Family Support Specialist

About the role

The Family Support Specialist works with an assigned case load of families to provide a full range of services, including parent support and education, enrollment/eligibility, health and social services, and other case management functions.

Responsibilities

• Develops and maintains positive working relationships with parents and families in programs.
• Works with an assigned caseload of parents on a full range of services, including parent support and education, enrollment and eligibility, health services, social services, referrals and other case management functions.
• Implements a designated parent education/involvement curriculum model and works with parents to support and enhance their role of first teacher with their child (ren).
• Reaches out to parents to share activities from the curriculum for the parent to do with their child (ren).
• Supports and partners with parents in positive role modeling. Helps parents build their skills as parents in order to support the growth, development and education of their child (ren).
• Provides in-house supportive services to parents and families on a short-term basis, as appropriate and under the supervision of the position's supervisor.
• Makes referrals to outside agencies and follows up on referrals, as appropriate.
• Participates in staffing associated with an individualized planning.
• Leverages resources and services for children, youth, and families in all programs.
• Learns and acts on liaison between agency staff and external organizations that provide social services.
• Advocates on behalf of children, youth, and families.
• Implements informational seminars and support services sessions for parents which promote positive family relationships; address parental concerns; disseminate information; and provide a comfortable forum for parents to share and receive support and feedback.
• Does intakes and completes paperwork and documentation of eligibility for HeadStart, Subsidized Child Care, Child and Adult Care Food Program, and all other contractual and funding sources. Completes required tasks to maintain various eligibility functions for various programs.
• Maintains files and documentation to ensure eligibility.
• Works with parents to support the good health of their child (ren) including required physicals, immunizations, and other health functions. Collects documentation and enters that into tracking systems.
• Works with parents on social services functions, such as screenings, assessments, and family partnerships. Supports parents in their efforts to meet their goals. Documents this work as required.
• Documents and form required by funding sources, licensing and other regulatory agencies, as part of intake and throughout the family's involvement in the program.
• Maintains record keeping that ensure agency documentation of compliance with all contract performance and other eligibility standards. Responsible for the timely and accurate completion of all required statistical reports for the assigned program.
• Maintains confidentiality and professionalism in all work and ensures that all required forms are complete and in a secure location for all enrolled families. Adheres to the agency's confidentiality policy and other program policies.
• Works positively and professionally as part of the support services team, and with co-workers.
• Works in cooperation with program coordinators and other staff to ensure provision of coordinated services to parents, children and families as well as smooth transitions of children from one program to another.
• Sets continuously to enhance his/her skills in working with parents and families.
• Makes good use of supervision and brings issues to his/her supervisor in a timely manner.
• Participates in workshops and trainings in order to develop and enhance knowledge of program goals and objectives.
• Maintains current knowledge of best practice, rules and policies related to various programs.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• BSW in social work or related social service field.
• Demonstrated ability to work positively and professionally with parents and families.
• Demonstrated ability to manage the full range of tasks involved in this position.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Clerical and record keeping competence.
• Demonstrated computer skills.
• Bilingual proficiency as indicated for program needs.
• Must be able to analyze data operate a computer.
• Must have command of the English language and grammar, both written and verbal.

Qualifications

• Must be able to analyze data operate a computer.
• Must have command of the English language and grammar, both written and verbal.

Skills

• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.

Benefits

Health Insurance (medical, dental, vision)
Retirement savings plan (401(k))
Paid Time Off (vacations, sick leave, holidays)
Employee Assistance Program
2025-26-CRCL-Benefits-Guide.pdf
CRCL-2025-26-Bi-Weekly-Rate-Sheet.pdf