Job Overview
Overview:
The Family Services Worker (FSW) provides case management and direct services to foster care or adoptive children, parents, and their families, including but not limited to individual counseling, prevention, administration, advocacy on behalf of the child, parents, and/or families with social services, the court, police, school, and other medical and mental health providers and professionals in accordance to Agency and licensing standards and federal, state, and local regulatory requirements. Upbring is classified as an essential business by the state because the services we provide are critical to the wellbeing of thousands of children and families. Our Upbring staff members are servant-leaders on the pursuit of breaking the cycle of child abuse and empowering others to do the same through example while embodying our core values: We are Warriors. We are Servants. We are Family.
Responsibilities:
We Are Warriors | We Set the Standards for Child Welfare
Work Standards
Work Standards
- Conduct regular home visits and on-going assessments to ensure foster care children and homes remain viable for placement and meet the specific needs of foster care children and families
- Develop a case plan to establish goals using appropriate and necessary resources to maintain placement, minimize risk and provide for the safety of the children
- Follow a formal process for case reviews and informal transfer between agencies and referral sources that appropriately meet the needs of the child, parent, and/or family
- Other duties and special projects as assigned
Communication
- Obtain needed information and complete regular reports regarding foster care children progress
- Accurately document all relevant and appropriate information related to the child, parents, and/or families in accordance with Agency standards, state licensing requirements, and other federal, state, and local regulatory requirements
We Are Servants| We Help Others
Teamwork
- Assist with child placement and post-placement services, which may include identifying and contacting the appropriate foster parent and coordinating arrangements between the placement agency and the foster home
- Report any serious or significant incidents to the Team Lead or Area Director immediately
- Provide emergency and on-call services when needed
We Are Family | We Are Passionate & Compassionate
Building Relationships
- Provide supportive services and/or other resources for foster care children with emotional, social, behavioral, or mental health needs
- Assess the safety of the child; take the necessary steps (actions) to protect the child if deemed appropriate in accordance with Agency standards and federal, state, and local laws and regulations
- Provide stabilization services (crisis intervention) for foster children, parents, and their families in a timely manner
- Determine action to be taken to remove or to reduce an immediate threat to the safety of the child; arrange for temporary placement in another foster care or group home or treatment facility
- Work closely with management, staff, service providers and professionals, and various local community systems and resources to ensure foster care children, parents, and families are receiving ongoing and services
- Develop and maintain positive and strong working relationships with the Foster Care and Adoption teams and foster care parents and families, while maintaining professional and ethical boundaries always
- Work as team player and exhibit professional behavior and a positive attitude with both internal and external clients that reflects positively on the Agency and is consistent with Agency policies and practices
- Actively participate in exhibiting cultural awareness and sensitivity when interacting with children, parent(s)/guardian(s), staff, and the community
Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or closely related field
- Valid TX driver’s license and auto insurance coverage
- At least 21 years of age
- Knowledge of psychological theory, methods, and ethics
- Ability to establish rapport, trust, and ethical boundaries with service population
- Strong writing skills with the ability to properly and accurately document case notes
- Ability to apply sound judgement when making decisions
- Ability to follow instructions and work independently with minimum supervision
- Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to meet deadlines and prioritize competing tasks
- Strong people and interpersonal skills with the ability to apply compassion and empathy, while dealing with stressful and difficult situations
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or closely related field
- LMSW, LCSW, LMFT, or LPC
- 1-year relevant experience in foster care, child welfare, or adoption
- Bilingual (English and Spanish based on service area and service population)
Physical Demands & Work Conditions
- This position requires sitting and looking and using a computer for long periods of time
- Driving position
- Position works with children and families
- Lift, push, pull, move up to 50 lbs.
The physical requirements for this position with or without reasonable accommodation are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this position successfully. While performing this position the employee with or without reasonable accommodation should have the ability to walk, stand, sit, kneel, speak, and hear with aid, see, read, reach with arms and hands, lift and/or move up to specified weight, and use equipment that is essential to performing the job, such as a computer, copier, fax machine, telephone, and automobile, if applicable. Specific vision requirements of this position may include color vision, seeing things close up, and the ability to adjust focus.
Agreement
The statements herein indicate the general nature and essential duties and responsibilities of work performed by an employee in this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job. Management may assign or reassign duties and responsibilities of the job and may request the employee to perform other duties and responsibilities not listed at his/her discretion. This job description is not a contract between the employee occupying the position and the employer. Upbring is an at-will employer. Equal Employment Opportunity/M/F/disability/protected veteran status. If the day-to-day work I perform differs significantly from the above outlined essential duties, it is my obligation to inform my supervisor and/or Organizational Development.
