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Family support worker vs youth worker

The differences between family support workers and youth workers 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 support worker and a youth worker. Additionally, a family support worker has an average salary of $38,207, which is higher than the $32,242 average annual salary of a youth worker.

The top three skills for a family support worker include social work, foster care and family support. The most important skills for a youth worker are direct supervision, CPR, and crisis intervention.

Family support worker vs youth worker overview

Family Support WorkerYouth Worker
Yearly salary$38,207$32,242
Hourly rate$18.37$15.50
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs159,87587,360
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Average age4242
Years of experience44

What does a family support worker do?

A family service worker is a social service agent who assesses the needs of family and promotes wellbeing, social justice, and human rights through governmental and social service agencies. Family service workers offer services that can include counseling and mediation to families that will help them navigate the protocols of the social system. They act as liaisons between families facing problems and different government organizations. Family service workers also ensure that families in need are getting the benefits they are entitled to, as well as help them access various community resources.

What does a youth worker do?

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.

Family support worker vs youth worker salary

Family support workers and youth workers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Family Support WorkerYouth Worker
Average salary$38,207$32,242
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $54,000Between $25,000 And $40,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYFreehold, NJ
Highest paying stateNew YorkNew Jersey
Best paying companySt. Elizabeth's Health CenterSalt Lake County
Best paying industryGovernmentEducation

Differences between family support worker and youth worker education

There are a few differences between a family support worker and a youth worker in terms of educational background:

Family Support WorkerYouth Worker
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Most common majorPsychologyCriminal Justice
Most common collegeHunter College of the City University of New YorkSUNY at Albany

Family support worker vs youth worker demographics

Here are the differences between family support workers' and youth workers' demographics:

Family Support WorkerYouth Worker
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 14.0% Female, 86.0%Male, 42.6% Female, 57.4%
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 support worker and youth worker duties and responsibilities

Family support worker example responsibilities.

  • Help children/youth in state custody achieve permanency whether through reintegration, adoption or custodianship.
  • Interview clients and/or their representatives and complete appropriate paperwork for filing claims for Medicaid.
  • Determine eligibility of food stamps, medicaid, and welfare benefits including supportive services.
  • Mediate conflicts between patients, handle medical emergencies, assist patients in developing and implementing positive and cooperative living skills.
  • Initiate and maintain regular contact with families and establishing a trust relationship, primarily with DCF families.
  • Prepare petitions on cases which include a summary of allegations and DCF s findings to request judicial action when require.
  • Show more

Youth worker example responsibilities.

  • Assist in achieving and maintaining DoD certification and national accreditation or equivalent compliance.
  • Certify in CPR, and basic first aid.
  • Demonstrate patience, compassion, and understanding while helping with homework.
  • Stay current with require safety certifications including CPR, first aid, and fire protection.
  • Conduct research, create newsletters and PowerPoint presentations.
  • Provide supervision and supportive rehabilitation for detain youths in a maximum security prison.
  • Show more

Family support worker vs youth worker skills

Common family support worker skills
  • Social Work, 20%
  • Foster Care, 9%
  • Family Support, 7%
  • Community Resources, 7%
  • Family Services, 6%
  • Mental Health, 6%
Common youth worker skills
  • Direct Supervision, 12%
  • CPR, 11%
  • Crisis Intervention, 10%
  • at-Risk Youth, 8%
  • Youth Development, 6%
  • Role Model, 5%

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