Behavior Support Specialist

Program Overview:  

Youth Villages’ Treatment Foster Care program provides evidence-based, intensive in-home treatment for youth in foster care while supporting foster parents and advocating for the best interests of each youth. The program serves children and adolescents (ages 0 to18) who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect, and may have behavioral and mental health needs.  

Our parent-centered treatment model promotes positive change across home, school, community, and peer environments – all while working diligently to achieve family reunification whenever possible or finding permanency through adoption. Foster families and youth receive comprehensive support through weekly in-person sessions and access to 24/7 on-call support from highly trained, trauma-informed Foster Care Specialists.    

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:  

The Behavior Support Specialist: 

• Works closely with other team members to provide holistic support to youth and foster parents 

• Provides behavioral support to youth in foster care 

• Accompanies and assists with transportation including but not limited to: appointments, court hearings, school, transportation to different treatment facilities, and family visitations 

• Utilizes trauma-informed approaches, behavior intervention strategies, and de-escalation techniques to manage challenging behaviors  

• Helps foster parents implement behavior strategies through teaching and demonstrating parenting skills and/or safety plans as guided by the clinical team 

• Provides behavioral observations of youth in foster care and reports findings to clinical team 

• Documents observations, incidents, and daily notes accurately and timely 

• Participates in team meetings, case reviews, and planning sessions as needed 

• Supervises family visitation sessions 

• Ensures child safety and compliance with organizational and licensing requirements during all activities 

• Has strong assessment and observation skills to recognize and pick up on behavioral and safety trends 

• Provides professional communication and positive customer service with team members and external customers 

• Communicates effectively and exchanges information with clients and families regarding their therapy and care 

• Completes accurate and timely documentation in an electronic medical record system (EMR) 

• Performs other duties as assigned 

Additional Information:  

• Schedule is flexible and non-traditional as it is based around the availability of youth and families served.  

• Applicants must possess a current, valid driver’s license, an automobile for work purposes, and proof of auto insurance. 

• Community-based staff will be reimbursed for applicable mileage. 

Salary:

$23/hour

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree in a social services discipline (preferred) 

  • Degrees that can be considered include: social work, drug and alcohol education or counseling, psychology, criminal justice, guidance counseling, or marriage and family therapy (others subject to review 

• High School diploma or equivalent (required) 

• Minimum 1 year of experience working with children, youth, or families in a professional or volunteer setting (required) 

• Experience working in foster care, behavioral health, or school-based settings (preferred) 

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail  

• Excellent written, verbal, and oral skills  

• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously  

• Basic computer and office machinery knowledge  

• Ability to maintain a flexible schedule