Clinical Intake Specialist

The Clinical Intake Specialist effectively refers individuals to mental health services at the CAC or outside providers by strictly adhering to eligibility criteria and therapy capacity. The Clinical Intake Specialist has the primary responsibility of conducting trauma-informed Clinical Assessments with a focus on evaluating adverse experiences of child sexual abuse, the impact on functioning, and traumatic symptoms following CAC Forensic Interviews. Clinical Assessments will be completed prior to ongoing therapeutic or psychological services for children who have disclosed child sexual abuse, exploitation, or severe child maltreatment and offer support to their non-offending caregivers.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conduct trauma-informed clinical assessments and refer to ongoing therapy services
• Assess level of trauma, family dynamics, behavioral concerns, and age-appropriate language.
• Attend training on assessment, brief interventions, and evidence-based treatment for child abuse.
• Attend triage meetings and multidisciplinary case staffing to discuss assessments
• Participate in peer review and stay up to date on current literature to maintain a high a level of assessments skills.
• Ability to maintain a minimum caseload of 10 clients

REQUIREMENTS

Education:

• Master’s Degree in mental health (Counseling, Social Work, or Marriage and Family Therapy) with a license to practice independently.

Experience:

• Minimum 1-2 years of experience in working with children/young adults who have experienced child sexual abuse, child maltreatment, or trauma-related populations.
• Minimum of 2 years conducting clinical assessments

Licensure:

• Licensed mental health provider (Licensed Professional Counselor; Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Working knowledge of the dynamics of sexual abuse and trauma.
• A hospitable disposition, skill in public relations, and a patient, objective, non-judgmental attitude.
• Strong organization skills, reliability, computer skills, flexibility, and ability to work independently and on a team.
• Ability to assess age-appropriate language, verbal and non-verbal communication, and exceptional recall abilities.

PREFERENCES

Language:

• Bilingual in Spanish – Verbal and written (preferred)

Training/Experience:

• Demonstrated training and experience with child maltreatment, the child welfare system or child advocacy centers (preferred)
• Demonstrated training and experience conducting assessments of children (preferred)

General Information

Hours:

• Regular Full-Time position
• Monday-Thursday, Friday Half-day
• 40 Hours per week

Additional Information:

• Required to pass CPS and Criminal Background Check

Interested individuals should complete a CAFB employment application and send it, along with a cover letter and resume to HRRM@cafb.org.

Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE) Coach

The Collaborative Family Engagement Coach provides coaching and consultation to Fort Bend County’s CASA program with the overall goal of being able to increase capacity and implement CFE in Fort Bend County. CFE is integrated within all of CASA’s specialized programming including Infant and Toddler, NEST, and WINGS. CASA volunteer advocates are trained to utilize tools that assist in family finding and helping families recognize available support systems to them. Knowing that every child in the child welfare system has experienced trauma to some degree, CFE strives to decrease long-lasting issues and help these children move on with their lives in a family environment. Working together to strengthen families helps provide accountability, safety, placement, permanency, and healing. CFE also recognizes children heal through relationships, and that every child has a family who can be found through perseverance. This position reports to the CASA Program Director.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES 

Program Administration

• Coach and guide implementation of Collaborative Family Engagement  Program  and the 4C’s of CFE (Collaborate, Cultivate, Convene, Connect) to engage families and children involved in Children’s Protective Services’ cases
• Facilitate trainings for volunteers based on information vital in helping engage families in the foster care system
• Provide assistance and consultation to CASA volunteers, CASA staff, and CPS staff as needed on issues surrounding family engagement
• Coordinate with CASA Program Director, Advocacy Specialists, Family Group Decision Making (DFPS) staff, and case-related connections to schedule family meetings
• Maintain accurate data tracking and reporting related to CFE
• Any other duties, as assigned

Casework Responsibilities

• Provides consultation, feedback, guidance, evaluation, motivation, training, monitoring and preparation to CASA volunteers, CASA staff, and CPS personnel on the use of CFE tools and meetings
• Facilitate CFE team meetings and Family Meetings
• Attends all case staffings for CFE cases
• Contacts families and all parties to coordinate family meetings
• Co-facilitates family meetings with DFPS Family Group Decision Making staff
• Documents and disseminates all notes for family meetings
• Keeps necessary and appropriate records for all CFE cases
• Consults with appropriate DFPS staff regarding client needs and volunteer assignments
• Assist in gathering and reporting data to Texas CASA and other organizations, as requested
• Document CFE implementation in Optima and prepare reporting
• Any other duties, as assigned

 Volunteer Supervision and Case Management, as needed

• Supervise and monitor overflow up to 10 CASA cases and volunteers, as needed, based on the number of children coming into care and caseloads of other CASA Staff. This would entail the following:
• Attend court hearings as necessary
• Attend emergency hearings as necessary
• Consult with appropriate DFPS staff regarding client needs and volunteer assignments
• Act as primary liaison with volunteers
• Provide assistance and consultation to volunteers as needed and when requested. Contact volunteers a minimum of once per month
• Notify volunteers well in advance of hearing dates
• Review court reports prior the hearing date
• Assess and record volunteer performance
• Maintain compliance with Texas CASA and National CASA standards
• Maintain orderly CASA case files
• Any other duties, as assigned

 Strategic and Operational Plan

• Assist in the development of a Collaborative Family Engagement long-range plans and annual operational plans
• Any other duties, as assigned

 Community Outreach Responsibilities

• Maintain effective     relationships      through      personal     contact     and written communication with other providers and resources for youth in foster care, professional and social service organizations, Texas CASA, the Department of Family and Protective Services, and University of Texas
• Engage in public speaking regarding the Collaborative Family Engagement project when appropriate
• Any other duties, as assigned

 Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in social service-related field preferred. Ability to communicate with and empower volunteers, CASA staff, CPS personnel, and other CFE team members to be effective in their roles. Knowledge and  understanding  of  issues  and  dynamics  within  families  in  crises relating to child abuse  and  neglect.  Experience  working  with  such  families  given  preference. Ability to work within a team atmosphere.

Other Requirements

• Submit to a child abuse and criminal background check Complete 30+ hour pre-service training
• Must maintain 12 hours of continuing education annually
• Valid driver’s license
• Must comply with all city, state, and federal laws

Interested individuals should complete a CAFB employment application and send it, along with a cover letter and resume to HRRM@cafb.org.

Child Advocates of Fort Bend is an equal opportunity employer.

CAFB adheres to a strict Zero Tolerance for Child Abuse Policy in our practices and operations.

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