This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit, charitable organization committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Supportive Visitation Specialist at The YMCA of Greater Monmouth County intentionally fosters a cause-centered culture that is welcoming, genuine, hopeful, nurturing, and determined. 

Responsible for supporting parent-child visitation for families in their homes or communities; completing and updating visitation plans; documenting visits and completing reports; facilitating parent debriefings before and after visits and visitation planning meetings; transporting children and/or parents, as needed; communicating with children, parents, relatives, resource parents, DCP&P, and/ or other stakeholders by phone and in person; attending various meetings and trainings; and assessing families’ service needs and linking them to appropriate community providers.

ABOUT SUPPORTIVE VISTATION SERVICES (SVS): Parent-child visitation services for CP&P- involved families with children in out-of-home placement to maintain and strengthen familial interactions and facilitate permanency. Services are provided in the least restrictive setting that maintains safety along a continuum of supervision based on family need. Core activities include ongoing assessment, visitation, aftercare (post-reunification support), transportation and documentation.

This position is contingent upon the availability of grant funding.

Engaging

• Initiates and maintains ongoing communication with families in a culturally sensitive manner utilizing a family's preferred language taking into consideration a family's faith and culture.
• Schedules and conducts visits in the least-restrictive, most home-like location (the first preference being within the family's home) while ensuring the safety of the children.
• Ensures the environment for parent-child contact is safe, non-traumatizing, and promotes healthy attachment.
• Uses strengths-based, solutions-focused, family centered, trauma informed strategies to elicit family input.
• Initiates and maintains ongoing communication with DCP&P, other providers, and supports.

Assessing

• Uses a process to gather information which includes reviewing collateral information and inquiring about family's natural supports.
• Completes required assessment tools including but not limited to bio-psychological assessments, Rose Wentz Matrix and SVS Caregiver Surveys and documents contacts with families in agency's progress notes and DCP&P contact sheets.
• Creates a visitation plan with active familial involvement and updates the plan at regular intervals.

Active Listening

• Creates an environment that empowers family members, including parents, children, and caregivers to communicate their goals and
• Utilizes various interviewing and/or communication techniques in a culturally competent manner.
• Recognizes non-verbal communication and maintains good eye contact and posture.

Teaming

• Advocates for parents/families as necessary and supports them in advocating for
• Links the family to community resources and formal and informal supports and coordinates with DCP&P.
• Collaborates with and shares relevant information with DCP&P staff, other providers, and supports.
• Facilities visit planning meetings & participates in other relevant meetings

Coaching

• Enhances parental skills by goal setting, modeling, mentoring, reinforcement and feedback and reflection through a trauma-informed perspective.
• Prepares for each visit with caregivers reviewing goals and expectations and encouraging them to be the lead in visit planning.
• Debriefs with caregivers after each visit to allow for processing and self-reflection and discussion of strengths and challenges.

Operational

• Contact referral source and client within 2 business days of receipt of referral.
• Carry a caseload of 3 visit hours and 1 transport hours per day. Part-time staff will conduct a prorated number of transportation and visit hours per week based on hours worked.
• Available a minimum of 3 evenings per week.
• Establish visit parameters with all parties involved.
• Provide transportation to family members who require it as per caseworker.
• Supervisor visits according to level of supervision required by caseworker, the exception being emergency bathroom breaks.
• Conduct the required number of supervised visits.
• Document activity and interaction between family members during visits and provide copies to caseworkers within 5 business days of visit.
• Complete program paperwork in a timely manner including end-of-month paperwork, weekly schedules, vehicle log/maintenance, expense forms, and evaluation forms.
• Complete all record keeping according to COA and DCF standards.
• Compile and transmit all required progress reports and termination summaries.
• Attend and participate in weekly team meetings. Attend all mandatory training.
• Participate in all DCF and YMCA meetings.
• Maintain a safe driving record.
• Report any abuse/concern of abuse immediately to a live person at DCP&P or police.
• Abide by proper car seat laws, rules and regulations.
• Ensure assigned vehicles have routine maintenance, updated registration and insurance.
• Contribute time and effort towards a Strong Kids activity
• Demonstrate proficiency in the use of the Electronic Health Record.

• Valid NJ Driver’s License and clean driver’s abstract.
• Minimum of 1 year’s experience with children and families, particularly families involved with the child welfare system.
• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Counseling or related field.
• YMCA Team Leader certification preferred.
• Knowledge of trauma and effect on children and families.
• Experience/willingness to work with culturally diverse populations.
• Skills in problem analysis and problem resolution at both a strategic and functional level.
• Ability to communicate effectively.