Family Care Specialist

Supervisor: Families Together Program Case Manager

Position Function:

Assist with the implementation of a program which will encourage families & children to develop to their maximum potential. Oversee the day to day functions of the families to ensure safety, goal attainment, guidance, and assistance with the achievement of plan of service goals. The job requires sensitivity to the service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.

Education Requirements:

High school education or GED required; college degree is preferred, with a major in social services.

Experience Requirements:

One year direct experience in a residential setting or equivalent relevant experience required. Three years of experience in a residential setting or equivalent relevant experience preferred.

Functional Requirements:

Must demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills, ability to relate to adults, children, adolescents, and be a good role model for the families and children. Ability to tolerate a moderate amount of physical activity, such as walking, standing, and lifting, as would be found in an environment where up to 10 families and multiple children live together. Must be able to work with difficult behavior. Must be able to solve basic bookkeeping math problems and make fiscally sound purchasing decisions. Requires good hearing and vision, to assess situations quickly and respond appropriately. Must possess a valid Texas driver’s license and be able to operate a multi-passenger vehicle. Must have a driving record, which is within the guidelines of the insurance underwriter. Must not have been charged with or convicted of a felony or criminal offense against a person. This is an evening shift Monday through Wednesday 3-11; Saturday and Sunday 3-11. Off Days; Thursday and Friday.

Working Conditions:

Exposure to the hazards of a home environment, related to household activities, cleaning agents, and food preparation. Exposure to illness and blood exists. Environment will also consist of external settings, such as department and grocery stores, with associated dangers, as well as heat and cold exposures. Exposure to residents who may have high behavioral needs which could lead to physical and verbal aggression towards others. There will be exposure to confidential information which will require the ability to maintain confidentiality & follow policies related to client records.

Key Expectations/Responsibilities:

Skills and Abilities

· The ability to establish a respectful relationship with persons served to help them gain skills and confidence.

· The ability to work collaboratively with other personnel and/or service providers and professional.

· The capacity to maintain a helping role and to intervene appropriately to meet service goals.

· The ability to set appropriate limits.

Management:

· Participate in in-service training, staff, and supervision meetings.

· Manage fiscal matters of home unit within home unit budget.

Planning:

· Participate in family treatment planning.

· Assist families prepare weekly appropriate dietary menu in written form one week in advance.

· Participate with families and supervisor in planning activities for summer, Christmas, and Spring Break.

Evaluation:

· Participate in evaluation of program procedures and activities.

· Assist in the evaluation of program components as required by supervisor.

· Assist in evaluation of expenditures and documentation of fiscal matter of home units as required by supervisor.

Implementation:

· Implement all aspects of the ACH Child and Family Services Families Together program within the policy and procedures of the ACH Child and Family Services.

· Assist in providing balanced meals, a set schedule, and conflict resolution within the program.

· Maintain a clean and safe environment for all families in care.

· Facilitate a setting conducive to achieve the maximum benefit from therapeutic or educational services.

· Conduct family meetings to address various needs and planning situations that may arise.

· Document client activities, needs, interactions, incidents and progress accurately, within established timelines.

· Maintain regular contact with family, teachers, and support staff and will address or communicate needs or issues to the case manager.

· Maintain a supply of food, personal care, school, and other designated items within the unit.

· Maintain the vehicle used by the program, by cleaning, fueling, and notifying maintenance of any concerns.

· Develop a working knowledge of families’ goals and themes and interact with family according to their goals and themes.

· Develop a working knowledge of Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) and will exhibit use of skills and language. Family Care Specialist will also assist families in obtaining self-regulation and coping skills.

· Notify supervisor of any serious incidents on the unit and document serious incidents on an incident report.

· The Family Care Specialist will document each financial transaction and will guide clients on financial decisions.

· Facilitate appointments for clients for therapy, medical, dental, etc., according to their service plan. If an appointment must be missed, adequate notice should be given to the therapist of doctor. (The case manager should be notified of change). The Family Care Specialist will motivate families to maintain these schedules.

· The Family Care Specialist will attend and participate in program meetings.

· Perform any other duties as directed by the Families Together Program Case Manager, Transitions Program Manager or Director of Residential Services – Wichita Campus.

The above noted job description is not intended to describe, in detail, the multitude of tasks that may be assigned but rather to give the employee a general sense of the responsibilities and expectations of his/her position. As the nature of business demands change so, too, may the essential functions of this position

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Employee’s Signature Date

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H.R. Signature Date

Date Received by HR: 8/2016

Dates Reviewed/Updated: 8/2016; 1/2017

Position Description: Family Care Specialist Page 1 of 3