The Family Engagement Liaison (FEL) (up to 30 hours a week) leads and expedites services, supports and tools to promote permanency and enhance overall well-being. Family Group Conferencing is one of the tools utilized by the FEL. Other tools used may include family finding and engagement, facilitating several types of family gatherings/meetings, (i.e., multi-disciplinary meetings, ILTPs, Child and Family Team meetings) and other meetings that meet the needs of the family.
A Youth Support Partner (YSPs) (5-10 hours a week) is responsible for actively engaging individuals, children and youth in safe, fun activities either in their home or in a community setting.
Specific job functions include (but are not limited to):
Family Engagement Liaison
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Develops positive relationships with youth and families, assisting with locating family resources.
- Advocates family voice, choice and decision making as services are implemented supporting the youth and family.
- Advocates that the family be at the forefront of all decision-making regarding case planning.
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Engages relatives and those the youth identify as important to them. The engagement includes an assessment of the family’s culture, identification, and language.
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Maintains written case records to include Family Group Conference Family Plans and maintains on-going communication with identified family resources. Follows all Family Group Decision Making procedures and ensures that the program remains consistent with values, beliefs, and philosophy of the model.
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Provides support group opportunities to families involved with ADCS.
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Works with Casey Social Workers to refer parents and kinship caregivers involved with Arizona Department of Child Safety to FIC parent peer support programs.
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Works with FIC’s fathers’ program to make referrals to program, which provides training and coaching to parents and kin caregivers.
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Attends Birth Family Support meetings as scheduled with Casey staff to share feedback on service delivery to families. Provides updates to Casey staff and FIC on progress with families.
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Works with service providers to ensure youth and families are connected to support services in the community.
Youth Support Partner
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Facilitate a child/youth/young adult-friendly, trauma-informed environment and a healthy,collaborative relationship with parents, and colleagues.
- Use strengths-based communication with staff, youth and families. Know the names, interests, and goals of each - individual.
- Assist with planning, preparation, and delivery of life skills programming.
- Supervise members during program hours to ensure they are engaged, interacting appropriately, and that their social/emotional needs are met. Intervene as needed to ensure members and staff are safe.
- Follow proper security procedures of receiving/releasing members to their designated parties.
- Chaperone field trips and events.
- Customize respite and life-skills programming to the needs of each individual household. Actively listen to the wants and needs of the parent/caregiver and consider what interests and motivates the member. Use verbal de-escalation efforts when necessary.
- Provide crisis intervention when needed.
- Communicate regularly with the Supervisor regarding challenges and successes with members. Provide feedback regarding each members’ progress towards their established goals. In collaboration with Parent Peer Support.
- Assist in the ongoing development and evaluation of the support plan.
- Properly communicate member’s needs to parents and staff as required.
Job Expectations:
Family Engagement Liaison
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Respects and sets appropriate boundaries with families, community members, professionals, and co-workers.
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Represents FIC mission and values with all stakeholders.
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Understands and adheres to all internal policies and procedures, training expectations, and funding guidelines.
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Performs services with dignity, respect, and professional demeanor.
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Works independently with minimal supervision.
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Plans and organizes professional schedule to meet established deadlines.
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Completes all required paperwork and documentation by established due dates to Casey and FIC.
Youth Support Partner
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Record attendance and activities when providing services. Accurately complete all necessary paperwork including notes, sign in/out sheets, waivers, evaluation data, internal reports, etc. as scheduled.
- Meet productivity, quality and supervision standards as determined by clinical leadership.
- Complete internal/external incident reports according to protocol.
- Read, understand and abide by Family Involvement policies and procedures, Employee Handbook and training expectations, including adhering to confidentiality expectations.
- Set professional development goals and work collaboratively with the Supervisor to achieve those goals.
- Attend staff meetings and clinical oversight meetings as required.
- Participate in training programs and complete as required.
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Ability to work well as a member of a collaborative team.
- Passion for working with and helping individuals and their parents/primary support.
- Ability to facilitate learning through play and highly engaging activities.
- Knowledge and implementation of trauma-informed practices.
- Knowledge of site licensing and/or accreditation preferred (if applicable), but not required.
- Demonstrated ability to interact with people from diverse cultural, economic and ethnic backgrounds.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate verbally and in writing with factual, strength–based language.
- Ability to respect and set appropriate boundaries with individuals, parents/caregivers, professionals and co-workers.
- Ability to perform services with dignity, respect and professional demeanor.
- Demonstrated ability to self-regulate emotions and behaviors to provide consistency in the workplace.
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Must be flexible and willing to take on multiple job roles and tasks as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
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Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field from an accredited institution and a minimum of 2-3 years working in child welfare or other child and family service-related practice is required.
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Facilitation skills in/or a willingness to learn a variety of meeting types to support youth and family needs is essential.
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Expertise in the areas of permanency, improved well-being outcomes for youth in care, and family.
- Knowledge of community resources for families and youth.
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Ability to contribute effectively with and across teams and with external partners necessary.
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Ability to protect the confidentiality of sensitive information using HIPPA regulations and sound judgment in the handling and sharing of information.
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Must be able to obtain a Level one fingerprint clearance through the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
- Must have a valid driver’s license, clean driving record, reliable transportation and proof of registration and insurance as required by the Law in Arizona.
- Must qualify as a Behavioral Health Paraprofessional (BHPP) or Behavior Heath Technician (BHT) / behavioral health professional, according to OBHL regulations and internal policy
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Demonstrated excellent written and verbal communication skills.
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Basic computer knowledge and experience with MS Office (Word, Excel, and Outlook) is necessary. An appreciation of the importance of retrieving and analyzing data is essential.
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Physical requirements include the ability to lift and reach for light objects; close visual acuity to prepare and analyze data, text, and figures; ability to type utilizing a computer keyboard; ability to travel to outside locations; and the ability to work at a computer for extended periods as a primary job function. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
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Local travel is required for home visits, meetings with families, and other required meetings. Must have your own vehicle.
- Bilingual skills in English and Spanish required.
