What does a family service counselor do?
Family service counselor responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real family service counselor resumes:
- Maintain the HMIS databases for new leads and existing client s needs.
- Design and implement new position utilizing community outreach counseling and support services for patients in partial hospital and outpatient programs.
- Perform drug screens after hours so the kids wouldn't miss school.
- Maintain and upkeep knowledge of current policy and program procedures for programs administer by DHS.
- Identify and assess needs of minors place in care by DCF due to abuse or neglect.
- Coordinate cases with supervisor, team members, providers, medical teams, DCF and attorneys as needed.
- Process medical re-determinations to provide medical benefits available from DHS to clients.
- Implement patient financial services department to assist patients and family members to ensure successful patient representation and expeditious benefit recovery.
- Input sales and maintain records in HMIS, call companies and order merchandise, complete contracts by computer.
- Conduct Medicaid reviews and reviewed/revise client treatment plans.
- Complete initial funding applications, request Medicaid, maintain eligibility files.
- Complete documentation of all case activities in case file and FSFN.
- Complete documentation of progress by the family in clinical case notes through FSFN electronic filing system.
- Interview customers for cash benefits and process numerous food stamp and TANF applications on a daily basis.
- Work as the only TANF caseworker in the office and maintain work sites for able body workers in the TANF families.
Family service counselor skills and personality traits
We calculated that 22% of Family Service Counselors are proficient in Social Work, Community Resources, and Family Services. They’re also known for soft skills such as Emotional skills, Communication skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Family Service Counselors that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Social Work, 22%
Provide meetings with Agencies, Municipalities, Social Workers, School Directors to coordinate program services.
- Community Resources, 13%
Referred family to appropriate community resources, monitoring compliance with providers through multidisciplinary contact.
- Family Services, 10%
Supervised 5 Family Services Counselor and provided guidance and feedback counseling services.
- Mental Health, 7%
Provided psychological services for a wide variety of mental health and behavior management concerns while coordinating with consulting Psychiatrists and Physicians.
- Client Families, 6%
Network local community events to maintain relationships with client families and introduce the community to our Funeral Home and Cemetery.
- Child Abuse, 3%
Performed detailed investigations of alleged child abuse and neglect.
Common skills that a family service counselor uses to do their job include "social work," "community resources," and "family services." You can find details on the most important family service counselor responsibilities below.
Communication skills. Another essential skill to perform family service counselor duties is communication skills. Family service counselors responsibilities require that "clients talk to social workers about challenges in their lives." Family service counselors also use communication skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "maintain positive communication with client families to answer questions or concerns with the burial process and assist families cope with loss. "
Problem-solving skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of family service counselors is problem-solving skills. This skill is critical to many everyday family service counselor duties, as "social workers must analyze their clients’ complex situations and develop practical solutions." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "completed accredited courses with specialization in alternative dispute resolution, domestic violence, equitable distribution of property, and cultural diversity. "
Interpersonal skills. A big part of what family service counselors do relies on "interpersonal skills." You can see how essential it is to family service counselor responsibilities because "social workers must be able to work with different groups of people." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical family service counselor tasks: "provision of individual, group therapy in conjunction with case management and crisis counseling developed interpersonal skills. "
Organizational skills. Another crucial skill for a family service counselor to carry out their responsibilities is "organizational skills." A big part of what family service counselors relies on this skill, since "social workers must help and manage multiple clients, often assisting with their paperwork or documenting their treatment." How this skill relates to family service counselor duties can be seen in an example from a family service counselor resume snippet: "anger management, impulse control, appropriate peer relations, organizational skills). "
The three companies that hire the most family service counselors are:
- Rose Hills Mortuary173 family service counselors jobs
- Service Corporation International167 family service counselors jobs
- Phoenix Children's3 family service counselors jobs
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Compare different family service counselors
Family service counselor vs. Student worker
Student workers are students who are employed while also enrolled at the university. They usually work in a department or college where they handle different tasks. Most of the time, student workers are assigned to do administrative activities. Their tasks include sorting mail, sending outgoing mail, manning telephone lines, filing documents, updating records, liaising with other departments, and documenting meetings, among others. Student-workers may also be assigned to handle or assist in university-wide events and activities. They are expected to be technologically savvy so that they can really help out in the department they are assigned to. Student-workers should be responsible, trustworthy, and diligent.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between family service counselors and student worker. For instance, family service counselor responsibilities require skills such as "social work," "community resources," "family services," and "mental health." Whereas a student worker is skilled in "customer service," "front desk," "twitter," and "financial aid." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Student workers tend to make the most money working in the retail industry, where they earn an average salary of $26,351. In contrast, family service counselors make the biggest average salary, $50,903, in the government industry.The education levels that student workers earn slightly differ from family service counselors. In particular, student workers are 7.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a family service counselor. Additionally, they're 0.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Family service counselor vs. Youth advocate
Youth advocates are individuals who responsible for maintaining the human rights of youth while assisting them in developing their skills in all areas of life, such as education, health, employment, and relationships. These advocates are required to discuss youth development and involvement with various leaders in the community. They must provide crisis interventions by performing one-on-one and group meetings with young adults. Youth advocates must also work with mental health professionals within the community so that they can guide teenagers with drug or alcohol problems and mental health issues.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that family service counselor responsibilities requires skills like "family services," "client families," "child abuse," and "funeral homes." But a youth advocate might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "foster care," "youth development," "social services," and "independent living."
On average, youth advocates earn a lower salary than family service counselors. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, youth advocates earn the most pay in the automotive industry with an average salary of $31,171. Whereas family service counselors have higher pay in the government industry, with an average salary of $50,903.youth advocates earn similar levels of education than family service counselors in general. They're 1.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for family service counselors in the next 3-5 years?
Lesley Casarez Ph.D.
Director, Quality Enhancement Plan Program Coordinator, M.S. Professional School Counseling Associate Professor, Curriculum and Instruction, Angelo State University
Family service counselor vs. Youth worker
Youth workers specialize in handling and providing support to young individuals with behavioral difficulties. They are primarily responsible for devising recreational projects, handling the budget, producing progress reports, managing intervention programs, and counseling troubled youth while keeping their information confidential. There may be instances where one must also search for opportunities and apply for funding or sponsorship. Furthermore, as a youth worker, it is vital to assess an individual's condition to determine their needs and ensure that they will receive the proper treatment.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a family service counselor is likely to be skilled in "social work," "family services," "client families," and "child abuse," while a typical youth worker is skilled in "direct supervision," "cpr," "at-risk youth," and "youth development."
Youth workers earn the highest salary when working in the education industry, where they receive an average salary of $32,651. Comparatively, family service counselors have the highest earning potential in the government industry, with an average salary of $50,903.Most youth workers achieve a lower degree level compared to family service counselors. For example, they're 6.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.9% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Family service counselor vs. Youth development professional
Youth Development Professionals are specialists in implementing and overseeing programs to help adolescents discover their abilities and interests. They are responsible for coordinating career days and field trips, organizing mentorship sessions, create youth outreach projects, and assisting community organizations in youth provision development. Other duties include supporting the training of volunteer youth workers as well as ensuring service provided adheres to professional standards and current regulations. A Youth Development Professional may specialize in a specific development sector, such as healthy living, experiential learning, or public service.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between family service counselors and youth development professionals, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a family service counselor might have more use for skills like "social work," "community resources," "family services," and "mental health." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of youth development professionals require skills like "youth development," "direct care," "productive relationships," and "restraints. "
The average resume of youth development professionals showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to family service counselors. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 0.9% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.0%.Types of family service counselor
Updated January 8, 2025
