Family Search and Engagement Specialist

About the role

For over 35 years, Youth Villages has transformed the lives of children and families nationwide through innovative, research-based programs focused on preserving and restoring families.

As a national leader in children's mental and behavioral health, we serve more than 47,000 youth, young people, and their families annually across 29 states and Washington, D.C. Our proven treatment models drive long-term success in child welfare, juvenile justice, and mental health systems. At Youth Villages, we do what works - partnering with others to expand our impact and advocate for meaningful, lasting change.

We're seeking purpose-driven individuals who are passionate about making a difference. With a dedicated team of more than 5,000 staff, Youth Villages is committed to investing in and supporting our employees by offering opportunities to build a fulfilling career through professional growth, personal development, and a mission that matters- helping children and families live successfully.

Position Overview

The Family Search and Engagement Specialist engages social services agencies to identify youth where family finding is needed and gathers materials for a strong assessment of the family and community. Once connections are found, the Specialist contacts them to determine interest and appropriateness for connecting with the child and serving as a resource or support. The Specialist then works to support youth in developing meaningful connections, strengthening their sense of identity, and assessing the living arrangements to be safe and preventing re-entry into the foster care system.

Additionally, the Family Search and Engagement Specialist will have responsibilities related to engaging community stakeholders to establish high levels of communication and collaboration.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The Family Search and Engagement Specialist

• Conducts viable family searches and administers family assessments
• Contacts any biological relatives or other adult kinship or fictive kin
• Meets with case workers to gather verbal and written information about youth and families
• Contacts previous or current mental health and/or physical health providers to gather pertinent information about the youth and family that is vital to comprehensive care
• Contacts previous or current educational institutions
• Meets regularly with agency leadership
• Effectively manages and navigates family search engines
• Implements indicated assessment tools
• Builds positive relationships with key community stakeholders by pursuing case referrals through family finding work
• Establishes relationships with key community providers including psychologists, psychiatrists, mental health centers, school groups, community groups, juvenile court personnel, human services workers, and social workers
• Responds to customer service needs and monitors customer satisfaction
• Maintains ongoing contact with key referral sources
• Completes 3-month post discharge calls to families to assess the youth's stability in the community
• Performs other duties as assigned

Additional Information

• Schedule is flexible and non-traditional as it is based around the availability of youth and families served.
• Applicants must possess a current, valid driver's license, an automobile for work purposes, and proof of auto insurance.
• Community-based staff will be reimbursed for applicable mileage.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a social services discipline (preferred)
• Bachelor's degree in social services field (required)
• Degrees that can be considered include: social work, drug and alcohol education or counseling, psychology, criminal justice, guidance counseling, or marriage and family therapy (others subject to review)
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent written, verbal, and oral skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• Basic computer knowledge
• Ability to maintain a flexible schedule

Youth Villages Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Prescription Drug Coverage and Vision
• 401(k)
• Time off:
• 2 week paid vacation (full-time) / 1 week paid vacation (part-time)
• 12 paid sick days per year
• 11 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• Mileage & Cell Phone Reimbursement (when applicable)
• Tuition reimbursement and licensure supervision
• Growth & development through continuous training
• Clinical and administrative advancement opportunities

• *Benefits are excluded for variable status employees.
• Youth Villages is committed to not only advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace but also in our work with children and young adults.

We know that children, families and young people of color can face inequity in child welfare and justice systems, and we train our employees to build the skills they need to work with the communities that we serve, as well as, other employees from different cultures and backgrounds. Youth Villages is opposed to racism in any of its forms and is committed to inclusion, equity, and diversity.

We believe that respect for each other is crucial in the work that we do each day.