Under the direction of the TFC Coordinator, the TFC Specialist coordinates services to children placed in Treatment Foster Care. The specialist provides coaching to TFC families, oversees the treatment plan for children placed in the program and oversees the implementation of the treatment plans by the Treatment Foster Families and the clients placed in their home with a primary focus on treatment, stability, and permanency for the youth. This position demonstrates a commitment to connecting children to families and keeping families connected and provides all services in accordance with the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Major duties, responsibilities, activities and tasks include but are not limited to:
- Maintains flexibility in work schedule in order to meet the needs of clients, including availability a minimum of two evenings per week.
- Shares in after hours on-call responsibilities for Treatment Foster Care.
- Complete an initial therapeutic bio-psycho-social assessment, risk and safety plan and documents diagnosis on each assigned client, as a component of the Intake Assessment, within contracted deadlines.
- Complete Initial Treatment Plan by the 30th day of placement, ensuring input from involved team members.
- Complete monthly Treatment Plan Review documentation, including progress update information, and ensure input from involved team members.
- Prepare comprehensive transition planning throughout the program, and write discharge summaries that include transition process and recommendations within 30 days of discharge.
- Provide a minimum of 1-hr weekly contact and support followed by written progress notes as appropriate on each assigned client and a minimum of twice monthly face to face contact in the treatment family home with each assigned client.
- Ensure that documentation for therapeutic services provided is submitted within established time frames. Monthly packets and monthly progress notes are to be completed by the 5th day of the following month.
- Participate in all appropriate Treatment Team Meetings by providing treatment review, input, perspective, recommendations and consultation. (e.g. Care Meetings, FSTs, TDMs)
- Participate in transition and discharge planning for clients and provide transitional TFC services as required/requested.
- Participate in continuous program/quality improvement efforts as directed by the TFC Coordinator.
- Ensure that clients’ progress is charted, up-to-date and kept orderly according to compliance requirements. (e.g. Catholic Charities, Children’s Division, COA, etc.)
- Coordinate all psychiatric and psychological evaluations and clinical services. When necessary, (and in cooperation with case manager) lead the arranging of psychiatric hospitalizations, monitor the hospital stay, and help prepare the team for the client’s return and/or discharge.
- Maintain all confidentiality and HIPAA requirements.
- Complete incident reports for all critical incidents including hospitalization, involvement with law enforcement, elopement, physical injury, etc and ensure that info is relayed as needed in a timely manner.
- Provide appropriate debriefing for all critical incidents.
- Serves on internal or external committees as assigned.
- Other duties as assigned
RELATIONSHIP-BUILDING ACTIVITIES
- Develop and maintain therapeutic relationships with clients – children and treatment foster families.
- Maintain a consistent, steady, and active presence in foster homes through TFC program guidelines, and use observations and interactions thereon to guide his/her work for and with the client.
- Meet formally with each assigned client at frequency and duration established in the treatment plan and in compliance with the contract.
- Develop, maintain and continually strive to enhance working, professional relationships with referral sources, clients, Good Shepherd colleagues at all levels, families, and other stakeholders.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Master’s degree in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work or a closely related field required and one years of experience in child welfare; or a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Social Worker or a closely related field with at least three years’ experience in child welfare.
- Working knowledge of community resources. An understanding of family systems, the impact of abuse and neglect; substance abuse; mental illness; poverty; grief and loss; and trauma on children and their families.
- Ability to make quick, and ethically sound decisions in a fast-paced environment
- Understanding of “professional boundaries”
- Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
- Demonstrated strength in time-management, prioritizing and problem-solving (strongly desired)
- Focus on permanency plans for clients, advocate placement appropriateness and provide recommendations as needed.
- Support the teachings of the Catholic Church
- Actively work with colleagues from other departments making Good Shepherd resources available to all clients & clients.
- Safe Crisis Management training, CPR and First Aid certification, and medication management
- Ability to work cooperatively and productively with all levels of staff and professionals.
- Ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with state agency and community partners
- Demonstrated ability to form rapport with all clients
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From $44,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
Education:
Experience:
- Child welfare: 2 years (Required)
License/Certification:
- Driver's License (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Florissant, MO 63031: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Florissant, MO 63031