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Family intervention specialist vs child welfare specialist

The differences between family intervention specialists and child welfare specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a family intervention specialist and a child welfare specialist. Additionally, a child welfare specialist has an average salary of $50,377, which is higher than the $42,045 average annual salary of a family intervention specialist.

The top three skills for a family intervention specialist include social work, family therapy and at-risk youth. The most important skills for a child welfare specialist are social work, foster care, and child safety.

Family intervention specialist vs child welfare specialist overview

Family Intervention SpecialistChild Welfare Specialist
Yearly salary$42,045$50,377
Hourly rate$20.21$24.22
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs76,99076,508
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Average age4242
Years of experience44

What does a family intervention specialist do?

A family intervention specialist provides family-centered care by visiting children and youth with alcohol addiction, substance abuse, and mental or behavioral health disorders. Typical duties include providing assessment and counseling using evidence-based practices, coordinating with treatment providers to implement services for children and their families. Additionally, as a family intervention specialist, you will be responsible for maintaining up-to-date and accurate reporting, clinical charts, and billing records.

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.

Family intervention specialist vs child welfare specialist salary

Family intervention specialists and child welfare specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Family Intervention SpecialistChild Welfare Specialist
Average salary$42,045$50,377
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $49,000Between $35,000 And $71,000
Highest paying City-Cherry Hill, NJ
Highest paying state-New Jersey
Best paying company-University of California
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between family intervention specialist and child welfare specialist education

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

Family Intervention SpecialistChild Welfare Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Most common majorPsychologySocial Work
Most common collegeHunter College of the City University of New YorkSUNY at Albany

Family intervention specialist vs child welfare specialist demographics

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

Family Intervention SpecialistChild Welfare Specialist
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 22.4% Female, 77.6%Male, 20.2% Female, 79.8%
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, 13.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 2.7% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between family intervention specialist and child welfare specialist duties and responsibilities

Family intervention specialist example responsibilities.

  • Help children/youth in state custody achieve permanency whether through reintegration, adoption or custodianship.
  • Provide information and support to transitioning foster youth during assessment, case planning or other permanency and transition-relate activities.
  • case file review and Medicaid authorizations.
  • Attend school meetings, including disciplinary meetings, IEP meetings, and conferences for clients.
  • Complete risk assessments and develop comprehensive intervention plans to address safety, communication, and problem solving abilities.

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.
  • Show more

Family intervention specialist vs child welfare specialist skills

Common family intervention specialist skills
  • Social Work, 28%
  • Family Therapy, 13%
  • at-Risk Youth, 7%
  • On-Call Availability, 5%
  • Child Welfare, 5%
  • Villages, 5%
Common child welfare specialist skills
  • Social Work, 30%
  • Foster Care, 16%
  • Child Safety, 4%
  • Child Welfare, 4%
  • Court Hearings, 3%
  • Community Resources, 3%

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