Family Support Specialist (Bilingual Spanish or Cantonese)

Job Details

Description

Family Support Specialist (Bilingual Spanish or Cantonese)

Role:

Under the supervision of the Clinical Supervisor, the Family Support Specialist’s primary responsibilities are (a) Provide outreach and engagement to families at risk of child abuse and neglect; (b) Conduct screenings for challenges such as safety risks, child development, substance abuse and depression; (c) Develop family care plans in collaboration with the families; (d) Assist families in meeting goals they have established; (e) Collaborate with the support team members and other stakeholders; and (f) Complete all required documentation. Starting pay is commensurate with relevant experience above the minimum requirements.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Outreach and Engagement to families at risk of child abuse and neglect
• Conduct safety, child development, substance abuse and depression screens
• Develop the Family Care Plan in collaboration with families
• Conduct home and community based visits with families
• Assists family with accessing and providing linkages to needed services
• Psycho-education including increasing advocacy skills in families to obtain services and support
• Increase awareness about the importance of parent/professional partnerships
• Assist families in increasing their support network on behalf of the needs of their child
• Assist families in their understanding of their role with their child
• Provide one to one support of the parent, role modeling advocacy for the parent; acting as a sounding board, motivator and coach for the parent.
• Participate in children’s mental health treatment teams and represent the parent’s perspective
• Maintain accurate case documentation and complete all paperwork by deadlines
• Assist in the ongoing development and evaluation of the child’s treatment plan
• Attend all program meetings and trainings as required by the County, ARS Program, and A Better Way
• Participate in related parent education trainings and workshops
• Facilitate Parent Cafés and other parent training events
• Participate in weekly individual and group supervision.
• Perform all other duties as necessary for the good of the program and agency.
• Must be Fluent in Spanish or Cantonese
• Master’s degree in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology or related field preferred
• Bachelor’s degree with equivalent of 3 to 5 years’ experience in Social Services, Mental health field or related field accepted
• Experience providing Home-based, Family Driven care to multi stressed families involved in Child Welfare
• Ability to work directly with parents and to collaborate with Alameda County staff in order to deliver appropriate and supportive services to families.
• Ability to engage cross-culturally with diverse clientele and community partners, providing culturally relevant and sensitive support.
• Personal experience connecting with community resources and ability to support families in accessing all needed community resources.
• Willingness to engage in personal and professional development in order to develop new skills and meet the challenges of the position.
• Ability to engage professionally with parents, supervisors, peers, and County staff.
• Experience in working with families with complex trauma
• Specialized training in Substance Abuse/Recovery preferred
• Experience in Motivational Interviewing and/or commitment to receive training in this area.
• Experience in computer skills
• Valid California driver’s license.
• Reliable transportation and proof of insurance.
• Ability to pass various background checks needed to work with children
• Willingness to work overtime as needed, including some evening and weekend events.

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in an office.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and fingers to handle, feel, or operate objects, tools or controls, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to stand, talk and hear.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 9:00 to 5:00 ;Some evenings and weekends may be required.

Travel

Local travel to various worksites is required.

Work Authorization/Security Clearance

Employees must pass a background check and receive TB and health clearances prior to employment.

Benefits offered to A Better Way staff:

• Medical
• Dental
• Employee Assistance Program
• Vision
• Life Insurance and AD&D
• Retirement 403(b) Plan (A Better Way offers a 403(b) plan which is 100% funded by the employee).
• Time Off: A Better Way has very generous time off policies. We have 11 paid holidays each year. You will also start accruing PTO from your first day. You accrue up to four weeks per year of PTO in your first two years of employment and five weeks per year for three years or more of employment. A Better Way also offers several other types of unpaid and paid leave.
• Training and more!

A Better Way is committed to workforce diversity. Qualified applicants will receive full consideration without regard to age, race, color, ethnic background, religion, gender, sexual orientation, HIV-status, national origin or disability. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.