Behavioral Specialist - Refugee Foster Care; Bi-lingual (English/Spanish) Details

Behavioral Specialist - Refugee Foster Care; Bi-lingual (English/Spanish)

Bethany Christian Services - Kalamazoo, MI

Employment Type : Full-Time

Behavioral Specialist - Refugee Foster Care; Bi-lingual (English/Spanish)

Requisition #: req3438

Location: Paw Paw, MI

Hours: Part-time (20 hours/week)

Bethany Christian Services strengthens and equips families to be the answer for vulnerable children, both in local communities and around the globe. We do this by protecting children, empowering youth, and strengthening families through quality social services. Thousands of children are in need of the support and safety that comes from being part of a family. Bethany is on the front line of providing solutions.

As a Refugee Long Term Foster Care Behavioral Specialist, you will be responsible for providing assessments, intervention planning, crisis interventions, and trainings while serving as a member of the treatment team. This individual is mainly responsible for engaging directly with children and families in the treatment foster care program, while serving in a clinical capacity.

• Effectively utilize CAFAS and other identified assessment tools to assess the level of necessary behavioral support for all incoming treatment foster youth;
• Complete assessments for referred youth in a timely manner;
• Provide written reports that clearly illustrate the results of assessment tools;
• Develop and implement a child specific behavior contract and provide the appropriate data monitoring tools based on the assessed needs;
• Conduct weekly meetings with the child and foster parent, as appropriate, to address concerns and review youth’s progress;
• Work closely with the case manager and therapist regarding the child’s progress while in the program;
• Attend monthly treatment team meetings and participate in crisis planning and intervention, in partnership with the assigned case manager for referred youth;
• May assist in the ongoing training of foster parents in TCI techniques and trauma expertise;
• Assist in the coordination and implementation of monthly foster parent support group;
• Develop resources for children and foster parents specific to the identified needs;
• Provide transportation for clients, as needed;
• Complete all standard annual training and the required 24 hours trauma training annually;
• Complete other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Social Work or related field of study from an accredited college;
• Have a broad knowledge of basic principles, concepts, and methodology of social work as acquired through a Bachelor’s level degree;
• At least one (1) year of experience working in a child and family welfare agency;
• Bi-lingual English and Spanish;
• Demonstrated ability to complete assessments, implement treatment plans, goals, and behavioral interventions to clients who have experienced trauma;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Must be reliable with time sensitive deadlines and tasks;
• Exercise a high level of confidentiality;
• Must possess the ability to engage, and communicate effectively with a diverse group of individuals;
• Demonstrated cross-cultural sensitivity;
• Work well under pressure and adaptable to change;
• Must have an ability to work flexible work hours to include some evenings and weekends;
• Active motor vehicle license and a reliable automobile with adequate insurance coverage;
• Pass a criminal history screen, including state and local child protection agency registries;
• Subscription to and integration of the agency Statement of Faith, Mission Statement, and Cultural Diversity Commitment.

We value and embrace the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion; our culture is strengthened and our workplace is more dynamic. We are a global organization with multicultural staff, clients and stakeholders, so we strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and where everyone feels empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work. More work remains, but we are deeply committed to honestly acknowledging and addressing the impacts of race and racism throughout the organization. This work can be uncomfortable and even painful, but we believe that the greatest challenges bear the greatest rewards.

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