Family Support Specialist - ICC (Dickson and surrounding counties)

Qualifications:

Minimum of high school diploma – Certified Family Support Specialist (CFSS) required. A minimum high school diploma or General Education Diploma (GED) equivalent is required. Must be the parent or designated primary caregiver of a child/youth with emotional, behavioral, or mental health disorder and experience in navigating child-serving systems. Individuals must have the ability to successfully complete training recognized by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) on how to assist other caregivers in fostering resiliency in their child/youth based on the principles of resiliency and recovery within three months of employment and be able to acquire their Certification from TDMHSAS within one year of employment. Non-profit organization and work history with child-serving systems preferred.

Skills & Knowledge Required:

• Be certified as a Family Support Specialist.
• Self-identify as being or having been the biological parent, adoptive parent, foster parent, or relative caregiver with legal custody of a child or youth with a mental, emotional, behavioral, or co-occurring disorder (TDMHSAS reserves the right to request supporting documentation of diagnosis and/or guardianship);
• Meet specific competencies and ethical conduct requirements.
• Possess minimum work, and/or volunteer experience requirements.
• Possess minimum education and training requirements.
• Pass the written competency course exam.
• Complete minimum continuing education credits annually.
• Knowledge of the service area and resources for children with mental health issues.
• Knowledge and experience with juvenile justice, education, and other child-serving systems.
• Desire to help and support parents of children with behavioral mental health issues, with strong customer service skills.
• Commitment to system of care principles, cultural competency, and effective teamwork.
• Excellent communication, organizational, problem-solving/creative thinking skills.
• Established a support system and access to resources.
• Basic computer and writing skills.
• Ability to travel, access to reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, and current auto insurance required.
• Access to a reliable home internet service is required.

Duties & Responsibilities/Principal Activities:

• Assists the family in navigating various child-serving systems and connecting with resources.
• Provide face-to-face direct services based on the Individualized Care Plan to youth and their families in their homes or communities every week.
• Assists the Care Coordinator in engaging families to secure formal, informal, and natural support to meet the family’s needs.
• Assists families/caregivers in developing skills that help the child function better in the home, school, and community through promoting and modeling a system of care.
• Partners with the Care Coordinator in the monthly Care Planning Team Meeting (CPTM), ensuring family voice and choice, as well as youth voice.
• Monitors the progress of the Plan of Care for successes or barriers toward completion of tasks.
• Assists the family in securing medication management, psychological/psychiatric evaluations, IEP/504 meetings, etc., if needed.
• Models and teach effective advocacy skills and provide caregiver active support and regular visits.
• Attend and participate in local and statewide meetings and workgroups.
• Participate and engage in the ICC team meetings.
• Participate in team-based supervision meetings.
• Ensure client information is secure and consistent with HIPAA requirements.
• Other duties and tasks as assigned.

Monthly

• Assist the Care Coordinator with the monthly report (due by the 5th of each month)
• Turn in mileage report and reimbursement request due before the 2nd of the following month or as soon as travel is over for the month.

Every 12 Months

• Relias Training
• Ensure that CFSS certification stays active and attend eligible training for CEUs; submit renewal information every two years.