Under supervision of the Program Director, the Family Specialist will provide a range of culturally competent; family-centered services that support families participating in the program with healthy lifestyle goals to empower the parent-child relationship, family support systems and community integration. Family Specialist is responsible for providing office and/or support services to families including: intake and assessment; goal planning to facilitate independence and family stability; provide support and education to promote positive parent-child interaction and healthy growth and development; and coordinate with other providers for service needs, referrals and goal planning. The salary is $45,000 - $47,000/Year
KEY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Assess social and psychological needs of families and children and the educational needs of children living at home.
- Conduct family sessions on a monthly basis.
- Assess, develop and coordinate services to families and children.
- Refer families to appropriate resources, including treatment providers (for medical, mental health and dental care), child care and educational resources.
- Monitor school performance of children, by communicating regularly with teachers and other educational professionals.
- Create and lead psycho-educational workshops for families on topics such as child rearing, nutrition, health, and mental health.
- Provide crisis intervention to prevent escalation of high-risk behavior, relapse, hospitalization, and other negative outcomes.
- Acts as a liaison between families and community agencies/referrals, including Administration of Children Services (ACS).
- Ensure that families receive safe, effective, family-centered, timely, efficient, and equitable service.
- Carry a case load; specific number to be determined; and meet with caseload clients on a weekly basis.
- Maintain program case files and other records as 'audit-ready' at all times as required by program funding sources, including but not limited to progress notes, individualized family service plans and psychosocial assessments specific to the family unit.
- Utilize a strengths-based approach; maintain non-judgmental and unbiased approach.
- Facilitate individual, group, and dyadic counseling sessions.
- Work collaboratively with other program staff to develop and conduct parent education activities, family activities, and parent meetings; encourage parents to attend planned activities and meetings
- Tasks may be modified, expanded and/or assigned over time.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
- Bachelor's Degree preferred.
- Associates Degree required with a combination of relevant experience to client population.
- 1-3 years' experience working with the families living in supportive housing.
- Ability to use business acumen to exercise good judgment and decision-making.
- Ability to deal with sensitive issues with diplomacy and discretion
- Must be able to multi task with strong organization sills.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and able to communicate both verbally and in written form.
- Commitment to cultural diversity and sensitivity.
- Ability to maintain a professional demeanor under pressure and operate with a keen sense of urgency and commitment to quality.
- Willingness to perform other related duties as assigned
- Bilingual Spanish Preferred
*Acacia Network is an equal opportunity employer*