Child and Family Services Specialist- (Foster Care Emphasis)

The work we do matters!

Hiring Agency:

Health & Human Services - Agency 25

Location:

Kearney NE

Hiring Rate:

$21.355

Job Posting:

JR2025-Child and Family Services Specialist- (Foster Care Emphasis) (Open)

Applications No Longer Accepted On (If no date is displayed job is posted as open until closed):

0

Job Description:

Comprehensive Foster Care (CFC) is being developed to increase the availability of quality placement options for youth in Nebraskas foster care system. It is designed as a community-based stabilization service for youth in need of a highly structured environment with dedicated caregivers in a family setting. This service provides an increased level of intervention and support beyond what is available through traditional foster care. The CFC team will recruit train and support caregivers who have professional skills and experience working with youth who have high acuity needs. Participants in the CFC program will be matched with highly skilled caregivers equipped to support their unique needs.
You have the passion; we have the opportunities lets make a difference for Nebraskans!
The CFC Specialist will play a crucial role in supporting CFC foster homes and participants through providing support training guidance and case management specific to the participants needs.
July 1 2025 wages will increase to $21.836 for Training and $25.607 after Training.
Numerous internal promotion opportunities are available. Start your career with Nebraska today!

Duties/Examples of Work:

Advocate for CFC foster families and CFC participants

Respect the individuality of each child and family served.

Respect each childs family and culture

Implement family-centered practice principles into case management to ensure the inclusion of children and families in the decision-making processes that impact their lives

Promote normalcy in the lives of children in care

Understand and commit to utilizing evidence-based practices that focus on least-restrictive and family-centered approaches

Provides in-person support and guidance to up to 10 CFC foster families and participants Write clear concise and descriptive reports in a timely manner that will be shared with legal entities and the court system

Develops customized support plans for each placement with an emphasis on helping participants meet goals de-escalation and crisis intervention.

Works closely with the case management team schools therapist and other professionals to work towards permanency

Collaborates with internal/external stakeholders and the community to promote and recruit Comprehensive Foster Care providers and many other duties as required.

Requirements / Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications: A bachelors degree in social work psychology sociology counseling human development mental health care education criminal justice or other related fields. Consideration will be given to applicants who are enrolled in the final semester of their bachelors degree. Promotion to a Child and Family Services Specialist is contingent on successfully completing degree requirements and required training.

Preferred Qualifications: Experience in child welfare juvenile justice and/or case management experience and experience in supporting foster parents and youth with complex needs in foster care. Prefer training in crisis intervention or de-escalation techniques. Experience implementing wraparound services or multi-disciplinary team collaboration.

Other: Valid Drivers license is required.

• Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

  Knowledge of the principles and practices of social work psychology sociology counseling human development mental health education criminal justice or related area of the applied social/behavioral sciences; the principles and processes of direct case management; family life issues and dynamics; community services; child adolescent and adult behavior; and basic understanding of juvenile delinquent behavior and vulnerable adult issues.

  Skill in interviewing customers to collect and elicit essential information and assess customer needs and progress; openly and honestly discussing concerns with others in a non-judgmental way; using a keyboard.

  Ability to: learn the importance of commitment to individuals and families.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive package of pay benefits paid time off retirement and professional development opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life. Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation.

Check out all that the State of Nebraska has to offer! Benefit eligibility may vary by position agency and employment status. For more information on benefits please visit: Opportunity Statement

The State of Nebraska values our teammates as well as a supportive environment that strives to promote diversity inclusion and belonging. We recruit hire train and promote in all job classifications and at all levels without regard to race color religion sex. age national origin disability marital status or genetics.

Current employees of the State of Nebraska should NOT apply on this external career. Instead go to Workday and access the Jobs Hub - Internal Apply app from your home landing page.