Family Support Specialist (R2R) – Raleigh, NC
About Communities In Schools of North Carolina:
At Communities In Schools, we are “all-in” for kids. It is our passion– it is our mission. As the State Office for North Carolina, we deliver CIS programs across the state and we collaborate with local affiliate organizations, to provide resources and create communities of caring adults who work hand-in-hand with educators to make sure young people have the tools they need to stay in school and achieve in life. Communities In Schools is the nation’s largest dropout prevention organization, serving 1.5 million students in 2,400 sites across the country. We achieve this mission by hiring bright, creative, and innovative team members who have a passion for what we do. At CISNC, we value relationships, collaboration, learning, integrity and commitment.
Position Overview:
The Family Support Specialist (FSS) will provide comprehensive support and resources to the families of the justice-involved youth on the Youth Success Coach’s caseload, upon youth commitment to the Youth Development Center (YDC). The FSS will work closely with parents/caregivers to assess their needs, identify areas where they may need support, and develop individualized care plans that address their needs and goals. The FSS will collaborate with the Youth Success Coach, Juvenile Justice professionals, social workers, healthcare professionals, and other community resource partners to ensure that families receive comprehensive support and services while the youth is in the YDC, which will be sustainable well beyond youth release.
Duties
- Conduct assessments with parents and caregivers of justice-involved youth to determine their needs related to the youth’s legal involvement, as well as their basic needs related to food, shelter, medical care, and social support.
- Evaluate the physical, emotional, and mental health of parents and caregivers and identify areas where additional support may be needed.
- Work with parents and caregivers to develop individualized care plans that address their specific needs and goals related to supporting their youth and maintaining their well-being.
- Provide information and referrals to community resources and support services that can assist parents and caregivers in meeting their needs.
- Collaborate with juvenile justice professionals, social workers, and other healthcare professionals to ensure that families receive comprehensive care.
- Provide education and training to parents and caregivers on topics related to supporting their youth during and after their involvement with the justice system, as well as topics related to caregiving, self-care, and stress management.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date electronic records of assessments, care plans, and progress notes in a database.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of care plans and make adjustments as necessary.
- Complete appropriate documentation to capture services provided to parents/legal guardians as well as other necessary documents.
Essential Functions:
- Collaborate with the Team to coordinate pre- and post-release support plans and probationary requirements with Juvenile Court Counselors.
- Identify student’s pre-release at the Youth Development Center (YDC) and utilize provided assessments to determine strengths/deficits in education, social, emotional, familial, and physical to develop a post-release support plan.
- Coordinate recognition for all adjudicated students who show improvement.
- If appropriate, connect the student and parent to the appropriate CIS Student Support Specialist at the school for services and continued supportive case management.
- Complete appropriate documentation to capture services provided to students, and other necessary documents.
- Maintain electronic caseload notes and necessary metrics for progress, monitoring, and adjusting interventions.
- Build program quality by visiting YDC/school/community sites, providing constructive feedback directly and through written reports, and championing program improvement initiatives.
- Frequent sitting, speaking, hearing, and moving about the school and YDCs.
- Occasional lifting (20 lbs.)/ Occasional pushing (25 lbs.)
- Travel Required: 75%
Required Education/Experience:
- Minimum of Bachelor’s degree in the field of criminal justice, human services, social work, counseling, public administration, or management related field.
- Minimum of 2 years of working experience in one of these areas.
- A valid NC driver’s license.
Necessary Skills:
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Self-motivated with the ability to make independent decisions with a focus on equity, accountability and with a high degree of integrity.
- Ability to work collaboratively across areas to ensure the strongest possible outcome for youth and their families post release.
- Sensitivity and ability to appreciate points of view of parents/caregivers, personnel, and other agencies/organizations, including a keen awareness of their needs and goals and how to build collaborative partnerships based upon fundamental R2R and CISNC principles.
- Ability to acquire and maintain familiarity with all relevant resources.
- Ability to be flexible in a work environment often filled with ambiguous situations.
- Effective oral and written communication skills.
- Professional presentation skills with both large and small groups.
- Computer skills to include working knowledge of Microsoft Office software.
- Ability to manage time, paperwork, and people effectively.
Preferred:
- Knowledge of Youth Behavioral Issues/Community programs and resources available.
- Persons willing to develop a supportive network of services for identified youthful offenders.
- Bilingual (English/Spanish)
