Behavior Support Specialist/Mentor

Duty-based Role

A Behavior Support Specialist/Mentor provides direct support and intervention services to children in foster care, working to promote positive behavioral changes and emotional well-being.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a human services field
• Minimum of one year of documented experience working with children with emotional disorders or challenging behaviors
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation
• Must pass background check and drug screening

Primary Duties

Direct Support Services

• Provide one-on-one mentoring and support to children in foster care
• Implement behavior intervention strategies and techniques
• Model appropriate behaviors and coping skills
• Assist children in developing social skills and positive peer relationships
• Support children during crisis situations using approved de-escalation techniques

Treatment Planning

• Participate in the development and implementation of service plans
• Document child's progress and maintain accurate records
• Collaborate with treatment team members to ensure consistent intervention approaches
• Provide feedback on behavioral interventions' effectiveness

Care Coordination

• Coordinate with caregivers, therapists, and other service providers
• Attend and participate in treatment team meetings
• Provide regular updates to case managers and supervisors

Training and Support

• Train foster parents on behavior management techniques
• Provide guidance on implementing behavioral interventions
• Support foster parents in managing challenging behaviors
• Assist in crisis prevention and intervention
• Complete package-specific training per FC-16 before serving specialized populations
• [T3C] Treatment Foster Family Care requires additional training on high-acuity behavior management

Service Package-Specific Behavior Support

When providing behavior support services to children in specialized Service Packages, responsibilities are adapted per the applicable umbrella policy:

Substance Use Support Services:

• Support recovery-focused behavioral interventions
• Assist with trigger identification and management
• Model healthy coping strategies
• [CRITICAL] Maintain non-punitive approach; relapse is clinical, not behavioral infraction
• Ratio: 1:15
• Cross-Reference: FC-SU-01

Short-Term Assessment Support Services:

• Focus on behavioral observation and documentation
• Note effective intervention strategies for transition documentation
• Support assessment activities as directed by treatment team
• Ratio: 1:15
• Cross-Reference: FC-STASS-01

T3C Treatment Foster Family Care:

• Provide intensive behavior support for high-acuity population
• Implement behavior intervention plans with close clinical oversight
• [CRITICAL] Coordinate closely with Licensed Therapist and Treatment Director
• Support crisis prevention through proactive intervention
• Participate in 60-day review discussions regarding behavioral progress
• Ratio: 1:6 (more intensive than other packages)
• Cross-Reference: FC-TFFC-01

[T3C] Service Package Responsibilities: When serving children in specialized T3C Service Packages (Substance Use, Short-Term Assessment, Treatment Foster Family Care, Mental & Behavioral Health, IDD/Autism), responsibilities are adapted per the applicable umbrella policy and procedure. Staff must complete package-specific training per FC-16 Staff and Caregiver Training Policy before assuming specialized responsibilities. Consult FC-SU-01, FC-STASS-01, FC-TFFC-01, FC-MH-01, or FC-IDD-01 for detailed Service Package requirements.

Professional Requirements

• Maintain confidentiality of all client information
• Complete required documentation in a timely manner
• Participate in ongoing professional development
• Available for on-call crisis support as needed
• Comply with all agency policies and procedures

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