Prevention Family Specialist - Schenectady Intensive Prevention Program (5864)

The Prevention Family Specialist's goal is to preserve the family unit by providing supportive casework counseling in the home and empower parents with tools and resources to ensure children's safety, well-being and permanency while providing advocacy to ensure quality services.

The Schenectady County Intensive Prevention Program is a trauma-informed, strength-based, family-focused program dedicated to preventing out-of-home placement and supporting successful reunification for youth and families involved in the child welfare system.Family Specialists work closely with parents and caregivers to achieve court-ordered and case plan goals, strengthen parenting skills, improve family relationships, and address barriers that impact family stability. Services include parenting education, referrals to mental health and substance use treatment, support with housing and basic needs, coordination with schools and healthcare providers, transportation assistance, and connections to community resources. For families involved in kinship care, foster care, or congregate care placements, staff provide reunification support, visitation coaching, and ongoing services to help prevent future placements.