Child Safety Conference Facilitator

BILINGUAL CHILD SAFETY CONFERENCE FACILITATOR

Every Kid Counts Child Safety Conference Facilitator (CSCF) is responsible for planning, coordinating, and conducting Child Safety Conferences (CSC) for families whose children are at high risk for entering foster care in Westchester County or for families whose children have entered foster care. 

The Child Safety Conference facilitator will facilitate and lead the process for engaging families, Child Welfare staff, community members, and service providers using the Team Decision Making model. The Team Decision Making (TDM) is a collaborative practice used by child welfare agencies in critical decisions related to safety and risk.   The goal of the TDM’s collaborative method is to discuss safety threats, giving everyone at the table an opportunity to express their concerns for harm or danger, recognize the family’s strengths and protective factors, and create a consensus-based plan and recommendations with everyone’s input to mitigate harm and increase safety for the child. 

The core element of the CSC is that a TDM meeting is to be held prior to any movement of a child from his/her home or in cases of imminent risk the next day.

Full time position, $75,000.00.  Some nights may be required.

Other Duties & Responsibilities (but not limited to):

• Receive CSC referrals from Westchester County DSS Child Welfare Division, act in a timely manner to immediately schedule, plan for and invite all appropriate participants to the Child Safety Conference.
• Prepare all participants for the Child Safety Conference
• Lead conference participants in the group process and become involved in the discussion needed to ensure the best decision in regards to the safety and well-being of the children.
• Direct the group process and structure of the conference.
• Create, in partnership with families and other participants, a safety plan that reflects the family’s strengths and incorporates community resources and addresses the safety, behavioral, educational, psychological and permanency needs of children
• Facilitate discussion of safety and permanency
• Effectively manages conflict and strong emotions as they arise by utilizing Conflict Management skills.
• Accurately record Safety Conference information and decisions on designated forms and provide a copy of the report to all conference participants in a timely manner.
• Promote an inclusive, safe and supportive environment where all participants will be assured that they can and will be heard.
• Displays good knowledge of cultural, socio-economic and psychosocial issues.
• Keeps necessary records, provides reports, data, statistical information to Family Ties and DSS as required.
• Maintain contact and consults with Westchester DSS, agency personnel and service providers as needed.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree required in Social Work or a related field.
• Language fluency is required in Spanish/English
• Knowledge of the child welfare system is preferred, but mental health or juvenile justice settings will be considered.
• Experience working with high-risk families who present with multiple complex issues; ability to sort out safety and risk concerns.
• Good assessment skills.
• Trained in Family Team Meetings/Safety Conferences preferred.
• Ability to work independently, as well as contribute to a team.
• Strong clinical, organizational and administrative skills with ability to manage multiple assignments.
• Excellent engagement, interpersonal/communication, and conflict resolution skills.
• Group facilitation experience/skills
• Good Judgement.
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• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Ability to be flexible, including travel and scheduling of meetings to meet needs of families and Child Welfare.
• Comfortably uses computer applications or other automated systems in performing work assignments in both English and Spanish.
• Knowledge of the Zoom application.
• Satisfactory clearances in Fingerprinting and Child Abuse Registry database.
• Valid driver’s license and car required
• Proof of COVID Vaccination

Family Ties of Westchester is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We offer a generous benefits package with a professional and friendly working environment.