Family Support Specialist I

Category:

Professional

City:

Jackson

State:

Tennessee

Shift:

8 - Day (United States of America)

Job Description Summary:

Under the Direction of the Program Supervisor, assists with strengthening the parent-child relationship through improving parenting skills and meeting the dependency needs of the parents. Employee is responsible for optimizing the home environment for the physical and mental well-being of children who are at risk of being abused or neglected and their families. Employee is subject to call back and overtime as required by the hospital.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Establishes a trusting relationship with families by initiating and maintaining regular family contact.
• Establishes a family case plan with goals, objectives, and activities with the family and supervisor. Uses observation skills to assess the family dynamics and dysfunction, and implements appropriate interventions.
• Consistently follows Healthy Start/Healthier Beginnings policies and procedures.
• Have working knowledge of parent-child interactions, child development issues, and the dynamics of child abuse and neglect. Consistently applies this information in working with the families.
• Empowers families to make and attend medical appointments and meetings with social service agencies. May be required to provide transportation to medical or social service appointments based on need. Acts as a liaison between community resources and families.
• Has familiarity with community resources and makes appropriate referrals to meet the needs of families.
• May be responsible for community outreach in the area served.
• Meets with supervisor on a weekly regularly scheduled basis to evaluate family status.
• Documents pertinent information related to family observation and activities and worker intervention in the family file.
• Attends and participates in regular staff meetings, case conferences, in-service training, and other meetings as required or directed.
• Can collaborate, with consent, with other organizations and agencies to provide a comprehensive array of services to families.
• Consistently plans appropriate service intervention dispositions for families in need of extra support services.
• Demonstrates the ability to work cooperatively with co-workers as part of a team.
• Demonstrates maturity in interpersonal staff relationships.
• Performs related responsibilities as required or directed.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field from an accredited college or university required
• Must complete all Healthy Families America training components during orientation period.
• Must complete all AIMHI-TN components as required by the State during orientation period.

LICENSURE, REGISTRATION, CERTIFICATION:

• Valid Tennessee Driver’s License required

EXPERIENCE:

• Two (2) years of experience working with or providing services to children and their families preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Ability to demonstrate maturity and experience in successfully working with infants and young children and their parents
• Ability to speak, read, and write English
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge of local resources
• Knowledge of infant and child development

NONDISCRIMINATION NOTICE STATEMENT

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, disability, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, sexual orientation, age, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.