Family Support Specialist

PROGRAM: Healthy Families Niagara

STATUS: Full Time (35 Hours Per Week), Hybrid Position

FLSA DESIGNATION: Hourly

REPORTS TO: Healthy Families Supervisor

DEGREE: High School Diploma or GED; AAS Degree in a Health and Human Service field preferred

EXPERIENCE: Minimum of one (1) year in working with families and children and having a working knowledge of normal child growth/development and parent-child relationships preferred.

WAGE: $20.00 per hour

LOCATION(S): Niagara Falls and Lockport

AGENCY REQUIREMENTS:

• Valid New York State Driver’s License
• Use of a personal vehicle
• Live near or in target area

SKILLS:

• Ability to relate to people with respect to their individuality and cultural diversity using a strength-based model
• Believes in and advocates for nurturing, non-violent discipline of children
• Non-judgmental
• Task oriented
• Good writing and organizational skills
• Strong interpersonal skills

AGENCY EXPECTATIONS:

• Demonstrates knowledge of the program, mission, and services of Pinnacle Community Services, (PCS)
• Attends and participates in appropriate agency staff trainings and meetings
• Advocates for cultural diversity/sensitivity as appropriate
• Reports all suspected incidences of child abuse/neglect to NYS Hotline with supervisory approval
• Participates actively in ongoing professional development
• JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Initiates and maintains regular (weekly) and long term (up to 5 years) contact/support with families
• Visits with families primarily in their home for a minimum of one (1) hour
• Directs family centered interventions which are strength based and directed at establishing a trusting relationship
• Assists families in strengthening the parent-child relationship
• Assists families in improving their skills to optimize the home environment
• Assists families in improving the family support system
• Increases the family’s ability to problem solve and assume the role of advocate for themselves and their children
• Identifies and refers for contact/appointments at other supportive agencies, including health care appointments
• Assists family in establishing goals and a plan for accomplishment of the goals
• Assesses normal growth and development of the target child
• Completes referral forms and other agency forms and reports as necessary
• Assists other staff with providing Community or Group presentations and outreach
• Attends case conferences with Program Supervisors and Family Assessment Workers
• Assists with Program Participant Support Groups, Parenting Classes, obtaining donations and any other projects assigned by your Supervisor
• Attends and participates in CORE, wrap-around and team trainings
• Presents Healthy Families Niagara and PCS Agency services to the community at large
• Meets on a regular, planned basis for a minimum of two (2) hours per week with Supervisor at a regularly scheduled time
• Maintains confidentiality of Agency
• Performs other duties assigned by Administration

DISCLAIMER:

The information contained in this job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications requiredof this position.