Community-Based Services Support Specialist

About Extra Special Parents:

At Extra Special Parents (ESP), we believe every child deserves a safe home and a nurturing adult they can trust. Since our inception in 2006, our mission has been to support Virginia's foster children and families. Our network has grown to over 150 licensed active foster and adoptive families. Together, the foster parents in our community have significantly impacted the lives of countless foster children across the Commonwealth.

About the Community-Based Services Specialist:

The Community-Based Service Specialist will provide supportive services for Extra Special Parents clients in the Community-Based Services Department. This will be achieved by providing mentorship, parent coaching, supervised visitation, and transportation in addition to other community-based needs.

This part-time position requires about 20 hours per week of commitment.

Benefits for the PT Community-Based Services Specialist:

• Hybrid Work Schedule
• Use of company vehicles or Mileage Reimbursement
• Employee Referral Program
• Employee Assistance Program

Education and Experience Requirements:

• A baccalaureate degree in social work from a college or university accredited by the Council on Social Work Education or a field related to social work such as sociology, psychology, special education, or counseling, plus one year of experience providing services to children and their families is preferred; OR
• A baccalaureate degree in any field plus two years of experience providing services to children and their families; OR
• A high school diploma or equivalent plus 5 years of experience providing services to children and their families.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop treatment plans for client needs and work with clients toward completing goals and objectives.
• Maintain documentation and administer written assessments/reports as needed.
• Attends court, school, and family partnership, team decision, intensive care coordination, FAPT, and other meetings as required.
• Mentoring:
  • Provide mentor services that are both therapeutic and enjoyable to clients.
  • Mentor one client at a time and tailor mentoring visits to meet each client's needs.
• Supervised Visitation:
  • Supervise families through visits and phone calls, as well as youth and/or parents, to ensure the quality and follow-through on completing goals and objectives.
  • Provide constant monitoring and assistance to multiple clients simultaneously, including youth with serious health, mental or physical conditions, and/or disabilities.
• Transportation:
  • Safe and timely transportation of clients to and from school and other appointments as needed.
  • Abides by the company's transportation guidelines and ensures the safety of children through the proper use of car seats and seat belts.
• Parent Coaching:
  • Stabilize families at risk of their children being removed from their care by providing individualized training and skill development for biological parents/legal guardians, as well as parenting and co-parenting skills training.
  • Provide a positive role model, help clients develop appropriate relational skills, connect clients to needed resources, and aid clients in attaining life skills specific to their service plan needs.
  • Develop and enforce behavior management strategies implemented to address any presenting issues.
  • Utilize experience and training in skills development to develop treatment plans and assist families in achieving their goals, including conflict management, child development education, trauma-informed care, domestic violence education, parenting education, and training with and without children present.
• Report concerning incidents or injuries immediately to a supervisor
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Skill Requirements:

• Ability to maintain appropriate confidentiality and comply with all HIPAA requirements.
• Ability to work under pressure; meet inflexible deadlines; set priorities; and deal with difficult individuals
• Knowledge of the Therapeutic Community model.
• Knowledge of Trauma-Informed Care.
• Ability to observe, assess, and document symptoms, reactions, and progress.
• Ability to transport clients safely to and from their destination.
• Ability to complete pre-service and annual in-service CPR, first aid certification training, and all other training required at licensing standards, company policy and procedures, and locality
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Other Requirements:

• Must be at least 21 years of age or older.
• Must possess a driver's license valid in the state where the work site is located as the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.