Supportive Visitation Specialist

Overview

Position Title: Supportive Visitation Specialist

Reports to: Supervising Supportive Visitation Specialist

Broad Function: Provide supportive visitation services.

II. PROFESSIONALISM

• Values and participates in the team as a proactive member.
• Respects others’ professional opinions and tolerates a range of feelings.
• Able to give and receive constructive criticism.
• Willing to take on extra work as needed (i.e. when there is a vacancy).

III. SUPERVISION

IV. DIRECT SERVICE

• Attends supervision consistently and comes prepared.
• Able to receive feedback and learn from it.
• Has insight about self (i.e., strengths and weaknesses) and utilizes that knowledge towards growth and change.
• Attends all necessary trainings in compliance with the SVS model.
• Schedules and conducts visits in the least-restrictive, most home-like location (the first preference being within the family’s home) while ensuring the safety of the children.
• Initiates and maintains ongoing communication with families that is culturally sensitive, utilizing family’s preferred language considering a family’s faith and culture.
• Ensures the environment for parent-child contact is safe, non-traumatizing, and promotes healthy attachment.
• Uses strengths-based, solutions-focused, family centered, trauma-informed strategies to elicit family input.
• Advocates for parents/families as necessary and supports them in advocating for themselves.
• Uses a process to gather information which includes reviewing collateral information and inquiring about family’s natural supports.
• Completes required assessment tools including but not limited to:
  Rose Wentz Matrix and SVS Caregiver Surveys.
• Documents contacts with families in the agency’s progress notes and DCP&P contact sheets.
• Creates a visitation plan with active familial involvement and updates the plan at regular intervals.
• Facilitates visit planning meetings and participates in other relevant meetings.
• Initiates and maintains ongoing communication with DCP&P, other providers, and supports.
• Links the family to community resources, formal and informal supports, and coordinates with DCP&P.
• Collaborates with and shares relevant information with DCP&P staff, other providers, and supports.
• Provides support and modeling around appropriate and nurturing parenting.
• Enhances parental skills by goal setting, modeling, mentoring, reinforcement and feedback and reflection through a trauma-informed perspective.
• Prepares for each visit with caregivers reviewing goals and expectations and encouraging them to be the lead in visit planning.
• Debriefs with caregivers after each visit to allow for processing and self-reflection and discussion of strengths and challenges.
• Creates an environment that empowers family members, including parents, children, and caregivers to communicate their goals and needs.
• Utilizes various interviewing and/or communication techniques in a culturally competent manner.
• Recognizes non-verbal communication and maintains good eye contact and posture.
• Provides in-home aftercare services in the event of reunification of families.
• Provides transportation for parents and/or children to and from visitation location.
• Engages in case presentations and completes timely documentation.
• Prepares case presentations and engages in case discussions/consultations.
• Maintains electronic health record and completes all internal and external documentation needs in accordance with program guidelines.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education & Experience: Candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree in social work or related field (e.g. counseling or psychology). Candidates will have at least 1 year in the mental health field, including at least 1 year experience working with children and families. Preferred:
Candidates will have experience working with families involved in the child welfare system and and/or affected by trauma.
* Master’s degree preferred. Valid New Jersey driver’s license, safe driving record, and vehicle availability are required.

Knowledge: Knowledge of the child welfare system, community resources, social services, and mental health systems. Knowledge of trauma and its effect on children and families. Knowledge of…