Healthy Families Family Support Specialist

Non-Exempt

40 hours/week

Overview of Responsibilities

1. The Family Support Specialist (FSS) is responsible for initiating and maintaining regular and long-term (up to five years) contact/support with families. Brightpaths serves Clarke, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Madison, Jackson, Barrow, and Walton counties. The Family Support Specialist (FSS) is responsible for regular weekly, bi-monthly, monthly and quarterly home visits with families assigned to their caseload. Home visits occur primarily in the family’s home and last about an hour. The FSS’s role will be a supportive partner who facilitates a secure attachment and relationship between parent and child. FSS will use intervention strategies that are strength-based, family centered and designed to establish a trusting relationship between FSS and parent(s). FSS will also assist families in enlarging their support system; increasing their ability to problem-solve and establish and accomplish short-term goals. The FSS reports to the Clinical Supervisor. The interventions should be family-centered, strength-based, and directed at:  establishing a trusting relationship; assisting in strengthening the parent-child relationship; assisting parents in improving their skills to optimize the home environment; improving the family support system; and increasing the family’s ability to problem solve and assume the role of advocate for themselves and their children. The activities may also include identifying and referring for contact/appointments at other supportive agencies, including health care appointments. The FSS will also be responsible for assisting the family in establishing goals and a plan for accomplishment of those goals, as well as the assessment of the normal growth and development of the target child. The FSS will report to a Clinical Supervisor.

Specific Responsibilities

1. Direct Service:

• Build trusting relationships with families to engage and retain families in the program.

• Visit with each family for an average of one hour for the required number of visits prescribed by HFA levels.

• Complete the FROG assessment to initiate services and develop a service plan unique to each family.

• Partner with families to develop a service plan and on-going family goals.

• Provide emotional support and use active listening skills during visits

• Prepare and facilitate home visits using components of the GGK/GGF/other curriculum.

• Support positive parent-child interaction and a secure attachment relationship between parent and child.

• Make referrals to community resources

• Model and teach families effective problem-solving skills

• Support families to engage in appropriate preventive medical care for themselves and their children.

• Keep regular visit schedule with families based on their level

• Complete evaluations/screenings timely

• Engage and retain families by building a trusting, non-judgmental relationship

• Maintain a professional, supportive relationship with families throughout the course of service

• Maintain confidentiality and respect for each parent and child as unique individuals.

1. Indirect Service:

• Establish a service plan with goals, objectives, and activities with supervisor.

• Attend HFA Required training: Foundations, FROG, GGK, and wrap-around training.

• Participate in individual weekly reflective supervision ( minimum 1 ½ hour)

• Participate in monthly Reflective Consultation Groups 

• Attend required and annual training

• Assist in planning and implementing group activities for families.

• Notify supervisor of any concerns regarding child abuse reports, families missing visits, potential problems, safety issues and any other questions regarding the program 

1. Program Implementation:

• Complete all necessary documentation within the time frame indicated in the program policy

• Engage new families quickly and retain families through developing a trusting relationship with each family.

• Complete visits with families or transfer family to another visitor before terminating employment.

• Keep scheduled visits with families and let them know if you will be late or need to reschedule.

• Commit to 40 hours per week, with the possibility of a non-traditional work hours. (i.e. visits that occur after 5 PM or weekend events)

1. Other responsibilities:

• Attend monthly staff meetings

• Assist in special projects, fundraisers and office duties as needed

• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Selection Criteria

• Experience in working with or providing services to children and their families

• Minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent, college coursework preferred

• An ability to establish trusting relationships

• Acceptance of individual differences

• Experience and willingness to work with the culturally diverse populations present among the site’s target population

• Knowledge of infant and child development 

• Open to reflective practice

• Have reliable transportation (mileage rate and reimbursement)

• Must be willing to work within the Brightpaths service area (Clarke, Oconee, Madison, Oglethorpe, Jackson, Barrow, and Walton).

• Ability to learn and practice basic supportive skills while maintaining personal and programmatic boundaries

• Demonstrates good writing and organizational skills.

• Proficient use of computer and other software programs.

• Organizational and time management skills.

• Bilingual in Spanish and English is preferred, but not required

• Infant mental health endorsement preferred

Benefits and Salary: 

• Flexible office hours and work from home opportunities 

• Health Insurance provided, with 75% of premium paid by employer 

• Paid time off for sick and vacation, as well as Federal holidays, floating spiritual, cultural and birthday days off 

• Mental health benefit includes therapy costs covered by employer 

• Opportunity for performance-based bonuses annually 

• Computer and other technology provided 

• Reimbursable mileage 

• Phone stipend 

• Eligible for student loan forgiveness through the federal PSLF program

• Salary starting at $32,000 annually, adjusted for education, experience, and bilingual skills. 

Apply at brightpathsathens.org/jobs 

For more information or questions, please contact info@pcaathens.org