Family Support Specialist/Health (BFSS/H)

Position: Family Support Specialist/Health (BFSS/H)

Position Summary:

The Family Support Specialist/Health (BFSS/H), with the knowledge of the building Principals, is responsible for identifying and enrolling students from the Buffalo Public Schools, Buffalo Charter Schools, and in the City of Buffalo or the surrounding community, who meet the eligibility requirements for New York State’s Children’s Health Home program. The FSS/H will work directly with students and families who are experiencing difficulties with medical, developmental, behavioral, or social-emotional needs whose primary language may or may not be English. FSS/H will work with a child/youth and caregivers when appropriate, to address social determinants of health which may be a barrier to school engagement, academic success, and/or overall quality of life. The FSS/H will develop a Plan of Care with children and youth enrolled that focuses on goals and action steps which are client-driven and will increase their ability to be healthy and successful.

The Family Support Specialist/Health position complements existing BPS School Support Teams and will not reduce, interfere with, or perform services provided by any BPS employees. The function of the FSS/H role is to provide services and supports to those students who have been referred by school personnel (e.g., Student Support Team members: school counselors, attendance teachers, social workers, and administrators). The FSS/H will also accept referrals from the overseeing Health Home agency, as well as community partners. The function of the FSS/H role is to reduce utilization associated with avoidable and preventable inpatient hospital stays, to reduce overutilization of emergency room visits, and to improve academic and well-being outcomes for children and youth between 0-21 years of age. Eligibility for services is based on either two chronic conditions (physical, behavioral, or developmental) or one single qualifying condition as determined by the Department of Health. The child or youth must also have Medicaid or a Managed Care Plan to qualify for services.

Major Responsibilities/Tasks

• Work directly with eligible children following a referral from Buffalo Public Schools, community partners, parents/caregivers, and/or Health Home agency.
• Collaborate with school building administrators, school nurses, student support team members (social workers, guidance counselors, school psychologists, etc.), and other departments within Say Yes Buffalo to support children and youth in the program or potentially eligible for services.
• Participate in on-site collaboration, facilitation, and enrollment of referred students and families with identified service providers, including, but not limited to, satellite mental health clinics, in-school legal and health services, after-school providers, and other identified services.
• Participate in relevant school meetings, such as Tier III Problem Solving meetings or Return from Suspension meetings.
• Document all case-specific activities, including outreach, assessment, plan of care development, client progress, home and family visits
• Support families whose primary language is not English to increase communication with enrolled children/youth’s care team (doctors, counselors, teachers, community programs, etc.) to effectively increase a child/youth’s overall ability to be successful and healthy.
• FSS/H will engage students during the school day, but will also engage families in the home and outside of normal school hours as needed.
• Administer Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths-NY as a comprehensive assessment tool to determine the acuity of care needed.
• Develop a comprehensive client-centered health assessment inclusive of medical, behavioral, and social service needs.
• Conduct case conferences with multidisciplinary team members, including primary care physicians, whenever possible or applicable, to ensure changes in medical/behavioral conditions and treatment are appropriately addressed.
• Link and refer children/youth to needed services to support the overall Plan of Care goal and objectives.
• Serve as liaison between service providers and school building staff and administration, including informing school staff regarding the Say Yes services and programs offered in the building and how to refer students and families.
• FSS/H will participate in community events, including community resource fairs and other outreach events, with some non-traditional hours required.
• Be a part of the school culture by supporting school initiatives and events, promoting a college-going atmosphere, and collaborating with school staff on innovative ways to address student and family needs.
• Other duties as assigned by your Family Support Specialist/Health Manager and Say Yes Administration.

Salary 53K

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or related field with 2-3 years of experience in case management or care coordination.
• Health Home experience preferred but not required.
• Bilingual - Spanish Speaking a plus.
• Valid NYS Driver's License
• Believe and practice Say Yes Racial Equity Statement, “Equity will be achieved when we can all just wake up and live freely; be valued and respected; live free from structural impediments based off of perceived racial characteristics; and have fair representation and opportunity.”