The overarching responsibility of this position is to participate in the implementation of the mission of the Vogel.  The Clinical Family Support Specialist position functions as a member of the Family Support team and works in collaboration with childcare and other agency programs serving homeless children and families receiving services at Vogel.  Professionals are expected to perform their duties with the highest degree of professionalism and in compliance with both the Social Work Code of Ethics and with all policies of Vogel.

National research on family homelessness indicates that life-altering levels of trauma affect the overwhelming majority of homeless families.   For this reason, all services provided by the Clinical Family Support Specialist must be informed by an in-depth clinical understanding of how trauma affects both child and adult neuro-cognitive development and behavior.   Whether providing therapy (individual, family, or group) or engaging in case management tasks, all client interactions must proceed from the clinical understanding of trauma and its sequelae.  For this reason, individuals must possess the Master’s level Social Work educational background and degree and are supervised by the Director of the Family Support Department, who is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Board-Approved Supervisor.

EDUCATION/LICENSURE/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Minimum requirements are Master’s Degree in Social work, with licensure or license-eligibility at the LMSW level.  Two years supervised work experience in direct services in the area of mental health, maternal/child health, child welfare, or other related field is preferred, as is familiarity with the dynamics of childhood trauma and resultant behavioral disturbance and social/emotional development of both early childhood and adult development.  Other necessary skills include:

• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to empathize, understand and engage with target population.
• Strong computer and organizational skills.
• Reliable, punctual, resourceful, self-initiating, and able to follow through on tasks.
• Ability to work in a culturally competent way with diverse populations.
• Ability to work with autonomy and accountability.
• Ability to utilize supervision and management appropriately.
• Ability to manage a complex case load.
• Prefer individual pursuing advanced clinical licensure.

GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Mental Health/Social-Emotional Developmental Services
  • Assess child and family needs, including administration of the social/emotional screening tool (DECA, or other instrument) or other tool, at entry and at prescribed intervals to assess both the child’s functioning and quality of the parent/child relationship.
• Provide to classroom teachers and to parents the results from the social/emotional screening, as well as strategies to address needs identified.
• Monitor progress in social/emotional development via repeat administrations of the DECA and family work as indicated.
• Provide supportive counseling and crisis intervention as needed.
• Where appropriate, and under supervision of a board approved LCSW supervisor, provide therapy services to clients of Vogel. This may include individual therapy with parents or children, family therapy, or other clinical interventions. In this role, the Clinical Family Support Specialist provides clinical assessment and diagnosis, plans treatment, and implements individualized treatment plans to address mental, emotional, and/or behavioral disorders or conditions.  The following additional tasks are required:
  • Complete clinical documentation in timely fashion.
  • Maintain client confidentiality pursuant to all relevant regulations such as those promulgated by HIPAA.
  • Refer to additional mental health professionals as appropriate (psychiatry, psychological testing, higher levels of care, etc.

 Manage an assigned caseload of families. Responsibilities include the following:

• • Orient family to services and requirements of Family Support Department
  • Assess child and family needs, including administration of the social/emotional screening tool (DECA) or other tool, at entry and at prescribed intervals.
  • Collaborate with family to devise plan and set goals to address needs in attaining developmental, educational, and emotional stability for children, as well as self-sufficiency for parents.
  • Coordinate services, make needed referrals, and engage in advocacy as needed to accomplish goals.
  • Where appropriate, provide direct services such as parent training, to families.
  • Monitor progress toward goals by meeting with families no less than monthly and more frequently as determined by family and/or acuity.
  • Document all family interactions in the agency data base, currently Child Outcome Planning and Assessment (COPA), within 24 hours of occurrence.
  • Obtain necessary consents in order to perform case coordination, referral, etc.
  • Manage distribution of agency resources such as diapers, clothing, and bus passes.

 Manage Attendance

• • Review attendance policy with parents at entry.
  • Contact parents when children are not in attendance.
  • Review chronic absence concerns with Director of Family Support.
  • Prepare monthly report on clients whose attendance falls below 70%.

 Intra-Agency and Inter-Agency Collaborations

• • Maintain close collaborative relationships with classroom teachers, through both formal and informal means, to understand the child’s performance in the classroom and to communicate appropriate family information to teaching staff.
  • Collaborate effectively with community partners such as Care Options for Kids, affiliate housing agencies, MDHA, Head Start, Early Head Start, etc.

 Administrative & General Responsibilities

• Prepare and submit monthly reports to Director of Family Support
• Timely attendance, Monday through Friday, 8 hours/day between the hours of 7:00 AM and 6:00 PM
• Other duties, responsibilities and activities appropriate to maintain quality services, fiscal accountability and overall operations of the organization.

We offer competitive compensation packages commensurate with experience.

To apply for this position, please submit your resume along with a cover letter detailing your relevant experience and why you are interested in joining our organization to hr@vogelalcove.org.