Options Counseling and Family Services

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Family Builder/Independent Living Program (ILP) (Personal Services)



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Options Counseling and Family Services, founded in 1991 in Florence, Oregon, has since expanded to serve fourteen counties in western Oregon. Headquartered in Eugene, we provide quality mental health and family preservation services to diverse communities. Committed to supporting health, safety, and empowerment.

Benefits

Options offer these benefits to our full-time employees (full-time is any employee working 30 hours per week) company-paid health/vision and dental, long-term disability, and life insurance; for a full list of all benefits, please view our website: https://options.org/careers/benefits.
 

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they have every one of the qualifications as described. We are most interested in finding the best candidate and our hiring processes are centered on assessing candidates based on diverse experience. Please let us know if you have questions.

Family Builder General Description:

The Family Builder provides services to families in which children are at risk of out-of-home placement, children are reuniting with families after out-of-home placement, children are currently in out-of-home placement, and/or foster or adoptive families who have children experiencing disruptive placements. Provides skills training to adults, children, and adolescents to address safety concerns. Implements effective service plan in collaboration with ODHS caseworker and family members. Adheres to ODHS contract requirements. Ability to travel and transport clients to families homes and communities required*

Independent Living Program (ILP) Specialist General Description:

Provides training in independent living skills and access to community resources for youth aged 14 and over who are referred through ODHS/Child Welfare. Delivers in-home and group skills training and referrals to assist youth in gaining the skills and knowledge necessary to make a successful transition to self-sufficiency and adulthood. Works closely with the ODHS Child Welfare Case Workers, foster care providers, and the youth to assess skills, and develop and implement an effective treatment plan. Ability to travel and transport clients is required*

Schedule/Hours:

This position is anticipated to be full-time (40 hours/week). However, some weeks may have fewer scheduled hours. The actual hours worked may vary daily depending on the needs of the referring agency or individual client families. Some overtime may be required and approved by your supervisor in response to client needs, referrals, or other factors.

Minimum Qualifications:

Two years experience working with at-risk families within the last five year or an equivalent combination of education, training, and work experience. Effective working with families in which children have experienced abuse or neglect has occurred. Must have respectful, open, unbiased, accepting attitude toward clients and their families. Relate effectively with children, adolescents, parents, staff and the community. Pass a ODHS background check and/or fingerprinting. Maintain client confidentiality. Must have a valid Oregon drivers license, reliable transportation, and auto insurance.*

Preferred Qualifications:

Bachelors Degree in social work, psychology, or counseling. QMHA. Knowledge of family dynamics that may include sexual abuse, substance use, and intimate partner violence.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

50% - Direct Service

  • Help family members overcome barriers and identify strengths to meet the child(ren)s needs for safety, permanency, and well-being

  • Maintain and carry out all scheduled appointments

  • Collaborate with ODHS and follow the identified case plan

  • Utilize Motivational Interviewing, Wraparound, Collaborative Problem Solving, and other evidence-based practices

  • Refer client to supportive services to supplement services as appropriate

  • Work a flexible schedule to meet families needs and be available for crisis consultation

  • Provide interventions that are family-focused, culturally relevant, behavioral, goal-directed, and trauma-informed

  • Work a flexible schedule to meet families needs and be available for consultation

  • Provide change and safety services to children, adolescents, and families in their homes and communities

  • Assess for caregiver capacities as related to child safety and well-being

  • Conduct parent-child coaching and interaction sessions

  • Help caregivers improve diminished protective capacities

  • Schedule appointments that support the safety plan, which may include drop-in sessions

  • Provide a range of targeted services including parent education, communication skills, home management, budgeting, stress reduction, stabilization of home environment, and other change or safety services

  • Assist non-offending parents to identify and meet needs of child victims of sexual abuse and make referrals for counseling

  • Interview youth, foster parents, and ODHS Case Workers to obtain skill and education level, employment information, and other pertinent information

  • Assist youth to complete contract mandated life skills assessments and comprehensive transition plans

  • Schedule and facilitate ongoing one-on-one meetings with the youth

  • Counsel youth regarding foster care system, education, vocational training, job readiness, job search assistance programs, and health care access

  • Instruct youth in basic life skills such as budgeting, personal care, health and safety, pregnancy prevention and parenting awareness, substance abuse prevention, healthy relationships, and access to community resources

  • Coordinate and assist youth with accessing other independent living services including state housing subsidies

  • Assist the youth in developing connections with natural supports such as foster parents, teachers, relatives, mentors, and other dedicated adults

  • Facilitate, co-facilitate, or participate in regularly-held group youth sessions

  • Work with foster parents to encourage them in teaching skills to the youth and supporting the youths goals

  • Assist youth with registration and participation in youth-focused events

  • Attend youth-focused events with the youth in a chaperone capacity, for the duration of the event

  • Transport the youth as required

25% - Case Coordination

  • Maintain availability to caseworkers for response to crises, during working hours

  • Develop and maintain a knowledge of dynamics of high-risk families including substance abuse, sexual abuse and domestic violence

  • Coordinate case activities with Contract Supervisor, ODHS/Child Welfare, Juvenile Department, schools, and other community partners

  • Participate in Family Decision Meetings, Citizens Review Board, and Court hearings (with a valid subpoena)

  • Assist ODHS/Child Welfare caseworkers by providing consultations/courtesy assistance in evaluating the goals of intervention

  • Attend and actively participate in weekly group supervision meetings with supervisor and peers

  • Assist workers in coordinating return of children from foster care to the home of parents or relatives

  • Work a flexible schedule to meet youths needs, which may include evenings and/or weekends

  • Maintain client confidentiality

25% - Documentation

  • Monitor the youths progress in relation to the established services being provided

  • Provide reporting to ODHS as required

  • Complete required documentation within established ODHS deadlines

  • Report any potentially dangerous situations or safety plan violations to ODHS or law enforcement, including making required mandatory reports

  • Document all travel time, mileage, and other required work-related activities

  • Document all client and peripheral interactions related to the services

  • Maintain accurate and complete client records, including regular reports, treatment plans, service summaries, and memos to chart, within the electronic client record (ECR), to meet contract requirements

  • Develop a written record of appropriately used direct support funds for client family

Working Conditions:

  • May be required to work afternoon, evening, and/or weekend hours

  • Will travel locally and transport clients with own vehicle. Must be insured with liability insurance*

  • Extended periods of time sitting at work station updating client records, phone work, and client sessions

  • Provide services in challenging environments; families may be impacted by poverty

  • Ability to stand, work, and drive throughout the day

  • Mobility and dexterity sufficient to assist clients and handle required job-related functions and move about the facility

  • Ability to cope with clients who may use challenging or offensive language with potential for escalation to physical aggression

*Positions that require driving clients must maintain vehicle insurance as required by law, with a minimum of $100,000/$300,000/$100,000 personal auto liability coverage (proof of insurance will be required).

**Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

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