Family Support Specialist
Options Counseling and Family Services
Summary
Provides variable hours of hands-on in-home demonstration, teaching and support to achieve behavioral changes in families where child safety issues are present. Families served include those in which there are safety risks in the families' homes and/or children who are at risk of out of home placement. Families will primarily be referred by ODHS self-sufficiency case managers. The Provider will assess the family's needs and co-create a family plan of action and collaborate with other ODHS providers and community agencies. Ability to travel to families' homes and communities required.
Job description
General Description
Provides variable hours of hands-on in-home demonstration, teaching and support to achieve behavioral changes in families where child safety issues are present. Families served include those in which there are safety risks in the families' homes and/or children who are at risk of out of home placement. Families will primarily be referred by ODHS self-sufficiency case managers. The Provider will assess the family's needs and co-create a family plan of action and collaborate with other ODHS providers and community agencies. 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 client families. Some overtime may be required and approved by your supervisor in response to client needs, referrals, or other factors.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
75% - Direct Service
- Provide practical in-home training and intervention in parent and family functioning
- Make multiple contacts with family and its support system in a variety of settings
- Provide face-to-face implementation of specific service plan components to each family
- Assist family in developing interventions and establishing accountability for inappropriate behaviors
- Provide instruction and assistance to parents on supervision of youth, with a focus on safety and well-being
- Identify family and individual strengths to help resolve the child safety and attachment concerns
- Connect family with informal and formal support systems, including contacting and accessing resources
- Provide and supervise appropriate in-home and/or community recreational opportunities for youth
- Teach and model appropriate play, attachment & behavior management techniques
- Work with mentally ill, emotionally ill and developmentally delayed individuals and families
- Work with disadvantaged individuals and families in provision of services
- Work effectively with angry and hostile clients
- Create a local steering committee with public and private partners; conduct regular meetings
- Identify families with drug and alcohol dependence, physically and sexually abused children, domestic violence and other child safety concerns
- Empathize with and motivate clients to enhance child safety and attachment
- Maintain client confidentiality
25% - Documentation
- Attend and participate in regular clinical supervision and team meetings, as directed
- Maintain accurate and current client records, including weekly progress notes within the electronic client record (ECR), and sign documents to meet federal and state regulatory requirements and/or agency standards
- Learn and work within specific agency operations, policies and procedures affecting assigned work
- Provide relevant and up-to-date reports of families progress and challenges
- Communicate effectively orally and in writing, respond to questions, gather and exchange information with referring agency and community resources
- Perform assigned tasks quickly and accurately from written and oral instructions
- Maintain effective working relationships with professional service staff
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
- 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 with potential for escalation to physical aggression
Requirements
- Must meet the criteria of a Qualified Mental Health Associate (QMHA)
- At least two years of experience with in-home budgeting, housekeeping, nutrition and household management, appropriate physical care of children, parenting skills and techniques, basic knowledge of child development and working with disadvantaged individuals and families in the provision of services
- Experience may be substituted for education
- Must be computer proficient in a Microsoft Windows environment
- Willing to learn to provide client services using remote video technology (e.g. Zoom)
- Must have respectful, open, accepting attitude toward clients and their families
- Must pass an ODHS background check and/or fingerprinting
- Must have a valid Oregon driver's license, reliable transportation, and auto insurance
- 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
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.