Classification Title: Youth and Family Treatment Specialist – Foster Care
Classification:
Non-Exempt
Reports to:
Manager - Treatment Foster Care
GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB
This position is primarily responsible for coordinating and providing services to children
and families using a trauma informed and strengths based model. Services provided
will be best practice and evidenced based for working with youth in foster care. Serves
as the primary clinical case coordinator conducting home visits, assessing the
relationship and stability of the placement, conducting trauma assessments, providing
case management, home studies, therapeutic intervention, and development of
treatment plans Also serves to link families and youth to community resources and
services, provides family support to increase stability and promote relationships that are
healing for youth. Serves as team leader and a liaison with custodial agency.
MINIMUM EDUCATION, TRAINING, REQUIREMENTS AND PREREQUISITES
 Master’s degree in Social Work from a college or university accredited by the
Council on Social Work Education or a field related to social work such as
sociology, psychology, special education or counseling with a student placement
in case work services to children and families or a minimum of one-year
experience providing casework services to children and families; or
 Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or a field related to social work such as
sociology, psychology, special education or counseling with one year providing
casework services to families and children
 Knowledge of and ability to comply with state licensing, Medicaid and other
accreditation standards
 Ability to provide quality assurance of resource, foster family and youth charts to
ensure they meet all required standards
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Ability to work on-call to provide crisis intervention and assistance
Ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds
Familiarity with state licensing and Medicaid standards preferred
Valid Virginia Drivers’ License and proof of insurance
Satisfactory Driving Record
Ability to work a flexible work schedule including weekend and evening work
Ability to acquire Crisis De-escalation, First Aid, CPR Certification, Pre-Service
and other necessary trainings as required by state regulations for child placing
agencies
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Youth and Family Treatment Specialist– Foster Care
 Good oral, written, interpersonal and communication skills
 Ability to organize work effectively
 Ability to maintain records, prepare reports and required paperwork according to
licensing and agency requirements on a timely basis
 Basic computer skills and experience working with Microsoft Office
 Ability to drive agency vehicle and access to a personal vehicle for client
transport
 Ability to observe health and safety regulations
SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Essential Functions: May be required to perform any of the following duties:
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Conducts interviews of children and families to complete a variety of tasks
including but not limited to home study and evaluation, service planning and
assessment, incident investigation, and discharge/transitional planning
Coordinates services to minimize fragmentation of care, reduce barriers, and link
children with appropriate services to ensure comprehensive, continuous access
to needed medical, social, educational, and other services appropriate to the
needs of the child
Drives agency vehicle and personal vehicle for client transport
Performs tasks related to client referrals, intake, and placement and assists with
the transition of the child in/out of a foster home. This includes, but is not limited
to meeting with families; completing eligibility determination and other
assessment activities; coordinating with referring agencies and agency staff;
completing and documenting referral information
Counsels children and families in preparation for placement or discharge
Supervises children in resource, foster and adoptive homes
Works from a trauma-informed perspective conducting periodic assessments;
coaches families to assist with stability and permanency using interventions
designed to increase resource and foster family parenting capacities.
Works with youth in home using a trauma informed and relationship based model
and provides interventions to assist youth with success in a community based
setting
Develops individual service plans for assigned cases that are trauma informed
and strengths based in coordination with service planning team and acts as team
leader to coordinate meetings, assign tasks and provide guidance and direction
Maintains current working knowledge of VDSS licensing and Medicaid
requirements as they relate to assigned responsibilities
Leads and participates in periodic assessment to determine the child’s needs for
psychosocial, nutritional, medical, and educational services
Ensures that all services are provided in accordance with the individual service
plan and documented as required by agency procedures and licensing/funding
agency standards
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Youth and Family Treatment Specialist– Foster Care
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Monitors and follows up by assessing on-going progress in each case and
ensuring services are delivered
Continually evaluates and reviews each child’s plan of care
Collaborates with the family assessment and planning teams and other involved
parties in the preparation and review of all service plans and coordination of
services to children and families
Manages all assigned cases and maintains face-to-face and regular contact with
the child and family as defined by the specific case needs
Educates and counsels child by guiding child and developing a supportive
relationship with the child and the foster family to promote the service plan
including the placement and discharge of youth. Provides support and education
to the family. Counseling and support to children and families is done within the
scope of the case worker’s professional training and competence
Coordinates referrals for youth and family by assisting youth and family in
arranging for appropriate services and ensuring continuity of care for the child
a. Links the child and/or family to services and supports either specified in or
connected to the individualized treatment and service plan
b. Directly assists the child or family in locating and obtaining needed
services and resources
c. Coordinates services and service planning with other agencies and
providers involved with the child by arranging, as needed, medical,
educational, psychiatric, psychotherapy, therapeutic support and dental
services
Participates in tasks for recruitment, certification, and evaluation of
resource/foster and adoptive homes, include conducting information meetings or
other activities, conducting and writing home studies, periodic home evaluations
and maintaining contact with assigned foster homes that do not have a current
placement
Participates in crisis intervention and provides support as required, including
providing intervention to prevent disruption of placements.
Participates in on-call rotation to assist youth and families maintain stable
placements by providing crisis intervention
Provides supervision, support, and assistance to youth and foster families
through regular home visits and telephone contact, as assigned, and
continuously evaluates and monitors placements and home compliance during
visits
Completes periodic progress reviews and documents as required by agency
procedures and licensing/funding agency standards. Cooperates with the
referring agency and provides them with required reports and documentation,
attends meetings as requested
Prepares and maintains accurate, complete, and up-to-date files on all youth and
parents assigned
Participates in the file review process and corrects file deficiencies in a timely
manner
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Youth and Family Treatment Specialist– Foster Care
Other Job Functions:
 Supports the program’s operational philosophy, goals and objectives congruent
with the Lutheran Family Services of Virginia, Inc. (LFSVA) mission, values,
vision and strategic direction
 Participates in on-going relevant staff trainings that are evidence-based and
promote best practice models as well as agency required trainings
 Maintains weekly contact with therapeutic mentors on assigned cases
 Adheres to agency guidelines and policies
 Participates in foster parent support activities as requested
 Attends and participates in team meetings to include staff, disposition, clinical
group and individual supervisions
 Reviews paperwork for accuracy; prepares documentation and paperwork and
creates files
 Conducts investigations with regard to client concerns related to service
provisions.
 Performs administrative tasks, including submission of expense reports,
employee leave reports, documentation of client information for entry into client
tracking system Participates in administrative supervision with Manager of
Treatment Foster Care at least bi-weekly and keeps supervisor informed of
significant changes in status for assigned cases
 Performs other related duties as required and assigned
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Youth and Family Treatment Specialist– Foster Care
SUMMARY OF PHYSICAL, SENSORY AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
NEEDED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES
Not Applicable
Rarely = (less than ½ hour per day)
Occasionally = (1/2 - 2.5 hours per day)
Physical Requirements
1. Lifting: Up to 40 lbs.
2. Carrying: Up to 40 lbs.
3. Pushing/Pulling: Up to 40 lbs.
4. Use of Equipment:
a. Computer, telephone, copier,
agency vehicle, fax, typewriter
5. Sitting: Frequently
6. Standing: Frequently
7. Walking: Frequently
8. Bending: Occasionally
Frequently = (2.5 - 5.5 hours per day)
Continually = (5.5 - 8 hours per day)
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Stooping: Occasionally
Crawling: Not at all
Climbing: Occasionally
Reaching above head: Frequently
Grasping:
a. One hand: Frequently
b. Both hands: Frequently
14. Fine Manipulating:
a. One hand: Frequently
b. Both hands: Frequently
Environmental Requirements
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Exposed to marked changes in temperature: Occasionally
Outside work: Occasionally
Exposure to dust, fumes, odors, water, etc.: Occasionally
Exposure to biological, mechanical, electrical and/or chemical hazards: Not at all
Normal (inside) environment: Continuously
Noise: Occasionally
Sensory Requirements
1. Eyesight:
a. Normal/corrected: Necessary
b. Close eye work: Necessary
c. Other: _____________
2. Hearing:
a. Normal tones: Necessary
b. Soft tones: Necessary
c. Other: _____________
3. Distinguish Smells: Not necessary
4. Distinguish Temperatures:
a. Touch: Not necessary
b.
Proximity: Not necessary
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Youth and Family Treatment Specialist– Foster Care
Acknowledgment
This job description reflects Lutheran Family Services of Virginia, Inc.’s best effort to
describe the essential functions, other functions and qualifications of the job described.
It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of all duties, responsibilities or
qualifications of the job, and does not limit the assignment of additional duties. This is
not intended to be a contract.
I have read, understand, and accept the duties, standards, and expectations required of
this position. I have reviewed the attached Summary of Physical, Sensory and
Environmental Requirements Needed to Perform Essential Job Duties and affirm that I
am able to perform the duties required of this position. I hereby affirm my good-faith
compliance with all Agency policies and procedures.
Signature
Print Name
Date
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