Diversion Specialist - Orange County

POSITION OBJECTIVE: The Diversion Specialist will be responsible for managing a caseload of families served via Family Support Services (FSS) cases. Services to be provided In Home to children and families who are safe but could benefit from services provided via providers in their communities to inhibit them from moving further into the system of care. Diversion Specialist are to oversee the delivery and care coordination of services, make referrals, provide community linkages This position will conduct child safety assessments, complete family assessments and 30- day home visits minimally (or more frequent visits as identified as needed depending on the dynamic of the family) for families served in Orange County. The Diversion Specialist will coordinate and facilitate Family Team Conferences in a flexible, responsive, culturally competent service delivery system. This position will provide family stabilization support to children and families and coordinate with all members of the Family Team including caregivers, providers, DCF and informal and natural supports. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Provide specialized assistance to Child Welfare teams and the children and families in care. Coordinate planning strategies and maintain positive relationships with agencies and community members as applicable. Conduct home visits. Assist in the assessment of clients behaviors and emotional needs to determine the best possible community services to be implemented with/ for youth/ family. Act as a liaison with DCF/case management and the community Conduct home visits at a minimum every 30 days or weekly visits as needed or identified, depending on the familys need and dynamic that is presented at the Diversion staffing. Attending staffings (lockout staffings, MDT, LRT other community meetings as needed or identified). Maintain positive relationships with other agencies and community members as applicable. Complete any necessary file documentation and process data through FSFN and other required data systems. Prepare documentation to identify prevention efforts. Attends and participates in monthly diversion meetings. Coordinates and attend Diversion MDT staffing. Diverts families from the dependency system. Act as a support for the CPI regarding providing/ offering a service that will keep children in their homes/ communities safely and not have to enter out of home care or foster care, as well as service delivery with providers and community resources. Maintains monthly diversion logs and diversion tracking mechanisms for diversion/prevention purposes. Enters information into FSFN and ensures family support pages are created and maintained regarding reason for diversion/prevention involvement and funding etc. Ensure that family support pages are closed in a timely manner as well. Staff cases for diversion/prevention involvement and or to implement a safety service as needed. Expected to be a part of the CPI initial consultations and 2nd tier staffings. Also available to be included in impromptu staffing regarding present and impending danger plans. Be a critical part in the decision of what services are available and can be implemented to ensure a child/ children is able to be kept in their home safely. Attach themselves to a CPI case that has been identified as needing prevention services and assist CPI with gathering information from parents/ other providers that the family may have been involved with or is currently with to move case forward and keeping the children safe without ongoing case management. Act as the conduit between providers and families. They are the linkage of services and ensure that contact between the provider and family has occurred and they are engaged. Also obtain all monthly documentation from providers and scan into the FSFN file cabinet and or update notes in FSFN timely and continuously. Ensure that parents sign the FSS Acknowledgement forms upon initial contact. Completes funding author zation form/ Diversion Supervisor signs the funding authorization and Diversion Manager approves and signs off for final approval. Screens all referrals to community providers and programs in the community. Maintain and complete ongoing Diversion tracking logs (weekly and as needed) Participates in the agency strategic plan and quality improvement processes. Ability to safely and successfully perform essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state, and local standards, including meeting qualitative and quantitative productivity standards. Ability to maintain reasonably regular, punctual attendance consistent with ADA, FMLA and other federal, state, and local standards Ability to comply with all personnel policies and procedures We understand the importance that every provider, parent and employee plays in the success of our mission to protect and inspire every child, every day. An essential function of all employees is to provide excellent customer service by being professional and respectful in all interactions each and every day. It is also expected that all employees are timely and responsive in their communication with others. NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Duties in other counties as assigned. This list of functions is not intended to be exhaustive. The agency reserves the right to revise this job description as needed to comply with actual job requirements. QUALIFICATIONS: REQUIRED: Bachelors degree in social work or related area of study Related degrees include: human services, criminology, juvenile justice, psychology, sociology, counseling, special education, education, human development, child development, family development, marriage and family therapy, and nursing 2 years experience in child welfare services. State of Florida Child Welfare Certification (CWCM) PREFERRED: Masters Degree from an accredited college or university. SKILLS: REQUIRED: Must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite Conducts self in a professional manner with colleagues, peers, and clients. Demonstrates professional behavior toward clients consistent to the enhancement of the clients dignity and well-being. Upholds established policies and professional standards of conduct. Effective leadership and planning skills Excellent interpersonal and communication skills Must be capable of completing assignments with minimum guidance and supervision. Ability to objectively coach and mentor staff through complex and difficult issues Demonstrated ability to identify, prioritize, and execute tasks to meet deadlines. Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions Ability to analyze, integrate and report data Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality Ability to represent and promote positive and solution-oriented behaviors within their team and the organization. Demonstrate cultural and linguistic competence and sensitivity to population served Ability to travel SPECIAL CONDITIONS: Thorough Background Screening upon hire including FBI, FDLE, Local Law check, Employment Reference check, DMV check, Criminal Records check, Social Security Trace and Drug Screening. FDLE check will be run at least every 5 years. Travel- local: 10% per week, long-distance: 1% per month Attend at least 15 hours of in-service training annually PHYSICAL and MENTAL REQUIREMENTS: (N=Needed P=Preferred) Analyzing (N) Bending-neck (P) Bending-waist (P) Calculations (P), Carrying/Lifting (P)