Parents as Teachers; PAT Family Support Specialist

Parents as Teachers (PAT) Family Support Specialist I

The Parents as Teachers (PAT) Family Support Specialist I is an in-person role, with occasional program-approved virtual visits, providing home- and community-based parent education and family support services to expectant parents, caregivers, and families with young children. Utilizing the evidence-based Parents as Teachers model, the Family Support Specialist partners with families through relationship-based coaching, developmental guidance, and family-centered goal setting to promote healthy child development, school readiness, family well-being, and positive parent-child relationships.

• Deliver evidence-based home visits utilizing the Parents as Teachers model to support parenting knowledge, child development, family well-being, and school readiness.
• Partner with families to establish meaningful goals, develop action plans, monitor progress, and celebrate successes.
• Conduct required developmental, family well-being, health, and risk screenings according to PAT and MIECHV requirements.
• Maintain compliance with all Parents as Teachers model fidelity requirements, Massachusetts MIECHV expectations, and applicable federal and state regulations.

• Minimum of High School diploma.
• Experience working with young children and families in home visiting, early childhood, education, social services, public health, or related settings preferred.
• Ability to communicate effectively with families, staff, management, community partners, and referral sources.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable/consistent transportation for home visiting throughout the service area.
• Ability to obtain and maintain Parents as Teachers Foundational and Model Implementation Training requirements.

• Physical Demands:
  Ability to travel regularly throughout the service area, navigate stairs, carry program materials, and participate in home visits, community visits, and group activities.
• Ability to work in homes with pets, allergens, and differing home conditions while maintaining a respectful family-centered approach.
• Must have a valid (within the past two years) physical or Doctor’s letter verifying ability to satisfy the above requirements and maintain throughout employment.
• Emotional Demands:
  Mature and stable individual who is able to cope with the emotional demands of working with families experiencing stress, trauma, economic hardship, and other life challenges.
• Regulatory Demands:
  Must meet all requirements for program certification, training, and applicable state and federal regulations.

The above is intended to be a general description of job responsibilities and are not considered to be inclusive of all duties that may be required. Other tasks as assigned.