What are the responsibilities and job description for the Family Counselor position at Families First of Virginia?
Company Description Families First of Virginia provides therapeutic foster care services to children and youth under 21, welcoming individuals of all backgrounds and abilities when matched with appropriate foster homes. The organization’s philosophy centers on the belief that children heal from trauma in safe, stable, and committed homes, with parents serving as the primary catalysts for change and growth. Services focus on both youth and foster families through a Family Focused Treatment approach that empowers parents and caregivers. Families First of Virginia offers intensive case management to reduce the number of service providers involved, helping stabilize foster homes and maintain placements. The agency is dedicated to decreasing the time children spend in foster care and promoting lasting permanency.
Role Description This is a full-time, on-site Family Counselor role based in Virginia Beach, VA. The Family Counselor will provide therapeutic counseling and family therapy to children and caregivers in therapeutic foster care settings, using a family-focused, trauma-informed approach. Day-to-day responsibilities include conducting assessments, developing and implementing treatment plans, and delivering individual, family, and group sessions as appropriate. The role includes intensive case management, coordination with foster parents, biological families, schools, and community providers to support placement stability and permanency goals. The Family Counselor will maintain accurate documentation, participate in team meetings, and collaborate closely with social workers and other professionals to ensure consistent and effective support for youth and families.
Qualifications
- Counseling and Family Therapy skills, with the ability to provide trauma-informed, family-centered interventions.
- Social Work and Case Management experience, including coordination of services and advocacy for youth and families.
- Solution Focused skills, with the capacity to use strengths-based approaches to support problem-solving and resilience.
- Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, or a related human services field (MSW, licensure or licensure-eligible preferred).
- Experience working with children and youth in foster care, residential, or community-based behavioral health settings.
- Strong communication, documentation, and organizational skills, with the ability to manage a caseload and meet regulatory requirements.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with diverse families, caregivers, and multidisciplinary teams, and to maintain professional boundaries.
- Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation for community visits, and ability to meet background check and other compliance standards.