CLASS CODE: 5990
PAY GRADE: 019

CLASS TITLE:FAMILY SERVICES COUNSELOR

ALLOCATION FACTOR(S)

This is professional work protecting children and working with families who may have had allegations of abuse, neglect, and/or abandonment made about them. Services may be provided through one or more of the following areas: protective supervision, adoptions, foster care services, licensing of child care facilities. The employee(s) allocated to position(s) in this class may have collateral duties such as contract management and maximization of Federal funds.

EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED:

(Note: The examples of work as listed in this class specification are not necessarily descriptive of any one position in the class. The omission of specific statements does not preclude management from assigning specific duties not listed herein if such duties are a logical assignment to the position. Examples of work performed are not to be used for allocation purposes.)

  • Conducts child safety assessments.
  • Provides counseling for children and families with allegations of abuse, neglect and/or maltreatment.
  • Performs ongoing assessments.
  • Provides and/or refers families to services, understands and uses information from service providers, psychological reports and psychosocial evaluations.
  • Conducts diligent searches for parents and/or relatives.
  • Facilitates family contact visits for children in out-of-home placements.
  • Opens, maintains and closes files related to the families being served.
  • Develops, assesses and implements current and accurate case plans with families.
  • Provides necessary documents to file petitions.
  • Develops and presents status reports to court authorities.
  • Assesses family for federal funding eligibility.
  • Arranges for or provides transportation to clients.
  • Schedules and gathers information for and participates in case staffings.
  • Provides input into various vouchering systems.
  • Explains child protection and other programs to children and families.
  • Explains rights and responsibilities to children and family members.
  • Provides support to foster homes and relative placements.
  • Provides post placement planning and services.
  • Assists child in developing a life book, and making sure it stays with the child if his or her placement changes.
  • Performs on-call duties.
  • Submits information to the Adoption Registry and Exchange.
  • Makes recommendations for adoptive placements and negotiates subsidy payments.
  • Reports indications of abuse, neglect and/or abandonment to Florida Abuse Hotline.
  • Performs self and peer reviews.
  • Prepares child and family for adoptive placement.
  • Completes relative, non-relative and adoptive home studies.
  • Completes foster home initial licensing studies and relicensing studies.
  • Conducts required training for shelter/foster homes.
  • Makes recommendations regarding renewal and suspension of licenses.
  • Completes child-care and child-placement agency providers licensing and relicensing studies.
  • Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

(Note: The knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) identified in this class specification represent those needed to perform the duties of this class. Additional knowledge, skills and abilities may be applicable for individual positions in the employing agency.)

  • Knowledge of theories and practice in child protection and family support.
  • Knowledge of professional ethics relating to child protection and counseling.
  • Knowledge of family-centered interviewing and counseling techniques.
  • Skill in considering child development in guiding placement of children.
  • Skill in employing family-centered practice.
  • Skill in organizing community resources to assist families.
  • Ability to recognize indicators of abuse and neglect.
  • Ability to conduct risk and safety investigations.
  • Ability to complete assessments and develop plans with children and families.
  • Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
  • Ability to actively listen to others.
  • Ability to communicate effectively.
  • Ability to maintain well-executed case files.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with children, family members, co-workers and community partners.
  • Ability to use computer systems.
  • Ability to review compliance of foster care providers' licensed capacity.
  • Ability to interact appropriately with families, community resources, service providers and other department professionals.
  • Ability to track data for maximization of Federal funds earned by the state.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

  • A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and attainment of a passing score on the basic skills Introduction to Child Protection Written Assessment.

EFFECTIVE:

5/10/2002

HISTORY:

06/03/1999

11/28/1997