Social Services Specialist Jobs in Kentucky

For over 35 years, Youth Villages has transformed the lives of children and families nationwide through innovative, research-based programs focused on preserving and restoring families.

As a national leader in children’s mental and behavioral health, we serve more than 47,000 youth, young people, and their families annually across 29 states and Washington, D.C. Our proven treatment models drive long-term success in child welfare, juvenile justice, and mental health systems. At Youth Villages, we do what works — partnering with others to expand our impact and advocate for meaningful, lasting change.

We're seeking purpose-driven individuals who are passionate about making a difference. With a dedicated team of more than 5,000 staff, Youth Villages is committed to investing in and supporting our employees by offering opportunities to build a fulfilling career through professional growth, personal development, and a mission that matters— helping children and families live successfully.

Program Overview:

Intercept®, developed by Youth Villages, is an evidence-based intensive, in-home program that focuses on keeping families together by preventing out-of-home placements or facilitating reunification after such placements, including foster care, residential treatment facilities, hospitalization, or juvenile detention centers. It is one of the first programs to receive the well-supported designation from Title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse developed in accordance with the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) having been shown to reduce out-of-home placements and accelerate permanency for children.

This program serves youth from birth to age 18 who are facing serious emotional or behavioral challenges or have experienced trauma, such as abuse or neglect. Services are provided by highly trained Family Intervention Specialists directly in the family’s home and community–Intercept® is not an office-based program.

Intercept provides intensive, strength-based support tailored to each family’s unique needs, ultimately helping them achieve lasting change through evidence-based mental health interventions, along with the development of new parenting and communication skills.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The Family Intervention Specialist:

• Carries a caseload of 4 to 6 families
• Holds individual and family sessions with each family 3 times a week, scheduled at the convenience of the families
• Conducts ongoing assessment of youth to determine their needs from a strength-focused, solution-based perspective
• Attends 3 weekly meetings (individual, team, and clinical consultation) for professional development and quarterly booster trainings to enhance clinical skills
• Drives up to 60 to 80 miles to meet with families in their homes and communities (additional travel may be required)
• Collaborates with other providers, case workers, and courts to formulate a collaborative treatment plan
• Provides on-call crisis support to the youth and family (schedules vary by location)
• 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.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a social services discipline (preferred)

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

• 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)

• Experience working with at-risk youth and/or families in a volunteer, internship, or paid position (preferred)

• Clinical experience (preferred)
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent written, verbal, and oral skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• Basic computer knowledge
• Ability to maintain a flexible schedule

Youth Villages Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Prescription Drug Coverage and Vision
• 401(k)

• Time off:

• • 2 week paid vacation (full-time) / 1 week paid vacation (part-time)
• 12 paid sick days per year

• 11 paid holidays

• Paid Parental Leave

• Mileage & Cell Phone Reimbursement (when applicable)
• Tuition reimbursement and licensure supervision
• Growth & development through continuous training
• Clinical and administrative advancement opportunities

Benefits are excluded for variable status employees.

Youth Villages is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Youth Villages is committed to not only advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace but also in our work with children and young adults. We know that children, families and young people of color can face inequity in child welfare and justice systems, and we train our employees to build the skills they need to work with the communities that we serve, as well as, other employees from different cultures and backgrounds. Youth Villages is opposed to racism in any of its forms and is committed to inclusion, equity, and diversity. We believe that respect for each other is crucial in the work that we do each day.