Program Overview:
In partnership with Tennessee’s Department of Children’s Services (DCS), Youth Villages provides family-centered, strength-based services to youth from birth to age 18 through the Family Support Services (FSS) program. Focused on delivering case management services, non-custodial families are referred by other DCS program areas, juvenile courts, or self-referral. Staff provide on-call crisis support, identify services and resources tailored to each family’s unique needs, and utilize formal and informal assessments for case planning. Goals include increasing stability, strengthening relationships, building self-sufficiency, and enhancing well-being and permanency.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- The Family Support Specialist:
- Carries a caseload of approximately 20 cases
- Conducts home and site visits at least 2 times per month to assess and address safety concerns
- Learns DCS policies that guide care and services for youth and families
- Provides case management and care coordination services to youth and families
- Facilitates the forward progress of the youth’s treatment and ensures the youth is in the least restrictive setting that is safely possible
- Ensures intensity of services to maintain children stay with caregivers with the goal of avoiding an out-of-home placement
- Gathers pertinent assessment information using clinical skills, critical thinking, and problem solving to assess areas of risk and applies appropriate intervention or services to each situation
- Attends various meetings as an advocate for the youth and family (including but not limited to: team meetings, court hearings, and school meetings)
- Ensures all medical, dental, and educational needs are met and accurately documented
- Provides on-call crisis support to the youth and family (schedules vary by location)
- Attends 3 weekly meetings (individual, team, and clinical consultation) for professional development to help enhance clinical skills
- Completes accurate and timely documentation in an electronic medical record system (EMR)
- Performs other duties as assigned
- Additional Information:
- Schedule is flexible and non-traditional as it is based around the availability of youth and families served.
- Applicants must possess a current, valid driver’s license, an automobile for work purposes, and proof of auto insurance.
- Community-based staff will be reimbursed for applicable mileage.
- Salary:
- $52,000 – $60,000 per year based on education and clinical license