Family Support Specialist

Job description

Family Support Specialist REPORTS TO: Healthy Families America, Program Manager NUMBER OF OPENINGS: Two (2) Positions Available SUMMARY OF POSITION: Reporting to the Supervisor of Healthy Families America. This position is responsible for home-based intervention services, referral and coordination of activities for families of children prenatal through age five through the Healthy Families America (HFA) Program as a Family Support Specialist. This position will work collaboratively with community partners to achieve outcomes for children and families. ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: General Responsibilities : Accepts assignments from the HFA Supervisor. Makes contact with families within two business days. Works as a team member with all Saginaw ISD staff, parents and program partners to implement a program that is meaningful and meets the individual needs of each child and family. Maintains strict confidentiality with respect to HFA families and staff in accordance with established policies and procedures and other legal requirements, i.e., FERPA and HIPAA. Builds collaborative community relationships, leading to enhanced referrals and program outcomes. Completes all paperwork, assessment, and screenings within designated timelines. Makes CPS referrals when appropriate. Reports all referrals to immediate supervisor and manager. Meets HFA required training components, including attendance and participation in conferences, seminars, coaching and mentoring and in-service training, keeping up-to-date with developmentally appropriate practice, best practice, and evidence-based practice for children and families. Tracks all training on required forms. Demonstrates needed computer skills: Must be proficient in Microsoft Windows Word, Google, Excel, email communications and the Internet. Actively participates in efforts to sustain Healthy Families America including program marketing, recruitment, public outreach and communication activities. Responds to all family needs in a culturally sensitive and competent manner; seeks out additional training and resources to support this strategy. Performs other related duties as required by the Supervisor and Director of Early Childhood and Parenting Services. Family Support Specialist Responsibilities : Under general supervision, the Family Support Specialist supports the family environment by assisting in strengthening the parent-child relationship, improving parenting skills, promoting healthy child growth and development, and reducing family stress. It is expected that this position will perform all essential job functions while maintaining a full weighted caseload. Establishes and maintains a trusting relationship with families by providing regular contact through home visits, with support from supervisor. Implements assigned curriculum with each family, applying working knowledge and skills to support the well-being of the child and to strengthen the parent’s capacity to nurture the child and family. Performs developmental screenings, health care and immunization monitoring, and other evaluative measures as required. Provides parents with information on appropriate developmental interventions or further assessments as needed. Assesses for appropriate community service referrals; assists with and/or coordinates service delivery and agency resources with SISD partners and other community services providers. Works with each family to establish and implement a family support plan with goals, objectives, and activities to meet individual child and parent needs. Records home-visit content, parent-child observations and activities as required. Assists families as needed with applications for programs such as medical or financial assistance. Provides home visiting services to families in adherence to all standards established by Healthy Families America and the Council on Accreditation. Conducts home visits to assess family’s needs and promote positive parent-child bonding, completes all paperwork and assessments within designated timelines. Follows up on all family needs related to referrals, home visiting, including re-scheduling home visits, following up on basic needs of families, and documenting all efforts. Maintains family records in accordance with agency and funding source requirements. Maintains a complete record keeping system including an online database of each child’s developmental progress, behavior and health, and parental concerns and contacts made for special needs. Coordinates community services including but not limited to, housing programs, child care and respite programs, employment training and continuing education programs, referrals to shelters, and alcohol and drug treatment services. Documents and reports all referrals and outcomes of referrals. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: Bachelor’s Degree in education, psychology, counseling, social work, or related behavioral health field required. Master’s Degree preferred. Must have experience working with an array of family structures, including experience working with pregnant individuals, infants and children. Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with families in a diverse environment. Must have and be able to demonstrate knowledge of pregnancy, prenatal development and child development. Must have experience working with families with varied individualized needs. Must demonstrate a working knowledge of case documentation standards and requirements. Must be flexible in scheduling and able to work limited nights and weekends as needed and necessary. Demonstrated ability to work effectively on a family support team and also be able to work well independently. Must demonstrate an extensive knowledge of community resources. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Must display initiative and enthusiasm in performance of essential job responsibilities. Must be non-judgmental, show compassion, empathy, and insightfulness in the performance of essential job responsibilities. Ability to establish a trusting relationship in working with families and community agencies. Must demonstrate problem solving and practical skills. APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Applicants must complete and submit an online Saginaw Intermediate School District application. In addition to the online application, a cover letter, resume, at least three references and transcripts are required. An application may be obtained online by going to the SISD website at: and clicking on “Employment.” NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION Saginaw Intermediate School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender and gender identity, disability, age, or national origin in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Executive Director of Human Resources Saginaw Intermediate School District 3933 Barnard Road, Saginaw, MI 48603 Telephone: (989) 799-4733, Fax: (989) 249-8756 Email: Web: