Family Support Specialist

Term of Service: 10/19/2026 to 9/30/2027 (50 weeks)

Slot Type and Minimum Service Hours: Full Time; 1700 Hours; 36 hours per week on average

Living Allowance: $22,000, disbursed in equal bi-weekly increments across the service term

Educational Award: $7,395, awarded upon successful completion of hours at the end of service term.

MEMBER DETAILS

Host Site: United Against Poverty - 100 Families Initiative

Position Title: Family Support Specialist

Reports To: Dr. Eleanore Kue, Executive Director

ABOUT THE HOST SITE

United Against Poverty brings together nonprofits, government agencies, churches, businesses, and community partners through the 100 Families Initiative to help families move from crisis to stability. Through coordinated services, Family Advocates, and the HopeHub community information exchange, we connect families to resources addressing housing, employment, healthcare, financial stability, and other critical needs.

MEMBER IMPACT

The member will contribute by connecting families to needed community resources, supporting Family Advocates, conducting outreach to nonprofit organizations, agencies, churches, and businesses, and strengthening the 100 Families Alliance. They will also help expand community partnerships, coordinate referrals and follow-up, support HopeHub participation, and assist with Alliance meetings and community events. Their service will increase access to resources, strengthen collaboration among partners, and help create a more coordinated system of support for families.

During their term of service, the member will develop skills in community outreach, family engagement, resource navigation, partnership development, and nonprofit collaboration. They will gain hands-on experience working with diverse organizations and helping families move from crisis toward stability.

POSITION DETAILS

Responsibilities: The Family Support Specialist’s responsibilities include:

Family Assessment & Goal Setting:

• Conduct needs assessments for each assigned family, identifying areas such as housing, employment, health, and education.
• Develop individualized action plans with achievable goals to guide each family’s path to stability.

Resource Navigation:

• Connect families to local resources, including housing, healthcare, employment training, childcare, and financial assistance programs.
• Ensure families understand and can access support services, advocating on their behalf when needed.
• Respond to urgent family needs and work with community partners to address critical situations as they arise.

Weekly Check-Ins:

• Conduct weekly check-ins with each family (in-person, phone, or virtual) to monitor progress and provide encouragement.
• Offer practical support and encouragement to help families meet their weekly goals.

Documentation & Reporting:

• Maintain detailed records of family assessments, interactions, progress, and outcomes.
• Report weekly to the Program Manager on family progress and any challenges encountered.

HopeHub / Collaboration with Community Partners

• Build strong relationships with community organizations to coordinate services and address gaps in support for families.
• Establish and maintain relationships with stakeholders to join the HopeHub community information exchange

Minimum Knowledge and Skills

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Competency in record-keeping, maintaining detailed notes, and tracking family progress over time.
• Ability to work with families from diverse backgrounds with compassion and respect.
• Knowledge of local resources and services available to families in need, or the ability to quickly learn and navigate these resources.
• Organized, reliable, and able to serve independently (with appropriate supervision).

Desired Knowledge and Skills

• Experience in social work, family services, or a related field.
• Some understanding of trauma-informed care and experience working with families in crisis
• Some understanding of family dynamics, with the ability to approach each family’s unique situation with empathy and without judgment.
• Ability to problem-solve, to assess family needs and provide tailored solutions, connecting families to appropriate resources.
• Competency in record-keeping, maintaining detailed notes, and tracking family progress over time.

Service Conditions:

• Hybrid: in person and teleservice
• In-person location: 916 S Main St, Eaton Rapids, MI 48827
• Laptop/computer will be provided for AmeriCorps member
• In-person environment: shared office space
• AmeriCorps volunteers are required to have reliable transportation

Service Schedule:

• This is a hybrid schedule M-F between 9a-5pm, requiring in-person participation for meetings, outreach, and family support. Schedule flexibility can be shifted based on agreements with site supervisor. Teleservice may be available for appropriate tasks.
• Members are required to participate and attend monthly ICHD Public Health AmeriCorps professional development, quarterly ICHD AmeriCorps professional development, participate in events including national service days, and regional and local service projects
• Members are allotted 120 hours (3 weeks) of personal leave during service term but lose possible days to earn the required number of hours needed to successfully complete the term of service. There are additional benefits offered if the member has a compelling personal circumstance

AMERICORPS PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

• Participate in monthly ICHD PHA AmeriCorps Training and Professional Development in topics like grant-writing and resume development
• Participate in National Days of Service (9/11 Day of Service, MLK Day of Service, Russ Mawby Regional Day of Service, Youth Volunteer Day)
• Attend AmeriCorps orientation at the Ingham County Health Department
• All members will participate in an end of service performance evaluation
• All members will be required to submit bi-weekly time sheets, quarterly data reports, and all other data tasks requested by the Host Site

Public Health AmeriCorps Members should possess:

• a desire and ability to work with a diverse group of people;
• a willingness to learn and serve others;
• an ability to work independently and in a team environment successfully, and
• strong organizational, writing, and oral communication skills, and a high attention to detail

AmeriCorps Program Eligibility

• be 17 years or older at the start of service (no upper age limit)
• be a U.S. citizen, U.S. National, or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien
• Agree to and pass a national service criminal history check with eligibility verification in accordance with 45 CFR 2540.202.

AmeriCorps Commitment and Benefits

• Loan forbearance and interest repayment available for eligible loans
• End of Service Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $7,395.00
• Health insurance
• Childcare assistance
• 120 hours (3 weeks) of personal leave during service term, provided hours are on pace for completion
• $100 monthly Meijer food gift card for each month of service (up to $1200 total)
• $25 per month allowance for mileage reimbursement during each month of service for service-related travel
• Up to $182 available in professional development funds
• Member Assistance Program ( link to learn more )
• Hands-on experience in Public Health

Host Site - Professional Development and Training:

• No workshops or trainings are expected throughout the duration of this service agreement.