Family Support Specialist

TITLE: Family Support Specialist

DEPARTMENT: Foster and Adoptive Department (FAD)

FUNCTION: The staff is responsible for working with and monitoring foster and adoptive families that are currently active. In addition, empowering families by providing advocacy, guidance and resources to help overcome challenges and achieve goals through home visits, assessment and referrals to community services 

LOCATION: Home-Based, Office, and Field Assignments

SUPERVISOR: FAD Support Specialist Supervisor

QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s Degree required
in a human services field from an accredited college or university. One year of experience working with individuals and families that have active cases with the Department of Family and Protective Services is preferred. The position requires the ability to be clear-headed and decisive, an approach to care/services from a strengths-based perspective, strong writing skills, attention to detail and organization, positive client interaction, and good time-management.  

SALARY: $39k – 50k monthly (based on experience)

GENERAL DUTIES:

• Knowledge of DFPS Procedures and HHSC-CCR minimum standards
• Innovative and creative approaches to service delivery
• Participate in Pre-Service and Annual training
• Work effectively with the foster and adoption team
• Maintain required annual employee training and documentation
• Possess reliable transportation and be comfortable driving throughout the Greater Houston Area.
  
• Other duties as assigned by Program manager and/or FAD Director

FSS DUTIES:

• Monitor Foster and Adoptive Home for safety and compliance

·         Record all information for home and child files in the agency’s database system on a weekly basis.

• Complete initial placement of children and youth
• Monitor children’s progress placed in the foster and adoptive home
• Coordinate STAR Health services and schedule appointments for necessary assessments like CANS 3.0.
  
• Coordinate educational services, inform caregivers about available educational services, and provide support when needed.
  
• Manage a caseload of 25 to 30 cases (a combination of homes and children)
• Schedule and conduct Treatment/Service Plan Meetings including Aftercare Service Plan in coordination with CPS and other team members.
• Complete required monthly, quarterly, and annual documentation
• Connect family to social work department for community resource connection and other supports
• Families receive personalized services based on their unique need

·         Provide aftercare case management services to include monitoring, support, and community resource referrals