Family Support Specialist
Options Counseling and Family Services
Summary
Provides services to families referred through ODHS/Self Sufficiency to enhance family stability and support workforce readiness. Provides a comprehensive screening to determine immediate needs. Provides skills training to children, adolescents and adults to address immediate needs. Develops and implements effective service plan. Collaborates with community partners and connects families to relevant resources to support progress. Ability to travel to families homes and communities required.
Job description
General Description
Provides services to families referred through ODHS/Self Sufficiency to enhance family stability and support workforce readiness. Provides a comprehensive screening to determine immediate needs. Provides skills training to children, adolescents and adults to address immediate needs. Develops and implements effective service plan. Collaborates with community partners and connects families to relevant resources to support progress. Ability to travel to families homes and communities required.
Schedule/Hours
This position is anticipated to be full-time (40 hours/week). However, some weeks may have fewer scheduled hours. The actual hours worked may vary daily depending on the needs of the referring agency or individual clients. Some overtime may be required and approved by your supervisor in response to client needs, referrals, or other factors. The schedule will be flexible to meet youths needs and be available some evenings and weekends.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
50% - Direct Service
- Provide in-home change services to children, adolescents and families
- Assess for parental capacities as related to child safety and well-being
- Help family members overcome barriers and identify strengths
- Utilize Motivational Interviewing, Wraparound, Collaborative Problem Solving, and other evidence-based practices
- Help parents improve diminished protective capacities
- Provide a range of services including parent education, communication skills, home management, budgeting, stress reduction, stabilization of home environment, and other appropriate services
- Refer client to supportive services to supplement treatment and counseling as appropriate
- Conduct parent-child coaching and interaction sessions
- Create and maintain positive, collaborative relationships with supportive partners in the community
- Provide intervention that is family-focused, culturally relevant, behavior and goal-directed
- Work a flexible schedule to meet families needs and be available for crisis consultation
35% - Case Coordination
- Coordinate case activities with Contract Supervisor, ODHS/Self-Sufficiency, schools and other community partners
- Participate in branch meetings, as needed
- Maintain and carry out all scheduled appointments
- Attend and actively participate in weekly group supervision meetings with supervisor and peers
15% - Documentation
- Report any potentially dangerous situations or safety plan violations to ODHS or law enforcement, including making required mandatory reports
- Document all travel time, mileage, and other required work-related activities
- Maintain accurate and complete client records, including weekly progress reports, treatment plans, service summaries, and memos to chart, within the electronic client record (ECR), to meet contract requirements
- Develop a written record of appropriately used direct support funds for client family
Working Conditions
- May be required to work afternoon, evening, and/or weekend hours
- Will travel locally and transport clients with own vehicle. Must be insured with liability insurance
- Extended periods of time sitting at workstation updating client records, phone work, and client sessions
- Provide services in challenging environments; families may be impacted by poverty
- Ability to stand, work, and drive throughout the day
- Mobility and dexterity sufficient to assist clients and handle required job-related functions and move about the facility
- Ability to cope with clients who may use challenging or offensive language
Requirements
- Two years experience working with at-risk families within the last five years or an equivalent combination of education, training, and work experience
- Effective working with families in which children have experienced abuse or neglect has occurred
- Must be familiar with community resources and crisis services and how to access them
- Must have respectful, open, unbiased, accepting attitude toward clients and their families
- Relate effectively with children, adolescents, parents, staff and the community
- Pass a ODHS background check and/or fingerprinting
- Maintain client confidentiality
- Must have a valid Oregon drivers license, reliable transportation, and auto insurance
- Bilingual in English/Spanish (preferred)
- Bachelors Degree of Science in social work, psychology, or counseling (preferred)
- Knowledge of dynamics of high-risk families including sexual abuse, substance use, and domestic violence (preferred)
- Knowledge and experience of ODHS/Self Sufficiency guidelines and expectations, as well as mental health and/or alcohol and drug issues preferred
- Experience working in a clinical setting, mental health or medical (preferred)
Benefits
- Company-paid health insurance
- Vision insurance
- Dental insurance
- Long-term disability insurance
- Life insurance
Company overview
Options Counseling and Family Services is a comprehensive mental health care organization dedicated to providing accessible and compassionate behavioral health services to individuals, families, and communities. As a specialized healthcare provider in the mental health sector, the organization offers a wide range of therapeutic interventions including individual counseling, family therapy, couples counseling, and group therapy sessions. Their services typically address various mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, and life transitions. The organization employs licensed mental health professionals including psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, marriage and family therapists, and professional counselors who utilize evidence-based treatment approaches. Options Counseling and Family Services focuses on creating personalized treatment plans that respect each client's unique circumstances and cultural background. They often provide services through multiple modalities including in-person sessions, telehealth options, and community outreach programs. The organization plays a crucial role in addressing mental health needs within their service area by offering sliding scale fees, accepting various insurance plans, and maintaining strong community partnerships to ensure mental health services remain accessible to diverse populations regardless of socioeconomic status.