Child and Family Specialist

A world where every child is safe, every family is strong, and hope outshines hardship. We help children heal from trauma so they can build healthy relationships, succeed in education and discover their own world of opportunities and possibilities. This happens by engaging a child in the context of their family issues. We know that, to end a cycle of abuse or trauma, we must work with children to clarify their thoughts and feelings and get a realistic view of each family member’s role in their life.

In response to this community-wide challenge, Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services (PCHAS), now operates 12 programs in 34 locations, serving nearly 4,500 children and families each year, which provide children with permanent homes and adults with increased self-sufficiency. This is accomplished by the agency’s commitment to “The PCHAS Way” which inspires the agency to be strength-focused, family-centered, and goal driven with every client.

Benefits of serving children and families in need through PCHAS include competitive salaries, flex work schedules, paid time off, medical, dental and vision insurance options, voluntary life insurance options, paid holidays, and a very generous retirement plan (after one year of service and working 1,000 hours the agency matches an employee 200% up to a 3%.

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Summary:

This position will provide strength-based services to children and their families. This position reports to a Child & Family Supervisor and provides individual services that can include in-home case management, strength focused life skills training, attachment-based parenting curriculum, employ the Strengths Model, and support, as well as counseling services in certain locations.

Job Functions:

• To learn and effectively implement the PCHAS Way and Philosophy of Care (including the Strengths Model) in direct practice.
• To make home visits to conduct strengths-based assessments, develop plans of service driven by the Discovering Strengths Tool and provide holistic case management services to meet individualized goals of the family driven by Personal Goal Plans.
• To be knowledgeable of local needs and available services for children and families.
• To publicize PCHAS presence as a professional liaison with the social service community and speak at churches and community groups when requested.
• To make home visits to conduct need assessments, develop plans of service and provide holistic case management services to meet individualized needs of the family.
• To provide psychoeducational parent training to equip families in becoming competent in demonstrating these skills with their children.
• To assist and encourage families to advocate for and coordinate all needed services toward the goal of achieving self-sufficiency.
• To maintain all documentation in the CSWIS data system in an ethical and timely manner.
• To communicate, collaborate and organize with community partners to provide the best possible community resources for children and their families.

Working Conditions:

This position is most often housed at Grace Chrisitan Church with normal office equipment (laptop computer, copier, office furniture). Much of the work other than scheduling and case documentation is spent outside the office doing home visits, face to face contact with clients, and resource networking with other community providers. This position must have reliable transportation and an acceptable driving record in order to provide in-home services to families.