flexible

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor s Degree in Human Services or related fields (Social Work, Human Services Counseling, Psychology, Sociology, Child Development, Special Education, Criminal Justice, etc.)

A minimum of one (1) year experience with applicable degree is required for the FSW OR in lieu of a Bachelor s Degree, the ideal candidate MUST HAVE a minimum of five (5) years of experience working with the at risk population.