The Family Coach for Tennessee Families Thrive (TFT) provides direct services to parents and caregivers as part of a grant-funded, community-based initiative administered through the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, College of Social Work, Social Work Office of Research and Public Service (SWORPS).

Reporting to the Program Manager, the Family Coach works one-on-one with families to assess needs, set goals, and co-develop individualized Family Action Plans that promote household stability, economic mobility, and child well-being through coordinated case management, individualized coaching and stabilization services (virtual and in-person, including in the family's home), and connection to community-based partner referrals. Guided by the EPIC Practice Model (Empowerment, Partnership, Integration, and Coaching), the Family Coach delivers strengths-based coaching and connects families to community resources and referrals across key service areas, including employment, housing, childcare, financial stability, health, and parenting supports. This position supports the Families First Community Grant's TANF purpose by helping families achieve stability and strengthen family relationships so children can remain safe at home. Family Coaches provide services to families in the multi-county Northeast TN Region. The schedule is flexible to meet staff needs, with an average of 40 hours a week. Candidate must be willing and able to flex schedule as needed.

This is a grant-funded position and is contingent upon the continued funding of the grant.

This position is anticipated to have a start date of July 1^st, 2026.

Required Qualifications

• Education:
  • Bachelor’s degree in social work or closely related field
    • Must have valid driver’s license, automobile at their disposal, and a current automobile liability policy with continuous coverage.
• Experience:
  • Three years of experience in direct service working with children and youth, their families or programs that serve them.
  • Clinical skills (license not required)
  • Analytical Skills
  • Writing Skills
  • Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel skills
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  • Knowledgeable about adverse childhood experiences and trauma
  • Knowledgeable about and skilled in best practice with families
  • Demonstrated strong communication skills
  • Ability to design and facilitate training/learning activities
  • Ability to plan and execute community outreach and awareness activities
  • Ability to prioritize tasks, follow through to complete and document work with families in a timely and accurate manner
  • Ability to work effectively on multiple tasks and under tight deadlines

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience:
  • Previous experience partnering or working with the Tennessee Department of Human Services or the Tennessee Department of Children's Services

Work Location

• This position is hybrid and requires travel to Greene and Hamblen Counties. Applicants must live within 30 minutes of Greene and Hamblen Counties, TN

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: 07
• Anticipated hiring range: $50,000 to $55,000
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

Applications will be reviewed as received and interviews can begin as soon as 7 days from posting.

Interested individuals should provide the following:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of 3 Professional References

About The College/Department/Division

The Social Work Office of Research and Public Service (SWORPS) is an applied research center of the University of Tennessee College of Social Work (CSW). We are a dynamic and close-knit interdisciplinary team of individuals with a shared vision of thriving communities with equitable outcomes for all. We do that by building partnerships that leverage research, technology, and human connection to improve lives in Tennessee and beyond.

Over the past fifty years, SWORPS has worked with local nonprofits such as the United Way of Greater Knoxville, University of Tennessee departments and faculty researchers, state agencies such as the Tennessee Department of Human Services, and federal agencies like the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Our annual portfolio consists of 25-40 sponsored projects spanning a wealth of different content areas, but one common thread -each project contributes one more building block for thriving communities with equitable outcomes for all.

Learn more about SWORPS and some of our programs and resources by visiting our webpage: https://www.sworps.tennessee.edu/

The Family Coach responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Assess family eligibility for TFT assistance and facilitate access

• Conduct comprehensive, mutual assessment of families’ strengths and protective and risk factors

• Build an actionable, goal-driven plan with program participants

• Provide information, intervention, crisis stabilization, advocacy, training, and resource linkage services aimed at strengthening families to enhance child and family stability, safety, and well-being

• Coach and mentor families in problem solving, decision making, and action planning designed to increase family self-sufficiency and personal accountability

• Facilitate family events, peer support circles, and Family Advisory Groups within assigned county coverage area

• Connect families and youth to their communities

• Develop and maintain partnerships with local agencies to assist participants with barriers to employment

• Conduct monthly outreach activities within assigned counties to raise awareness of TFT services and to identify, engage, and sustain collaborative partnerships

• Participate in coalitions, community meetings, trainings, job/resource fairs, and collaborative forums—including workforce development, family-serving systems, and other relevant community-based activities

• Develop, maintain, and regularly update a comprehensive directory of community-based services that support families across key domains

• Maintain participant confidentiality

• Documentation of participant progress in appropriate places, i.e. Apricot, Excel spreadsheet, etc.

• Ensure accurate documentation, data entry, and compliance with reporting requirements

• Monitor referrals to ensure quality program delivery

• Fiscal tasks including but not limited to One Card reconciliation and uploading and documenting receipts, monthly gift card reconciliation, and travel reports