Healthy Families America, Family Support Specialist

The Family Support Specialist (FSS) is responsible for initiating and maintaining regular and long-term contact and support with families. Services occur primarily within the family’s home or community, using the Healthy Families America (HFA) model with a focus on serving BIPOC families. This position is responsible for case management, outreach, information and referral making. HFA Core training is required and provided.  

Family Support Specialists use interventions that are 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. The FSS partners with families and honors diverse family structures and parenting practices.  

Hours: 30-40 hours per week, including evenings and Saturdays 

CPI is committed to a diverse, inclusive and equitable work environment. Our staff represent our community and persons with lived experience in the areas in which we serve. Our goal is to employ a workforce that supports racial equity, values differences, and celebrates unique perspectives.  Everyone is welcome at CPI.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Experience in working with or providing services to children and their families in a professional or personal setting. 
• Experience and humility to work with culturally diverse families and BIPOC communities.  
• Willing to engage in building reflective capacity (e.g., capacity for introspection, communicating awareness of self in relation to others, recognizing value of supervision, etc.).
• Acceptance of individual differences.
• Ability to establish good rapport and establish trusting relationships with parents.
• Strong understanding of infant & child development and trauma-informed care.
• Experience with conflict resolution.
• Willingness to attend Healthy Families America (HFA) Core training; must pass the accreditation process.
• Minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Strong communication skills.
• Understanding & commitment to CPI’s mission, goals & philosophies.
• Reliable transportation is required.  The FSS travels to multiple locations throughout the workday.
• Must have the ability to work some evenings and Saturdays to accommodate family needs.
• Fluent Spanish/English speaking and writing is a plus.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Provide trauma-informed care and support to identified parents.
• Provide in-home visits (in-person or remote based on family’s needs).
• Develop a service plan with cooperation of parents and, if relevant, other service providers.
• Assist the family in establishing goals and support them as they implement activities outlined on the Family Service Plan to address areas of concern that were identified. 
• Maintain accurate records of the visit content, referrals to community resources, parents’ needs and goals, and required demographic information.
• Administer the Family Resilience and Opportunities for Growth Scale (FROG) Scale; 
• Administer screening tools such as the ASQ, ASQ-SE, Depression Screens etc.; identifying and referring families for other supportive services, including health care services. 
• Complete required evaluations and reports in a timely manner.
• Maintain regular communication about parent/client progress, successes and concerns with Program Supervisor and interagency connections (public health nurse, or other agency case manager).
• Attend regular meetings to discuss program practices, policies and procedures in a supportive learning environment.
• Attend required agency staff meetings and other meetings as determined by the Program Manager (case management meetings or other community-based meetings).
• Attend relevant parenting classes and training workshops to develop and strengthen professional skills.
• Refer to other community resources as needed.
• Consult with a mental health provider when needed to support the mental health needs of parent(s) or child(ren).
• Other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to lift 25 lbs (supplies)
• Prolonged sitting and working on a computer and telephone.
• Driving to client homes using your own vehicle.

NOTICE: This job description is provided as a general summary of common job duties performed by individuals assigned this job title. It is not all-inclusive, nor is it intended to create a contract, written or implied, between employees and Child Parent Institute, nor does it in any way alter the at-will employment relationship that exists between employees and Child Parent Institute. As a condition of employment, all agency employees are expected to perform job duties assigned by agency management even when such duties are not included in their job description. CPI is an equal opportunity employer.