1. family and parenting

Family Engagement Specialist
Job Announcement
Job Title:
Family Engagement Specialist
Employer:
Denver Indian Family Resource Center (DIFRC)
Location:
7596 W Jewell Avenue, Suite 305
Lakewood, CO 80232
Phone:
(720) 500-1020
Website:
www.difrc.org
Executive Director: Dennis Swain
Our Mission:
To strengthen vulnerable American Indian/Alaska Native children and families
through collaborative and culturally responsive services
Our Vision:
Generations of healthy and strong American Indian/Alaska Native children and
families
Description:
The Family Engagement Specialist (FES) is responsible for the engagement,
intake, assessment, and case management of families seeking services from the
Denver Indian Family Resource Center (DIFRC). The FES contributes to the
positive adjustment and development of families by providing trauma-informed
and strength-based services to meet the needs and goals of each family. Services
include family engagement, direct intervention, intensive home-based services,
assistance with service navigation, advocacy on behalf of children’s permanency,
and collaboration with partner agencies to meet the specific needs of each
family. The FES assists families in the advancement of their life and parenting
skills and supports families to attain their goals using a culturally-responsive
approach. This position reports directly to the DIFRC’s Clinical Supervisor and
receives additional task supervision through DIFRC’s Project Supervisor.
Responsibilities:
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Carries a caseload of 10 to 15 families that are at-risk for, or are currently
involved with, the child welfare system.
Performs an intake process, including the use of evidence-based assessments,
to determine the strengths and needs of each assigned family.
Completes ongoing assessments, case management family plans, and
evaluations with each family in a timely manner.
Administers assessments in accordance with DIFRC’s Service Delivery
Model.
Attends and advocates for children’s permanency at family team meetings,
individual educational planning meetings, and other collaborative meetings.
Testifies in court as to case management services and presents
recommendations for positive family outcomes.
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Interfaces regularly with external partners including county caseworkers,
guardian ad litems, and tribal liaisons regarding child well-being,
permanency, and case planning.
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Coordinates with the DIFRC Team and other service providers to plan
appropriate services and service delivery.
Promotes positive outcomes through supportive relationships, and clientdriven, strength-based interventions.
Provides advocacy and cultural perspectives in the form of ICWA “active
efforts” on behalf of families to collaborators, service providers, and judicial
systems.
Maintains case records, including required evaluation components, and
prepares necessary reports; have strong written/oral communication skills.
Abides by the National Association of Social Worker’s Code of Ethics,
which includes maintaining appropriate professional boundaries with
families and confidentiality.
Participates in Clinical Team staff meetings, weekly individual supervision,
and additional agency meetings.
Completes other duties, special projects, and training as directed by the
Clinical Supervisor and Project Supervisor.
Contributes to the professional reputation of the agency.
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Required
Qualifications:
Family Engagement Specialist I
 Bachelor’s degree from accredited college or university with major in one of
the following disciplines: social work, social welfare, human development or
other degree with a focus on individuals, families, groups, and communities;
OR
 Minimum eight years’ experience performing a broad range of tasks within a
social service, non-profit, or child development agency providing direct
services to children, youth, or their families.
Family Engagement Specialist II
 Master’s degree from accredited college or university with major in one of
the following disciplines: social work, social welfare, human development or
other degree with a focus on individuals, families, groups, and communities;
OR
 Bachelor’s degree from accredited college or university with major in one of
the following disciplines: social work, social welfare, human development or
other degree with a focus on individuals, families, groups, and communities
plus 4 years of related work experience.
Family Engagement Specialist III
 Master’s degree from accredited college or university with major in one of
the following disciplines: social work, social welfare, human development or
other degree with a focus on individuals, families, groups, and communities
plus two year of related work experience directly with American
Indian/Alaska Native families; OR
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Bachelor’s degree from accredited college or university with major in one of
the following disciplines: social work, social welfare, human development or
other degree with a focus on individuals, families, groups, and communities
plus 8 years of related work experience with a minimum of 2 years of related
work experience directly with American Indian/Alaska Native families.
A minimum of one year of previous experience providing supervision to staff
in the field of social work.
All Candidates
 Must possess extensive knowledge of American Indian/Alaska Native
cultures, the Indian Child Welfare Act, and have experience working with
Native communities.
 Proven organization skills.
 Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
 Strong computer skills in navigating Windows 7 and using Microsoft Office
Suite, particularly Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel.
Other Requirements:
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The candidate will successfully pass a pre-employment criminal background
check.
Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and insurance.
Type:
Full-Time
Salary & Benefits:
Benefits package for this position is competitive with other human service
agencies in Colorado.
Instructions
& Deadline:
To apply: Please send electronically your letter of interest and resume to
[email protected] no later than May 29, 2015 at 5:00pm. Please list subject
as “Family Engagement Specialist”. Phone calls, walk-ins, standard mail,
incomplete submissions, and/or faxed applications will NOT be considered.