We are committed to supporting at risk children and families by providing them with tools and resources to help prevent children from experiencing child abuse, neglect and abandonment. We are a Christian agency that believes in living our mission: “to provide Christ-centered care and support to children and families in need.”

In response to this community-wide challenge, Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services (PCHAS), provides 14 programs and services in 28 locations in Texas, Missouri and Louisiana. In all of our programs, we seek to provide children with permanent homes and adults with increased self-sufficiency. This is accomplished by the agency’s commitment to “The PCHAS Way” which inspires the agency to be strength-focused, family-centered, and goal driven with every client.

Benefits of serving children and families in need through PCHAS include competitive salaries, flex work schedules, paid time off, medical, dental and vision insurance options, voluntary life insurance options, paid holidays, and a very generous retirement plan (after one year of service and working 1,000 hours the agency matches an employee’s contribution).

Status: Exempt

To provide strength based, family focused, and goal driven Christ-centered

child and family services to clients; work with and facilitate Child & Family Program ministry within Presbyterian churches; participate with the PCHAS Development officers in development efforts as requested; nurture, develop, and organize community resources needed.

1.  To be knowledgeable of local needs and available services to children and families in the community.

2.  To publicize PCHAS presence; serve as a professional liaison with the local social service community;

and speak to church and community groups when requested.

3.  To work with Presbyterian churches in program promotion, assist development efforts, and utilize and support volunteers, as needed.

4.  To receive referrals and maintain a caseload of 12-16 families, make home visits, conduct need assessments, develop a plan of service that is culturally sensitive and promotes self-determination for the family.  Explore and facilitate referrals as appropriate to the needs and abilities of the family.

5.  To provide parenting or other skill based classes for families as appropriate considering existing community resources.

6.  To practice with a family centered, strength focused and goal driven approach while utilizing the PCHAS Way.

7.  To assist and encourage families to advocate and coordinate (within their capacity) all needed services for themselves with the overall goal of achieving self-sufficiency.

Working Conditions:

Most offices are provided in Presbyterian churches with normal office equipment (computer, fax, copier, office furniture).  Much of the work week is spent outside the office doing home visits, face to face contact with clients, resource networking and agency relations.  Reliable transportation is a necessity and overnight trips may occasionally be necessary for training, quality assurance and Regional meetings.

This position requires education, training and experience in human service delivery to families.  The ability to work with a wide variety of human problems and competence in handling crisis intervention is required. Flexibility in terms of work hours and work locations is necessary.  Possessing counseling and social work skills with children and their families is essential along with strong organizational skills, time management, and flexibility in scheduling.  This position requires a highly motivated self-starter with special abilities to relate to families, churches and community groups.

Desired job expectations:

1.  LMSW, LPC, or its equivalent.

2.  A minimum of 3 years experience working with children and their families.

3.  Clinical licensure is desired.

4.  Experience or discernible high aptitude in working with church groups and social service agencies.

5.  Good listener and communicator both verbally and in writing.

6.  Possess critical thinking skills to help families to develop goals, find solutions and attain self-sufficiency.

7.  Experience working in social services or the child welfare system.

8.  Extensive knowledge of local area social services and networking opportunities.

9.  Bilingual