Family Support Specialist YVHF

This is a non-exempt, hourly position based on a full-time schedule of 40 hours per week. The anticipated start date is October 5, 2026.

About the Role

The Family Support Specialist (FSS) will provide assessments for intensive home visitation services to overburdened expectant parents and parents of newborns. The goal is to help reduce stress factors that could lead to child abuse and neglect while increasing protective factors to promote healthy childhood outcomes. Services are provided to families enrolling prenatally or at the time of birth up to five years of age. The FSS will also lead community outreach efforts to inform local providers and community members about the YVHF program and drive referrals.

This position provides services and support to individuals residing in Wilkes and Yadkin Counties. Regular travel within the service area may be required.

Responsibilities

Service Provision

• Provide in-home assessments to families struggling with issues such as depression, domestic violence, and mental health concerns.
• Work flexible hours to accommodate families’ schedules for assessments.
• Initiate and enroll families during the prenatal period or before the baby’s third month of infancy.
• Deliver family-centered and strength-based services through supportive, trusting relationships.
• Assess whether families receive needed healthcare services, including prenatal and postpartum care, contraceptive use, well-checks, and immunizations for infants/children.
• Provide follow-up information to referral agents and maintain contact with community referral sources.

Program Operations

• Attend training upon hiring and throughout employment to develop professional skills.
• Meet with a supervisor minimally once weekly for at least 60 minutes for case management.
• Participate in bimonthly staff meetings.
• Plan and execute quarterly group workshops on parenting for enrolled families and the broader community.
• Communicate regularly with the YVHF Advisory Committee and lead quarterly meetings.
• Send out Staff, Parent, and Community Satisfaction Surveys annually and compile de-identified responses for the Annual Review of Cultural Competency.

Documentation

• Document all assessments and services provided.
• Document families’ consent or refusal of CVHF services.
• Track outcome measures used to evaluate the program’s effectiveness.

Cultural Awareness

• Adjust personal performance to ensure cultural sensitivity in interactions with families and community members.
• Complete agency Cultural Competency training with an evaluation score of 80% or better at the end of pre-service and annually.

General Expectations

• Contribute to and enhance the company mission.
• Prioritize and plan work responsibilities appropriately.
• Attend and successfully complete all required trainings and meetings.
• Perform quality work within given deadlines and expectations, with or without direct supervision.
• Comply with all applicable policies, practices, and procedures; report non-compliance and unsafe activities to a supervisor.
• Interact professionally with employees, volunteers, families, children, and the community.
• Serve effectively as a team contributor on all assignments.
• Utilize effective communication skills both verbally and in writing; provide and receive feedback constructively.
• Work independently while coordinating efforts with other team members.
• Demonstrate sensitivity to the cultural, ethnic, and religious views of the children and families served.

Requirements

• Minimum of a high school diploma and knowledge of infant and child development.
• Preference given to individuals with Infant, Toddler, and Family Specialist Certification and/or bilingual abilities.
• Experience and/or knowledge of parenting and child development.
• Ability to convey information to families, professional clinicians, and community agencies.
• Ability to work with a variety of individuals and professionals representing various disciplines related to client needs.
• Embrace the concepts of family-centered and strength-based services.
• Basic computer and math skills.
• Cultural sensitivity to children and families and support for cultural diversity.
• Effective communication, decision-making, interpersonal, leadership, and professionalism skills.
• Valid North Carolina Driver’s license.
• Must pass pre-employment drug screening, criminal background check, HCPR check, and driving record check.

Physical Requirements

• Regularly required to sit, use hands and fingers, handle objects/tools, talk, and hear.
• Frequently required to reach with hands or arms, stand, walk, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities include close, distance, color, and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Essential physical functions include reading, typing, writing, speaking, using the telephone, and prolonged sitting at a desk while working on a computer.
• Must be able to operate a vehicle for job duties and maintain a valid NC driver’s license with insurance.
• Work environment includes slight to moderate office-related noises; not exposed to extreme weather conditions, toxic fumes, or airborne particles.
• Occasional travel to different locations in the course of work.

Pay

Annualized earnings are approximately $36,290 per year based on a full-time schedule of 40 hours per week. Actual earnings may vary depending on hours worked and are subject to applicable payroll deductions.