Family Support Specialists perform a variety of duties and tasks to coordinate and implement services based on a case plan developed and facilitated by a referring agency. The main outcomes of this service are to prevent abuse/neglect of children, strengthen families, assist in providing permanency for children in care, and/or to enhance community safety. The Family Support Specialist will focus on child/parental skill acquisition, improved family functioning, increase parent/child interactions and community engagement for support with children/youth and families. Family Support Specialists will provide coaching, skill application and mentoring to ensure appropriate parenting skills during sessions with children.
Family Support Specialists also provide Parenting Time and Supervised Visitation which are structured, goal-oriented parenting time sessions, and monitored (supervised) visits related to the referral for family members who require safety and protection from physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, or neglect. The Family Support Specialist may also transport child(ren) to parenting time sessions.
Major Responsibilities and Related Tasks
Direct-Line Services
- Complete initial contact to referred families.
- Engage with the family in an effort to develop appropriate / necessary recommendations for future success.
- Provide necessary community resources and support system development.
- Present parenting instruction as required.
- Provide coaching, skill application and mentoring.
- Participate in case conferences, school conferences and court appearances with the family as requested.
- Provide family advocacy as needed.
- Provide case management and coordination with the Case Manager.
- Participate in ongoing assessment and evaluation of the family’s goals.
Client Information System
- Provide necessary client information to referring departments and the family (Session Notes and Monthly Summaries, case updates, Collateral Logs).
- Maintain appropriate professional files electronically which will provide all necessary documentation regarding the family.
Team / Supervision Meetings
- Participate in case management meetings upon requests with the Case Manager to coordinate necessary services.
- Participate in weekly supervision meetings.
Qualifications and Requirements
Knowledge & Skills: A thorough knowledge of effective parenting and is expected. Demonstrate effective skills in dealing with families involved in abuse/neglect situations as well as those involved in juvenile delinquency issues. A thorough knowledge of community resources is expected. Speicials will follow rules of confidentiality and demonstrate C.A.R.E.S. in working with all families, coworkers, and others.
Training and Experience: Bachelor’s Degree in human services, psychology, social work, or related area and a minimum of two years’ experience in the human services field (preferred).
In addition to:
- Knowledge of
- family of origin/intergenerational issues.
- child abuse/neglect and sexual abuse treatment.
- child and adult development.
- community resources
- Ability to
- work as a team member.
- be culturally competent.
- be trauma informed.
- Belief in the family preservation philosophy.
- Demonstrated successful ability to work independently and meet deadlines.
- Strong organizational skills.
- Solid communication and computer skills.
- Clear criminal history background and adult/child abuse checks.
- Valid driver’s license and good driving history.
Complete the application for the Family Support Specialist position today, click the Apply Online button below to start.
