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Child welfare specialist vs family counselor

The differences between child welfare specialists and family counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a child welfare specialist and a family counselor. Additionally, a child welfare specialist has an average salary of $50,377, which is higher than the $41,510 average annual salary of a family counselor.

The top three skills for a child welfare specialist include social work, foster care and child safety. The most important skills for a family counselor are social work, community resources, and POC.

Child welfare specialist vs family counselor overview

Child Welfare SpecialistFamily Counselor
Yearly salary$50,377$41,510
Hourly rate$24.22$19.96
Growth rate9%14%
Number of jobs76,50893,253
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Average age4241
Years of experience44

What does a child welfare specialist do?

Child welfare specialists are professionals who are responsible for protecting children and youngsters from harm by visiting their homes and other residential facilities to investigate their living conditions. These specialists are required to determine the suitability of the homes and resources of foster and adoptive parents for child placement. They must serve as child advocates by attending court proceedings to provide inclusive court proceedings. Child welfare specialists must also work closely with local enforcement to ensure the safety of children.

What does a family counselor do?

A Family Counselor treats married couples or family members in order to help them overcome mental or emotional problems. They provide effective treatment measures to help the family members resolve their issues.

Child welfare specialist vs family counselor salary

Child welfare specialists and family counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Child Welfare SpecialistFamily Counselor
Average salary$50,377$41,510
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $71,000Between $27,000 And $62,000
Highest paying CityCherry Hill, NJNew York, NY
Highest paying stateNew JerseyNew York
Best paying companyUniversity of CaliforniaShirley Ryan AbilityLab
Best paying industryTechnologyProfessional

Differences between child welfare specialist and family counselor education

There are a few differences between a child welfare specialist and a family counselor in terms of educational background:

Child Welfare SpecialistFamily Counselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Most common majorSocial WorkPsychology
Most common collegeSUNY at AlbanyCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Child welfare specialist vs family counselor demographics

Here are the differences between child welfare specialists' and family counselors' demographics:

Child Welfare SpecialistFamily Counselor
Average age4241
Gender ratioMale, 20.2% Female, 79.8%Male, 26.3% Female, 73.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 2.7% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%Black or African American, 7.0% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 4.6% White, 68.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage10%6%

Differences between child welfare specialist and family counselor duties and responsibilities

Child welfare specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage TANF program, in turn this help clients develop skills to enter the workforce.
  • Provide comprehensive case management to DCFS clients and their families to achieve case goals as outlined in the client service plan.
  • Manage a caseload TANF clients, assess clients eligibility to receive benefits, assist with placement of clients in various programs.
  • Complete behavior, mood and communication sections assign to social services on the MDS.
  • Advocate for the rights of incapacitate adults who are the alleged victims in APS referrals.
  • Assist clients in resolving conflicts with DHS workers or service providers while maintaining professionalism in an emotionally charge climate.
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Family counselor example responsibilities.

  • Conduct group check-in and co-lead group psychotherapy sessions to help clients identify and manage problems associate with psychiatric conditions.
  • Assist the clients in completing their DCF case plan, helping to remove any hindrances they may encounter.
  • Counsele and test patients who requesting confidential HIV testing services
  • Collaborate and coordinate patient care with resident/faculty physicians to provide appropriate levels of care to patients.
  • Receive and process referrals from DCF and community-base case managers for individuals suspect as substance abusers.
  • Utilize PowerPoint presentations to facilitate ongoing new student orientation, ensuring students understand rules and regulations.
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Child welfare specialist vs family counselor skills

Common child welfare specialist skills
  • Social Work, 30%
  • Foster Care, 16%
  • Child Safety, 4%
  • Child Welfare, 4%
  • Court Hearings, 3%
  • Community Resources, 3%
Common family counselor skills
  • Social Work, 22%
  • Community Resources, 13%
  • POC, 7%
  • Family Support, 5%
  • Family Therapy, 5%
  • DOD, 4%

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