OC FSP HFW Family Specialist

Position Summary

South Coast Community Services takes pride in providing our staff with competitive compensation, opportunities for professional growth, access to diverse client populations, clinical autonomy, and a strong support system of seasoned employees. The Family Specialist builds trusting relationships with both the child/youth and their parent/caregiver(s), while providing practical guidance and strategies that address behavioral challenges and support emotional growth. In this role, the Family Specialist also helps uncover unmet needs, teaches coping skills, and bridges gaps to repair relationships and build understanding amongst family members. The Family Specialist is the family’s primary behavioral support partner, working in coordination with the youth’s therapist and the Child and Family Team to support the youth and caregiver(s) in achieving their goals.

General requirements

• Education/Experience AA or Bachelor’s degree in human services or related field and/or relevant experience working with youth in a mental health/social service setting and/or 2 years’ experience working with youth with challenging behaviors. Bilingual Spanish strongly preferred. One (1) year of experience working with target population. Licensure, Registration, Certification Valid CA driver’s license and proof of automobile insurance. Completion of CPR/First Aid/ProACT certification within the first thirty (30) days of employment. Preferred Training/Experience in one or all of the following
• Evidenced
• Based
• Practices: High Fidelity Wraparound (HFW) Intensive Case Management (ICM)

Requirements

JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: Support and ensure respect for child/youth voice, choice, and preference throughout the four phases of Wraparound; Support youth to participate effectively in the CFT process, helping them plan what they want to address and supporting them in the meeting; Identify the antecedents, behaviors, and consequences (ABC’s) of targeted non-functional behaviors to understand the function of a child/youth’s behavior(s); With the CFT, develop effective, individualized strategies to address specific unmet needs that reflect the parent and/or child/youth culture, strengths and preferences; Implement strengths-based behavior plans with individualized and creative strategies, that include supportive linkage to the community and school; Support parents and caregivers to understand the function of child/youth behaviors and to try new skills to meet the child/youth needs when implementing a plan, allowing them listen better, and to meet their child’s needs more quickly and accurately; Support the youth/child and parents to be more engaged in their family and community environments with skills to manage emotions and reactions in constructive ways; Ensure sensitivity to family culture, values and beliefs, and operate from an adoption competent, trauma-informed, strength-based perspective. Maintain proficient and accurate documentation adhering to all program and contract standards. Provide transportation to the youth for academic, social, recreational, and/or employment activities. Work in coordination with the client’s multidisciplinary team, including schools or other child-serving systems, etc. Attend all required meetings. Develop and utilize knowledge of community resources to serve children and their families. Possess knowledge of behavioral support principles and Wraparound principles and fidelity standards.

• JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES Service Delivery Meeting expectations in Service Delivery Skills encompass the ability of paraprofessional staff to identify and recommend appropriate service types that align with the needs of clients, while staying within the bounds of their training, expertise, and professional role.
• This competency requires an understanding of the range of services available within the organization and the ability to match those services to the specific needs and preferences of clients.
• Crisis Intervention and Safety Planning Meeting expectations in Crisis and Safety Planning encompasses handling crisis situations effectively, including suicidal ideation, self-harm, and acute psychiatric symptoms, by adhering to established safety protocols and accessing appropriate resources.
• Participate as needed in the implementation of safety plans in collaboration with clients, their support systems, and the treatment team.
• Productivity & Service Billing Meeting expectations in Productivity and Service Billing skills focus on the ability to hit program productivity expectations on a monthly basis.
• CORE COMPETENCIES Organizational Core Competencies reflect foundational skills desirable for professionals engaging in the practice, education, and research of social services.
• The Organizational Core Competencies are integrated into curricula for education and training; provide a reference for developing social service courses, and serve as a baseline for sets of discipline-specific competencies.
• Attendance and Reliability Meeting expectations in the Attendance and Reliability competency encompasses consistent and punctual attendance and a dependable approach to fulfilling professional responsibilities.
• This is further demonstrated by adhering to scheduled shifts, appointments, meetings, and other work-related obligations, minimizing unscheduled absences, and adjusting work schedule to accommodate program need.
• Collaboration and Teamwork Meeting expectations in the Collaboration and Teamwork competency includes working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, including psychiatrists, case managers, educators, outside agency providers and other mental health professionals, to coordinate care and provide integrated services.
• This skill is also demonstrated by communicating effectively with clients' families and caregivers, involving them in treatment planning and facilitating their understanding of mental health issues and interventions.
• Interpersonal Communication Skills Meeting expectations in Interpersonal Communication Skills focuses on establishing rapport quickly, understanding and addressing client’s needs, soliciting and using input from team members and outside agencies, communicating data and information, and facilitating communications among outside agencies are other stakeholders.

Physical requirements

Ability to drive a motor vehicle without restrictions, often in heavy traffic and frequently long distances (one hour or more) to ensure safe transport to client settings and to safely transport clients to appointments as needed. Senses of vision, hearing and smell sufficient to regularly operate a motor vehicle, to visualize threats in the environment or risks to clients, and to operate safely in the field. Required to occasionally lift and carry 10-20 pounds. Regularly required to sit, stand, climb stairs (1 or more flights) and walk while in route to and during family visits. Regularly required to sit and use computer in office settings.

EOE, INCLUDING DISABILITY/VETS We are an equal opportunity employer and consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under California law.