Family Support Specialist

Job Description

Summary

This position works with families to improve the quality of individual lives, strengthen family functioning, and achieve independence through stable housing. This position is part of the family housing team at Simpson Housing Services. The goals of the program are to partner with families to move into and retain stable housing, increase economic resources, and simultaneously address the needs of parents and children to improve outcomes for the whole family.

Simpson staff are expected to actively work toward an anti-racist culture at Simpson Housing Services and within the broader community.

Hours for this position are generally Mondays-Fridays, 9am-5pm, with some flexibility based on participant needs.

• Complete intakes and assist with housing placement of new participants.
• Orient participants to Simpson policies/procedures.
• Meet weekly for 60 minutes or more with families at their place of residence
• Partner with participants to develop self-defined goals focused on improving stability and achieving greater independence.
• Provide transportation assistance and accompany to appointments related to their goals.
• Support and explore community resources when participants are struggling with mental health concerns and healthy family functioning.
• Support skill development to achieve a greater level of autonomy.
• Simultaneously working with parents and children to improve health and educational outcomes and strengthen community connections.

• Partner with participants to address barriers to housing: such as a lack of proper  self or children, evictions and/or criminal record expungement, etc.
• Build relationships with property managers and facilitate communication with families regarding finding and securing housing, ongoing tenancy concerns, and property issues.
• Partner with families to complete tenancy education to understand their lease and know their rights and responsibilities as a tenant.
• Partner with participants to obtain furniture and other necessary household items.
• Partner with families to address housekeeping needs.
• Partner with participants to prepare for independent housing without services.

• Partner with participants to access and maintain government benefits
• Partner with participants to connect with education, training, and/or employment.
• Explore banking, savings programs, debt management, credit counseling, and budgeting tools to achieve a sustainable financial life.

• Demonstrate the ability to work within a team setting, with an emphasis on leadership,
  self-initiative, patience, creativity, maturity and tact.
• Communicate and coordinate services with all team members. Attend regular team meetings, other required meetings.
• Collaborate with Early Childhood and Children and Youth Specialists
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with staff, volunteers, and participants.

• Maintain individual electronic Client Track files, including timely detailed case notes of each interaction.
• Maintain accurate records including time sheets, credit card statements, client expenses and mileage reimbursement.

• Excellent skills in teamwork and collaboration.
• Ability to take initiative, work well independently, and manage time
• Knowledge of Harm Reduction/Housing First Model and commitment to that model
• Ability to communicate respectfully, positively and professionally with participants, providers, family members and others who are diverse with respect to race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and religion
• Ability to perform non-traditional tasks while meeting participant needs
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Adhere to a standard framework of boundaries in all interactions with participants, v