Child and Family Specialist

 A world where every child is safe, every family is strong, and hope outshines hardship. We help children heal from trauma so they can build healthy relationships, succeed in education and discover their own world of opportunities and possibilities. This happens by engaging a child in the context of their family issues. We know that, to end a cycle of abuse or trauma, we must work with children to clarify their thoughts and feelings and get a realistic view of each family member’s role in their life.
 

In response to this community-wide challenge, Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services (PCHAS), now operates 12 programs in 34 locations, serving nearly 4,500 children and families each year, which provide children with permanent homes and adults with increased self-sufficiency. This is accomplished by the agency’s commitment to “The PCHAS Way” which inspires the agency to be strength-focused, family-centered, and goal driven with every client.

Benefits of serving children and families in need through PCHAS include competitive salaries, flex work schedules, paid time off, medical, dental and vision insurance options, voluntary life insurance options, paid holidays, and a very generous retirement plan (after one year of service and working 1,000 hours the agency matches an employee 200% up to a 3%. 

FLSA Status: Exempt 

Position Summary: 

This position will provide strength-based services to children and their families. This position reports to a Child & Family Supervisor and provides individual services that can include in-home case management, strength focused life skills training, attachment-based parenting curriculum, employ the Strengths Model, and support, as well as counseling services in certain locations.

Job Functions:

• To learn and effectively implement the PCHAS Way and Philosophy of Care (including the Strengths Model) in direct practice.
• To make home visits to conduct strengths-based assessments, develop plans of service driven by the Discovering Strengths Tool and provide holistic case management services to meet individualized goals of the family driven by Personal Goal Plans.
• To be knowledgeable of local needs and available services for children and families.
• To publicize PCHAS presence as a professional liaison with the social service community and speak at churches and community groups when requested.
• To make home visits to conduct need assessments, develop plans of service and provide holistic case management services to meet individualized needs of the family.
• To provide psychoeducational parent training to equip families in becoming competent in demonstrating these skills with their children.
• To assist and encourage families to advocate for and coordinate all needed services toward the goal of achieving self-sufficiency.
• To maintain all documentation in the CSWIS data system in an ethical and timely manner.
• To communicate, collaborate and organize with community partners to provide the best possible community resources for children and their families.

Working Conditions: 

This position is most often housed at Grace Chrisitan Church with normal office equipment (laptop computer, copier, office furniture). Much of the work other than scheduling and case documentation is spent outside the office doing home visits, face to face contact with clients, and resource networking with other community providers. This position must have reliable transportation and an acceptable driving record in order to provide in-home services to families.

• Minimum requirements for this position include: BSW or equivalent with two-year experience of working with children and families. A master's degree and Licensure is Strongly Preferred, and Clinical Licensure is encouraged.
• This position must have competence in conducting strengths-based assessments, strengths-based service planning and providing strengths-based case management and parenting psychoeducation delivery to families. 
• The ability to work with a variety of human problems and competence in managing crisis intervention is required. 
• Social work skills to promote empathy and positive professional/client relationships are required. 
• Strong organizational skills, time management and flexibility in work hours are required. 
• An ability to utilize computer skills and be efficient with documentation within a client-based computer system is essential. 
• Essential to this position are excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to be efficient in recording case documentation.

Other Requirements:

Must hold a valid driver’s license, have and maintain a risk-free driving record. Must be willing to undergo initial and periodic child abuse/neglect, criminal history, sexual offender, and childcare/elder care disqualification list screenings. As requested, must submit fingerprints for review by the state of your employment and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Must undergo a pre-employment drug screen and a pre-employment physical with the results showing no evidence of communicable disease.

Christian Commitment: 

Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services (PCHAS) is a faith-based organization guided by Christ’s love, dedicated to creating a world where every child is safe, every family is strong, and hope outshines hardship.

Through Christ-centered care, we empower children, young adults, and families by nurturing their strengths, resilience, and faith. We strive to serve like Jesus—meeting those we serve where they are, treating them with dignity and compassion, and walking alongside them with grace and understanding.

At PCHAS, we focus on the strengths and potential within each individual, encouraging those we serve to look forward with hope and confidence rather than being defined by past challenges. When we live out this mission well, we help children and families experience hope, thrive in their journeys, and know the enduring love of God.