Family Group Conference Specialist

WHY WORK FOR DFPS?

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) is responsible for protecting the unprotected — children, elderly, and people with disabilities — from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. DFPS accomplishes this responsibility by employing over 12,000 workers who live up to the agency's Mission, Vision, & Values in service to the citizens of Texas. DFPS is not only a qualifying organization for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program but also offers excellent health benefits, special discounts on many products and services through the Discount Purchase Program, longevity pay, generous paid leave, access to the Wellness program, lifetime retirement annuity, Texa$aver 401(k) and 457 Programs under the Employees Retirement System of Texas.

**THIS POSTING IS ONLY OPEN TO CURRENT EMPLOYEES OF THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY & PROTECTIVE SERVICES**

Brief Job Description:

The position works under the direct supervision of the Family Group Decision Making Supervisor and functions as the coordinator and/or facilitator of all models of Family Group Decision Making, including Family Group Conferences (FGC), Circles of Support (COS), Permanency Conferences (PC), Transition Planning Meetings (TPM), and/or Family Team Meetings (FTM) in Region 10. FGDM is not a remote program. This is a Monday thru Friday 8am-5pm in-office position.
Work involves coordinating the receipt of referrals, orientation and preparation of family members, connecting with community resources and setting up the conferences. Work also involves facilitating conferences and collaborating with family and stakeholder participants in order to determine an appropriate action plan. The position tracks the provision and utilization of services available through local community resources and state agencies for families participating in family conferences. The Specialist ensures families are provided the opportunity to participate in crafting family plans that address child safety, permanency, and well-being issues. Responsibilities include the development of training and orientation materials for participants and coordinating with local community members in order to secure desired services. As needed and required, the Specialist coordinates & facilitates FGC and COS re-conferences, FGDM Steering Committee meetings, work-related CPS meetings, and case staffings. Additional duties include the identification and collection of necessary evaluative data, statistical reports as requested, budget management, and conference site coordination. The position collaborates with CPS regional staff, internal/external stakeholders, and administration to create a process that encourages the identification of family strengths to resolve family issues and achieve safety, permanency, and well-being for the involved children. The position interacts routinely with Family and Protective Services staff, attorneys, the Court, and the general public.
 

Essential Job Functions:

1. Serves as the meeting facilitator to lead participants (family members, CPS and stakeholders) in creating an appropriate action plan, utilizing mediation and facilitation skills. Ensures the plan developed by the family addresses the areas of child safety, permanency, and well-being through the identification of services provided through available family resources and community services. Reports the details of the developed plan to all participants. (30%)

2. Serves as the lead in the preparation and coordination of family participation in the process, and assures all proceedings occur in a manner that maintains the strength and integrity of the family group. Also, serves as a communicator to assist the family in understanding the concerns for child safety and reason for CPS involvement. (30%)
3. Works with the Family Group Decision Making Supervisor and other Family Services Specialists, and local advisory/steering committees in the development of services to respond to family needs that reduce family violence and increase family well-being. (10%)

4. Assists the FGDM Supervisor in the preparation of administrative reports, the collection of regional data associated with the FGDM practice to monitor performance outcomes and effectiveness. (10%)

5. In conjunction with the FGDM Supervisor, assists in creating protocols for the development of Family Group Decision Making within the targeted community, including the decision-making about the acceptance of a referral, the preparation of family members, and the appropriateness of the resulting family plan. (5%)

6. Assists in the review and evaluation of community services to identify issues and trends resulting from the family’s use of those services. Makes recommendations for improvements in services provided and in the Family Group Decision Making process to regional management and advisory/steering committees. (5%)

7. Performs other duties as assigned and required to maintain FGDM operations. (10%)

8. Promotes and demonstrates appropriate respect for cultural diversity among coworkers and all work-related contacts.

9. Attends work regularly in accordance with agency leave policy.

10. Has a reliable means of personal transportation.

11. Will be required to work the mandated number of CWOP shifts, per Region 08, as business needs indicate.

Knowledge Skills Abilities:

• In depth knowledge of CPS program policies and procedures, applicable laws and regulations
• Skill in leading others
• Skill in solving problems.
• Skill in organizing and managing time.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with agency staff at all levels and with community groups.
• Skill in effective verbal and written communication.
• Ability to develop work teams.
• Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work with volunteers, individuals and groups from diverse populations.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications: 

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

• Graduation from high school or equivalent and
• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university and,
• Eight years full-time consultative, supervisory, managerial, social service, professional or technical work which must include: analysis of work problems having an administrative aspect and interpretation of complex written material; or planning, organizing, and coordinating requirements for support services or program operations where a wide range of demands are involved, including interpretation of complex written material and eight years of CPS experience.

Acceptable Substitutions

• One additional year of full-time consultative, supervisory, managerial, social service, professional or technical work which must include:  analysis of work problems having an administrative aspect and interpretation of complex written material; or planning, organizing, and coordinating requirements for support services or program operations where a wide range of demands are involved, including interpretation of complex written material or CPS experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required education, with a maximum substitution of four years.
• Graduate Degree may be substituted for the required experience, with a maximum substitution of two years.

Additional Information:

Bilingual English/Spanish preferred

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Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions. You may also contact the DFPS Military Liaison at dfpsmilvets@dfps.texas.gov with additional questions.

Applicants selected for hire must pass a background check and if applicable a driver’s record check.

As a state agency, DFPS is required by Texas Administrative Code (TAC 206 and 213) to ensure all Electronic Information Resources (EIR) follow accessibility standards. The staff must be familiar with the WCAG 2.1 AA and Section 508 to create accessible content including but not limited to; Microsoft Office documents, Adobe PDFs, webpages, software, training guides, video, and audio files. 

DFPS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Employees must provide documentation to DFPS to show their identity and authorization to work in the US. Please review the following link for authorized documents: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents .

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS/DFPS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS/DFPS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.