Family Services Worker

Overview

At Upbring, our team is united by a shared mission: to break the cycle of child abuse and advance the wellbeing of children, families and communities, empowering them to thrive. As servant-leaders, we lead by example, working passionately to create a brighter future for those we serve. Every day, we strive to embody our core values:

• We are Warriors: Fierce, resilient, and courageous, we face challenges head-on with unwavering loyalty and passion.
• We are Servants: We dedicate ourselves to serving others, empowering those around us to thrive.
• We are Family: We work together as a supportive, caring community, creating a sense of belonging and strength.

Joining Upbring means becoming part of a family of passionate individuals who are fearless in their pursuit of lasting change. Together, we are making a difference, one life at a time.

Your Mission in Action

The Family Services Worker (FSW) provides trauma informed, strengths based case management and direct services to foster care or adoptive children, parents, and their families, including but not limited to individual counseling, prevention, administration, advocacy on behalf of the child, parents, and/or families with social services, the court, police, school, and other medical and mental health providers and professionals in accordance to Agency and licensing standards and federal, state, and local regulatory requirements. These services are provided with a trauma-informed care approach and evidenced based or promising practices that support child safety, permanency and well-being.

Responsibilities

• Conduct regular home visits and on-going assessment to assess child safety, wellbeing and placement stability to ensure foster care children and homes remain viable for placement and meeting their specific needs
• Develop and implement a case plan to establish individualized goals focusing on healing and permanency using appropriate and necessary resources to maintain placement, minimize risk and provide for the safety of the children.
• Ensure children's voices and needs are prioritized in case planning while advocating for necessary services in collaboration with their service planning team to provide comprehensive care.
• Provide emergency and on-call services when needed
• Provide supportive services and/or other resources for foster care children with emotional, social, behavioral, or mental health needs
• Assess the safety of the child; take the necessary steps (actions) to protect the child if deemed appropriate in accordance with Agency standards and federal, state, and local laws and regulations
• Provide stabilization services (crisis intervention) for foster children, parents, and their families in a timely manner
• Determine action to be taken to remove or to reduce an immediate threat to the safety of the child; arrange for temporary placement in another foster care or group home or treatment facility
• Follow a formal process for case reviews and informal transfer between agencies and referral sources that appropriately meet the needs of the child, parent, and/or family
• Obtain needed information and complete regular reports regarding foster care children progress
• Work closely with management, staff, service providers and professionals, and various local community systems (education, medical, behavioral health, etc.,) resources to ensure foster care children, parents, and families are receiving ongoing and services
• Accurately document all relevant and appropriate information related to the child, parents, and/or families in accordance with Agency standards, state licensing requirements, and other federal, state, and local regulatory requirements
• Build strong relationships with community partners to expand resources for children and families to include participation in team meetings, case staffings and court proceedings as a part of child well-being
• Provide foster families with education on relevant child wellbeing topics to include agency generated trainings as well as PRN training needs.
• Assist with child placement and post-placement services, which may include identifying and contacting the appropriate foster parent and coordinating arrangements between the placement agency and the foster home
• Provide an aftercare plan to youth exiting placement
• Provide time-specific follow-up meetings that may include referrals for new or additional services
• Develop and maintain positive and strong working relationships with the Foster Care and Adoption teams and foster care parents and families, while maintaining professional and ethical boundaries always
• Offer emotional support and crisis intervention as well as assist in conflict resolution and mediation between foster children, their caregivers, members of the service planning team and outside stakeholders.
• Work as team player and exhibit professional behavior and a positive attitude with both internal and external clients that reflects positively on the Agency and is consistent with Agency policies and practices
• Actively participate in exhibiting cultural awareness and sensitivity when interacting with children, parent(s)/guardian(s), staff, and the community
• Foster a positive and collaborative work environment that aligns with Upbring's Mission and Values
• Other duties and projects as assigned

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or closely related field
• Valid TX driver’s license and auto insurance coverage
• At least 21 years of age
• Knowledge of psychological theory, methods, and ethics
• Ability to establish rapport, trust, and ethical boundaries with service population
• Strong writing skills with the ability to properly and accurately document case notes
• Ability to apply sound judgement when making decisions
• Ability to follow instructions and work independently with minimum supervision
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to meet deadlines and prioritize competing tasks
• Strong people and interpersonal skills with the ability to apply compassion and empathy, while dealing with stressful and difficult situations
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or closely related field
• LMSW, LCSW, LMFT, or LPC
• 1-year relevant experience in foster care, child welfare, or adoption
• Bilingual (English and Spanish based on service area and service population)

Travel

• This position may be required to travel locally up to 5%

Perks at Upbring

• Competitive PTO & paid holidays
• Health, dental, vision insurance & more
• 403(b) Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• Discounted Gym Memberships

Physical Demands & Work Conditions

• This position requires sitting and looking and using a computer for long periods of time
• Position has constant exposure to children
• Position requires frequent standing and walking
• Lift, push, pull, move up to 25 lbs.

The physical requirements for this position with or without reasonable accommodation are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this position successfully. While performing this position the employee with or without reasonable accommodation should have the ability to walk, stand, sit, kneel, speak, and hear with aid, see, read, reach with arms and hands, lift and/or move up to specified weight, and use equipment that is essential to performing the job, such as a computer, copier, fax machine, telephone, and automobile, if applicable. Specific vision requirements of this position may include color vision, seeing things close up, and the ability to adjust focus.

Upbring is an Equal Employment Opportunity/AA Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.