Job Summary:
The Family Support Specialist is responsible for day-to-day case management activities with families referred to MCRC by the Office of Children and Youth, including coordination of services, communication among involved professionals and agencies, and administration of family/parent evaluations. This position works within our Family Support Childcare Program serving children birth to 12 years of age.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Direct service:
- Provide direct services to families referred to the MCRC program, with most service provided in person by the case manager, including casework, guidance, and support for referred families
- Assist with transportation to and from MCRC
- Perform intake including a tour of MCRC
- Coordinate families’ participation with community resources, including assistance in navigating through appropriate resources, and making and keeping appointments with other service providers
- Engage families referred to the program to assess child safety and make service plans that best meet the needs of the children; meet regularly with families to ensure follow through on these plans
- Separate dangerous caregivers from children in need of protection immediately, and follow all appropriate procedures; subsequently testify in court as required
- Assure the ongoing safety of the children through frequent, focused contact with children and their families - including monthly (in person) house visits
- Assist the family with applying for alternative funding sources, if needed
- Monitor families’ needs and progress in meeting program goals
- Participate in team meetings which may include family, educators, childcare providers, mental health providers, and other agencies and professionals
- Apprise Office of Children and Youth (“OCY”) personnel of any changes in the family’s situation, particularly those potentially impacting the safety of the children
- Administer family/parent evaluations as defined by the county
Indirect Service:
- Communicate with all agencies and services involved with the family, including Early Connections, and coordinate communication among providers as needed
- Maintain service activity logs accurately and in the format determined by the county
- Prepare and maintain confidential client records and reports
- Document plans, recommendations, and communications that take place regarding referred families
- Organize and extract data from all activities with the referred families and provide this data to the clerical staff; work with clerical staff to complete all reports and analyses in a timely manner
REQUIRED: Bachelor’s Degree from accredited college or university in Human Services or related field
REQUIRED: Understanding of caseworker responsibilities as specified in this description, knowledge of available community resources, familiarity with laws pertaining to child abuse and neglect, understanding of role as a mandated reporter and must be committed to children’s safety and to working with families facing a variety of risk factors
The following background checks are REQUIRED:
- Department of Human Services Child Abuse History Clearance
- Pennsylvania State Police Request for Criminal Records Check
- Federal Criminal History Record Information (CHRI)
- National Sex Offender Registry Verification (NSOR)
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $21.50 - $22.15 per hour
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
