Family Intervention Specialist

The Family Intervention Specialist works closely with families whose children are at imminent risk of being removed from the home because of abuse, neglect, child behavior issues, or is returning home after placement in the foster care system. The Family Intervention Specialist provides targeted specific intervention to prevent the removal or to facilitate reunification. The Family Intervention Specialist has, at any time, no less than four (4) families and no more than six (6) families. The Family Intervention Specialist must be available to their families on a 24-hour a day, 7-day a week basis, and travel extensively over a multi-county delivery area.

• Initiates face-to-face contact with assigned family within 24 hours (immediately if an emergency) to assess client needs.
• In a collaborative manner with Family First Network/Department of Children and Families (FFN/DCF), coordinates and schedules treatment plans as follows: initial within 10 days of admission; comprehensive treatment plan within 30 days of admission, and treatment plan reviews every 90 days.
• Conduct at least two in-home, face-to-face contacts per week with the family to examine family relationships, roles and dynamics, and to assess how these issues impact family functioning. Utilizes information gathered during home visits and other contacts to adjust and refine treatment plans to meet clients’ specific needs.
• Utilize Home Builders Training Methodology for service delivery.
• Provides face-to-face or telephone contact with schools, therapists or other providers at least once a month to monitor the child and family’s progress.
• Provides support for children and families by accompanying them to appointments as appropriate, including the coordination of transportation, family visits and activities.
• Assists the family with locating and appropriately utilizing community resources, services and activities (e.g., housing, food, clothes, shelter, transportation, etc.).
• Supervises family visitations, providing education and intervention as needed.
• Provides parenting support.
• Attends case planning conferences and other meetings as requested by FFN/DCF, IEPs, court hearings and other appointments along with the children and family members to assure coordination of services. In a collaborative manner, as needed, assists families in securing appointments.
• Enters all home visit notes in FSFN (Florida-State Data Base) within 48 hours of the home visit. If there is an issue with FSFN or a special conditions case preventing access to the record in the system, home visit notes must be emailed to the FFN worker within 48 hours.
• Provides progress/summary reports to the referring FFN/DCF worker on a monthly basis and prior to any Family Court hearing.
• Works collaboratively with FFN/DCF caseworker to create behavior management plans or Safety Plans for the child(ren) and families.
• In a collaborative manner with Program Supervisor, provides crisis intervention services 24 hours/7 days a week. When on call is cooperative in providing needed services to families.
• Maintains neat and accurate case records, as well as all required documentation for intake, discharge, summaries, evaluations, etc. Ensures that all paperwork is completed and submitted in a timely manner.

• Bachelor’s Degree in the field of social work, psychology, human and child development, counseling or sociology or related field from an accredited college or university.
• A minimum of 1 year of previous paid experience working with children, families and/or youth.
• Ability to travel extensively and be on-call for emergency situations as required.
• Using the English language must have excellent verbal and written communication skills, and interpersonal skills that allow for professional interaction with families, staff, stakeholders and the general public.
• Must have computer skills to type case narratives, required reports, and the ability to use the internet for file transfers.
• Ability to maintain absolute confidentiality as situations dictate.
• Must have a valid driver’s license from state of residence.
• Must have reliable transportation, proof of automobile liability insurance, and driving record that will allow coverage on Agency’s insurance policy.
• Must receive a satisfactory background check that includes a check of employment and personal references, criminal history, driving background, Florida Abuse Registry Check, Affidavit of Good Moral Character, Sex Offender Check and pass a pre-employment physical examination including a TB skin test and drug screen.

• Vision: Must be able to drive, read reports, observe conditions related to work, view computer screen, etc.
• Cognitive: Must be able to think independently, logically, and problem solve.
• Hearing: Must be able to hear well enough to communicate with co-workers, employees, families and the general public.
• Standing/Walking/Mobility: Must be able to stand to open files and operate office machines, mobility to drive, get in and out of private homes as well as work area, some standing for prolonged periods for presentation. Normal coordination including eye-hand and hand-foot.
• Climbing/Stooping, Kneeling: Must be able to stoop and kneel as needed to file, retrieve documents, assist families and perform CPR and First Aid, etc.
• Lifting/Pulling/Pushing: Must be able to lift and carry up case files, lap top computer which may weigh up to 20 pounds.
• Manual Dexterity: Must be able to write, type, use telephone system, file, drive, etc.