Family Engagement Specialist

About Us:

Sasha Bruce Youthwork (SBY) is the leading provider of homeless youth services in the DC Region. Through the holistic integration of its Pillars of Opportunity Sasha Bruce is able to provide safe homes life skills and workforce development to meet the unique needs of homeless youth. For more than 45 years Sasha Bruce has implemented innovative interventions aimed at ending youth homelessness in the DC region. Today the programs in DC and Prince Georges County MD reach over 6500 runaway homeless abused and neglected youth and their families.

This is a great opportunity to work with a focused mission-oriented organization that has a kind and caring work environment and makes a difference in our community every addition to competitive pay we offer health dental and vision benefits life insurance 12 paid holidays vacation sick and maternity/paternity leave as well as a 403(B) plan.

About Family Strengthening Program (FSP):

The Family Strengthening Program provides community-based counseling and case management to minors on the missing persons list as well as young people ages 16-24 who may be at risk of housing instability. The goal is to increase family strength and stability and decrease family conflict behaviors by improving youth runaway behaviors. The program does this through improving communication conflict resolution and coping skills of family members. It is meant to last 90 days with up to 90 days of follow-up support.

Job Summary:

The Family Engagement Specialist is responsible for providing direct counseling services and support to youth and their families served at Bruce House. This support extends into the community to sustain positive family relationships and reunification of families in crisis. The Family Engagement Specialist works in collaboration with Bruce House staff Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and the Department of Human Service (DHS) staff to provide specialized services to youth identified by MPD and/or Sasha Bruce as missing.

Reporting to the FSP Program Manager this is a full time exempt level position with non-traditional hours to include evenings and weekends.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Performs crisis intervention/stabilization work with youth and families using a strengths competency-based framework.

Completes clinical assessment with youth and family to identify risks and strengths and develop individual treatment plan.

Conducts individual and family counseling sessions to strengthen connections and identify capacities in families.

Engages youth and family participation in services through assertive outreach and demonstrated flexibility to client needs.

Conducts community-based home visits school visits and collateral visits to meet and conduct case management and crisis stabilization sessions.

Collaborates with Bruce House treatment team to provide coordination of services and aftercare for youth and families in need of group home respite care.

Provides documentation case notes psycho-social assessments court reports etc. with a high level of accuracy and proficiency.

Facilitates therapeutic groups with youth and families.

Connects youth and families to community resources for ongoing support such as mental health counseling substance abuse prevention sex education mentoring etc.

Liaisons with DHS and other service agencies and participates in case conferences.

Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualification:

A bachelors degree in psychology social work or human services required. A masters degree is preferred.

Experience working with youth teens and families dealing with trauma crisis and community stress.

Adaptability and persistence to meet the changing needs of families and identify capacities and strengths in challenging situations.

Experienced proficiency of Microsoft Office (Word Excel Outlook etc.) Google Mail and calendar and Adobe. Experience with ADP a plus.

Great work ethic excellent time management efficiency problem solving and customer service skills.

Expert data entry and database management skills.

Must possess a valid drivers license and maintain a good driving record.

Possess good organizational skills the ability to multitask maintain confidentiality and be detailed oriented.

Ability to work extra hours attend meetings/training when needed.

Must have a commitment to ending youth homelessness racial equity inclusion and issues central to Sasha Bruce Youthworks mission.

Sasha Bruce Youthwork Inc. is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion gender gender identity or expression sexual orientation national origin genetics disability age or veteran status. Sasha Bruce Youthwork Inc. is also committed to comply with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.