Supportive Visitation Specialist/Social Worker I - Children's Home Society

ABOUT SUPPORTIVE VISTATION SERVICES (SVS): Parent-child visitation services for CP&P- involved families with children in out-of-home placement to maintain and strengthen familial interactions and facilitate permanency. Services are provided in the least restrictive setting that maintains safety along a continuum of supervision based on family need. Core activities include ongoing assessment, visitation, aftercare (post-reunification support), transportation and documentation.

DESCRIPTION: The Supportive Visitation Specialist is responsible for supporting parent-child visitation for families in their homes or communities; completing and updating visitation plans; documenting visits and completing reports; facilitating parent debriefings before and after visits and visitation planning meetings; transporting children and/or parents, as needed; communicating with children, parents, relatives, resource parents, DCP&P, and/ or other stakeholders by phone and in person; attending various meetings and trainings; and assessing families’ service needs and linking them to appropriate community providers.

Positions Available: 7

Salary: $55,250.00 - $58,000.00/Annual

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Engaging

Initiates and maintains ongoing communication with families in a culturally sensitive manner  utilizing a family's preferred language taking into consideration a family's faith and culture. Schedules and conducts visits in the least-restrictive, most home-like location while ensuring the safety of the children, ensuring the environment for parent-child contact is safe, non-traumatizing, and promotes  healthy attachment.

Assessing

Uses a process to gather information which includes reviewing collateral information and  inquiring about family's natural supports.  Completes required assessment tools including bio-psychological assessments, Rose Wentz Matrix and SVS Caregiver Surveys and documents contacts with families in agency's progress notes and DCP&P contact sheets.  Creates a visitation plan with active familial involvement and updates the plan at regular   intervals.

Active Listening

Creates an environment that empowers family members, including parents, children, and caregivers to communicate their goals and needs.

Teaming

Advocates for parents/families as necessary and supports them in advocating for themselves. Links the family to community resources and formal and informal supports.  Coordinates  with DCP&P and other providers, and supports.

Coaching

Enhances parental skills by goal setting, modeling, mentoring, reinforcement and feedback  and reflection through a trauma-informed perspective. Prepares for each visit with caregivers, encouraging them to be the lead in visit planning.

Education / Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Counseling, or related field preferred; Minimum of 1 year experience with children and families, particularly families involved with the child welfare system and/or affected by trauma preferred but not required.
• Knowledge of trauma and effect on children and families and experience/willingness to work with culturally diverse populations.
• Valid NJ Driver’s License and clean driver’s abstract

OR

• Associate degree in related field with a minimum of 3 years of experience with children and families, particularly families involved with the child welfare system and/or affected by trauma preferred but not required. Knowledge of trauma and effect on children and families and experience/willingness to work with culturally diverse populations.