Family Support Specialist

Family Support Specialist, Full-Time

Reports To: Family Engagement Manager

Status: Exempt

Work Hours: At least one evening per week

Salary: $45,000 to $55,000 Commensurate with degree, experience and licensure

Dates Updated: 10-17-25

SUMMARY:

The Family Support Specialist provides direct service to children, youth and their parents who participate in WSCC programs or come to the agency in need. The FSS supports and assists the family by linking them to resources; assessing family needs, setting goals, and developing individualized service plans (ISPs) for the children and/or youth, advocating for children/youth; and providing parenting education and support. Completes file documentation and reports on results and outcomes. Contributes to and participates in WSCC Family Engagement department programs and distributions.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Conducts family needs assessments and intake process as requested with program children, youth and their parents either in office, in home, or virtually.

· Develops and implements child and/or youth individualized service plans that address their needs.

• Identifies supportive services needed to achieve long and short-term goals and provides and/or accesses applicable supportive services and resources. Accompany participants to appointments as needed.

· Facilitates referrals, enrollments, and coordination of needed services, including Project ACT, Head Start and other day care providers, Early Head Start, Behavioral Health, Recreation Programs, etc. Assists with application for needed resources as requested.

Serves as a liaison between the parent and school, and advocates for special educational needs, such as transportation, gifted and talented programs, or special educational programs.

• Conducts home visits and/or regular contact with families to accomplish ISP tasks, review ISP progress and modify plans as needed to ensure positive outcomes.

· Facilitates parent and family education programs (Active Parenting: First Five Years) with parent and/or family.

· Co-facilitates children and youth groups offered by Family Engagement.

· Provides educational resources for parents that will increase their knowledge of child development and related issues concerning children, especially those in crisis.

· Communicates and collaborates with other professionals – inter- and intra-agency, and FE department to provide consistent and effective services.

• Establishes and maintains a positive working relationship with children, youth and parents. Enhances a Trauma Informed Service Environment. Treats all clients with respect, dignity and hospitality. Maintains a high level of customer service.
• Supports the development and implementation of internal program offerings that strengthen family relationships and promotes family wellness.
• Prepares and maintains case notes and files that are adequate to demonstrate efforts of program participant and his/her FSS. Ensures compliance with productivity standards and documentation for agency, funding and accreditation requirements by maintaining and reporting accurate and timely documentation and statistical data within the Apricot clinical record system.

· Works with volunteers who assist with children and/or family activities.

• Ability to perform work that requires advanced knowledge (beyond high school) and that is predominantly intellectual in character and consistently includes the exercise of discretion and independent judgment.
• Attends staff trainings, outside trainings relevant to this position, i.e. Active Parenting and Strengthening Families, and community events and meetings as necessary.

· Performs other duties of a similar nature as may be required and/or assigned – to include assisting in the implementation of Family Engagement Programs and Distributions.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree with specialization in social, behavioral or human services
• Minimum of two (2) years’ experience in provision of social services to children, youth and their families.
• Licensed Social Worker

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

· Possess knowledge and skills of child development, domestic violence dynamics, and effects of crisis and trauma on children, youth and their families.

• Strong communications skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and engagement skills.
• Experience with crisis intervention and/or mediation.
• Good knowledge of community resources.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Strong computer skills. Effective with computer software and able to travel and work remotely. Proficient with Microsoft and experience with virtual platforms, such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams.
• Understanding and supportive of a trauma-informed system of care.
• Experience working directly with people from diverse, racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to communicate specifically with an audience from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Valid Ohio driver’s license with good driving record and proof of insurance.
• Availability to work at least one evening per week or as needed to service families.
• Familiarity with working from a Strengthening Families Framework.
• Certified to perform CPR.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and / or crawl.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. While performing the duties of this position, the employee travels by automobile and is exposed to changing weather conditions.

This position requires the employee to work with a diverse population, therefore, there may be exposure to potentially infectious material. Other exposures could include cleaning supplies, chemicals involved in pest control, paint and other materials used in building maintenance.

It is the policy of West Side Catholic Center to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with a disability who are either applicants for employment or are current employees.

Should you require any assistance or reasonable accommodation to complete this application or participate in interviews, please make a note on the application or notify the interviewer.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.

All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills aptitudes and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills or abilities.

To understand responses to traumatic life events, the concept of a trauma informed environment, vicarious trauma and the need for self-care.

We are committed to promoting Diversity, Inclusion, and Equitythroughout our organization and culture. We strive to understand and appreciate the individuality of every employee and create a better place to work for all. We nurture a culture where everyone positively acknowledges equity through action and is aware, understanding, and appreciative of diversity.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.

West Side Catholic Center is pleased to be an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).

Pay: $45,000.00 - $55,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 403(b) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $45,000 - $55,000