Family Support Specialist

Job Description

Salary: 15 - 18

Position Summary:

The Family Support Specialist (FSS) is responsible for initiating and maintain regular and long-term (up to 3-5 years) in-person contact and support with families. The interventions should be family-centered, strength-based, and directed at establishing a trusting relationship; strengthening the parent-child relationship; promoting healthy childhood growth and development; and enhancing family well-being by reducing risk and building protective factors.

Qualifications:

• High School Diploma / GED required.
• Experience working with or providing services to children and their families
• Knowledge of infant and child development
• Infant Mental Health Endorsement preferred
• CPR/First Aide Certification within 3 months of hire and to be maintained every 2 years
• Clean criminal and Central Registry histories
• Good driving record.

Summary of Essential Job Function:

• Use reflective practice techniques in order to engage parents and explain the home visiting services to interested parents
• Utilize good writing skills and active listening techniques to complete the FROG assessment
• Develop and facilitate education classes to families
• Provide pregnancy counseling and/or referrals
• Develop positive working relationships with DHHS, and other external agencies
• Promote smooth coordination of services and clear communication patterns to promote the best possible service to children and families
• Participate actively in supervisory meetings, staff meetings, conferences and workshops designed to enhance skills and communicate information
• Maintain complete files in accordance with Agency, DHHS and state and federal policy requirements
• Keep files current and up to date through uploading documentation into HVOL timely
• Respect the confidentiality rights of clients by maintaining locked files and keeping all confidential information locked up
• Initiate referrals to other appropriate community-based agencies if a family does not want to enter the program and has identified family needs
• Contribute to overall quality assurance program and practices to maintain compliance with state and federal standards
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Key

Competencies:

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position requires both office and extensive fieldwork. One must have basic standard business office equipment and word processor knowledge. There is the potential for occasional exposure to combative and/or abusive clients and/or family members. One must be capable of using a standard voice telephone system for communication with the general public, and capable of writing, reading, and comprehending detailed report formats and psychological evaluations.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position requires walking, standing, sitting, stooping, bending, and lifting objects and children up to 40 lbs. You must be able to play and interact freely with children. The job can be emotionally stressful, with frequent crises and deadlines. It requires a valid drivers license and extensive day and night driving covering the 3-county service area. One must be prepared for long and irregular work hours.

It requires corrected vision and hearing to normal range, necessary to observe consumer/family interaction. One must be able to communicate adequately with clients, families, and other professionals, and provide in-home services to families where the homes may not be barrier free.