Child Family Specialist I

Get to know us:

For over 100 years, Vista Del Mar Child & Family Services (VDM) has taken great pride in providing exceptional programs and services for children and families throughout LA County. VDM envisions a community where all children and families are equipped and prepared to live productive, fulfilling lives. We serve the most vulnerable in Los Angeles, many of whom have faced multi-generational inequities. Vista Del Mar is guided by core values of empowerment, equity, and excellence.

Culture:

At Vista Del Mar, our success is empowered by our staff, families, residents, and clients. We believe in the inclusion and liberation of marginalized communities, standing in unity for justice and recognizing long-standing systemic oppression. We acknowledge we are part of an unjust system and strongly advocate to change oppressive systems and the unconscious bias that affect staff, clients, and families in all communities. Vista is committed to developing a culture of healing, community care, and creating a sense of belonging. Our actions will be louder than our words.

Folks who are Black, Indigenous, people of color, LGBTQ+, of a marginalized gender, disabled, parents, are/have been system-impacted, are immigrants, and anyone who has experienced systemic oppression, and/or gender-based violence are encouraged to apply.

Mission:

Vista Del Mar provides a trauma-responsive continuum of services to empower children, youth, and families in Southern California to lead fulfilling lives.

The Wraparound Child Family Specialist (CFS) I provides direct services to children and families as identified in an individualized service plan and may function as a member of a Child and Family Team (CFT), utilizing a flexible, strengths-based approach in their work.

SALARY: $25.00 hr.

Qualifications Required:

To perform this job successfully, the applicant must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required; reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the

1. AA plus 1 year experience working with children and their families preferred, or an emphasis on social work/psychology providing direct service.
2. Requires skills engaging and working with parents as partners and working successfully with families from diverse ethnic and cultural groups.
3. Crisis management experience is helpful.
4. Must be self-directed efficient, use time-management skills, and be results-oriented.
5. Must function as a productive member of a service team and child/family teams, and maintain clear and appropriate boundaries with other members of the team(s).
6. Must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills.
7. Must be able to function independently.

Supervisory Responsibilities:     Assign work related to the child and family plan of care such as modeling interventions with specific children and identifying and orienting formal and informal resources related to the child and family plan of care.

Other Skills and Abilities:  Must have visual, physical, and technical ability to independently use a copier and a computer.

Age-Specific Requirements:  Knowledge of physical and emotional developmental stages for children ages 7-17.

Education:   AA Degree plus 1 years experience working with special needs children and families.

Experience:  2-3 years of previous related experience preferred.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Valid California driver’s license and a copy of DMV record.

Analytical Skills:  Assignments frequently involve use of judgment for which there may be no precedents. Must have excellent judgment as they need to use skills to assist children and families in times of crisis and/or crisis prevention/de-escalation.

On the Job Training:  Training time is 2–3 weeks and includes participation in specific Wraparound training curricula that includes Introduction & Engagement, Skill Building, Developing and Implementing the Child and Family Plan of Care and Role of the Child and Family Specialist.  In addition, new staff will shadow experienced staff in learning the unique aspects of the job.

Decisions and Judgement:  Involves crisis intervention; complaints and concerns from parents; consultation and outside agencies; issues of client safety.

Vista Del Mar’s Credentials:

Our nationally recognized clinical programs have been awarded a Gold Seal by the Joint Commission, the highest level of accreditation possible. In addition, our educational facilities are fully accredited through the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), and our graduate degree program is recognized worldwide for its high quality of instructions.

Equal Employment Statement

Vista Del Mar is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. Therefore, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Vista Del Mar will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations as part of this commitment.