Position Title: Home-Based Family Support Counselor

Reports to: Clinical Supervisor

Position Summary

The Home-Based Family Support Counselor workd directly with clients and families to prevent the placement of children outside the home, reunify children and families, and resolve issues of family dysfunction.

Minimum Qualifications

• Possesses a master's degree in physchology, social work, community counseling, human services, behavioral science, or related field
• Possesses a bachelor's degree in the above area and is working on a master's degree along with experience working with families with children and adolescents with severe emotional problems
• Possesses experience in clinical interviewing and treatment planning
• Possesses excellent oral and written communication skills
• Has the ability to work independently as well as with a multidisciplinary team
• Possesses a valid driver's license and a good driving record
• Provides proof of car insurance and a reliable means of transporting clients
• Possesses the skills and ability to work with people across age, race, and socio-ecomonic status
• Able to get clearance from the Child Abuse Registry prior to providing any services
• Completetion of State of Delaware training in recognizing child abuse and neglect including:

  CORE 101 Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect (3 days)

  RISK Management (3.5 days)

  ACT ONE-Substance Abuse and Child Abuse and Neglect (3 days)

  Legal training (1 day)

Position Duties and Responsibilities

Treatment:

• Provides in home or community-based counseling services to assist parent or adult caretaker in enabling improved family functioning
• Contacts referring DFS worker within 48 hours to discuss treatment goals and initiate treatment planning and to schedule a review of the family cas record. Accompanies DFS worker to an initial meeting with the family. If this is not possible, documents reasons
• Sees the family within seven days of acceptance of the case. If this is not possible, documents reasons
• Provides initial assessment to determine if services are needed. Incorporates information from the DFS case record in the assessment
• Observes the interaction between family members and determines strenghts and problems
• Assist the family to identify and ameliorate problems, improve communication, explore roles and expectation of the family members
• Uses counseling techniques to address specific family problems
• Develops a case plan based on the family's strengths and needs
• Is available for case planning meetings with the DFS, schools, and for the courts
• Notifies DFS of missed appointments without notification and decelops a plan of action
• Follows the Delaware code in transporting clients with regard to using child safety seats and seat belts. Will not smoke or permit smoking while transporting DSF clients

Documentation:

• Develops an initial service plan which incorporates the client's case file
• Provides DFS with the ISP and updates at regular intervals
• Provides DFS with monthly oral reports
• Maintains accurate progress notes of each contact, telephone contact, failed appointment, and collateral contact in a timely manner
• Reports any incidents or crisis to the therapist and/or doctor
• Discusses closure with the DFS worker and the family two weeks prior to the end of the six-month authorization period and schedules a joint closure visit with the DFS worker and the family
• Provides a written discharge report following the policy and procedure manual
• Does a pre-risk assessment within 30 days and a final-risk assessment upon closure of the case
• Completes and submit billing information in a timely manner

Treatment Coordination and Communication:

• Meets monthly with the Clinical Supervisor to review progress on each open case and update the service plans
• Communicates with physicians and therapists who share involvement in a case or family treatment as needed
• Maintains availability and responsiveness to clerical and administrative staff
• Follows the State reporting guidelines and PBH policy for mandatory incident reporting

Continuous Quality Improvement:

• Helps with continuous quality improvement efforts
• Completes the recommended training (in addition to the required training listed above):

  CORE 102-Interview Skill (3 days)

  CORE 103-Child Development (3 days)

  Domestic Violence (2 days)