SUMMARY OF DUTIES:

The Family Specialist II works closely with other members of the Lighthouse treatment team to address the issues of the recovering client and her children. They provides parent education, training and counseling to the mothers.  They assesses the needs of the children for behavioral and counseling interventions and links children for services in the broader community. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manages parenting and children's services for assigned caseload of families.
• Establishes service plans, reviews and updates plans quarterly.
• Participates in case conferences
• Completes children and parenting assessments of assigned families.
• Provides interventions to promote children's positive behavior, increase resiliency and reduce the risk of later substance abuse by the children.
• Links children to needed services in the community and coordinates external services with programming in the residence (e.g. school, daycare)
• Provides support around custody issues including court related activities.
• Utilizes a variety of techniques to increase clients' parenting skills and confidence, including modeling and demonstrating appropriate responses to children's behavior and reinforcing effective parenting in the milieu.
• Conducts individual and group sessions for mothers focusing on parenting.
• Supports parent involvement in decision-making about children's services and school involvement.
• Provides crisis intervention to mothers and children.
• Flexible and/or unusual hours including a regularly assigned weekend and/or evening schedule and emergency on-call.
• Availability of a car, a valid New York State Driver's License and a clean driving record.

·  Schedule and assigned duties are subject to change based on the needs of the program and the clients we serve.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

·  Must have knowledge of child development, effect of in utero drug and alcohol exposure, impact of addiction and recovery on family functioning.

·  Must have awareness of strategies forimproving parenting skills. 

·  Must have knowledge of substance abuse prevention theory and techniques. 

·  Must be familiar with community resources providing services to children. 

·  Must be knowledgeable of and sensitive to the cultural differences in family structure and parenting style. 

·  Must have effective intervention skills with children and families. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

·  Master degree in related field (Psychology, Social Work, Education), and two (2) years relevant paid direct service experience in an agency providing women's substance abuse treatment or family and/or children's services

OR

·  Bachelor degree in behavioral health or human service field and QHP status plus four (4) years relevant experience.

AND

• A valid NYS drivers' license.
• Automobile in good working order.
• Must have Accredited NYS Defensive driving course; or obtain within 15 days of hire.
• Must maintain Active NYS Defensive Driving class every 3 years, upon expiration.
• If driving one's own vehicle, must maintain valid inspection and automobile insurance.
• Must provide proof of insurance upon hire and when requested.