Family Support Specialist

Family Support Specialist

The Family Support Specialist, through PPW (Pregnant and Post-Partum Women) Services, will report to the Women's Coordinator and with a dotted-line relationship to the Project Director of Women and Children's Services. This position plays a critical role in supporting pregnant and parenting women in treatment, as well as their family unit, through a specialized, person-centered care model. This position ensures a continuum of care for clients, their children, and families focusing on maternal health, family stability, and early childhood development. The Specialist facilitates comprehensive assessments, coordinates community-based services, and provides ongoing support from admission through twelve months post-discharge.

The Family Support Specialist's responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Evaluate the client's needs upon admission to collaborate with them in setting goals and determining the level of support needed to achieve those goals.
• Continue to follow up with clients from time of admission through twelve months post-discharge to ensure that their basic needs are addressed, including completing required documentation to help them move forward and achieve their goals.
• Provide referrals for any and all household members that can benefit from community resources.
• Assures clients who may discharge early are prepared with resources.
• Liaison with community services to assist the client with identified goals and needs.
• Liaison with family, friends, partners, and outside resources to create a supportive environment and ensure continuity of care.
• Educate the participants on behavioral health, promoting healthy resources, and daily skills training to provide the highest quality person-centered care.
• Work closely with other members of the clinical team in addressing daily concerns, intervening if crisis intervention is required, and offering additional directives for care to provide the highest quality person-centered care.
• Uphold participant confidentiality in accordance with company policies and procedures and local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
• Maintain case files and other required documentation according to agency and grant policies.
• Regularly identify and maintain relationships with housing, employment, medical, parenting support and other community resources.
• Coordinate personal, legal, and administrative appointments (e.g., family court, CYFD meetings, WIC, early intervention, parenting resources, etc.) that directly support maternal health, child welfare, family reunification, and long-term stability, as part of comprehensive case management.
• Assist in administering and collecting all SAMSHA-required tools and assessments and provide referrals in alignment with the grant's requirements.
• Ensure all documentation is completed in a timely manner.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Women's Coordinator.

Skills/Knowledge/Abilities:

1. Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate with diverse populations
2. Cultural and diversity understanding and awareness
3. Interpersonal skills that promote and encourage teamwork
4. Advanced knowledge of HIPAA and confidentiality
5. Advanced knowledge of behaviors and emotions related to addiction
6. Advanced knowledge of community and referral resources for clients' diverse needs
7. Skills in documenting effective case management notes
8. Proficient use of standard office equipment and systems: phone, copier, Computer skills including Microsoft Office Word and Outlook tools
9. Ability to coordinate volunteer and vocational activities for participants
10. Critical thinking/problem solving
11. Ability to manage a variety of tasks and organize workload
12. Attention to detail
13. Maintain effective professional relationships with all levels within the organization
14. Familiarity with community resources including mental health, social, financial, educational, housing, employment, childcare, and other support that may be required.
15. Ability to build rapport with clients
16. If a recovering person, she/he/They must have successfully maintained a two (2) year period of abstinence from alcohol and other drugs.
17. Unrestricted NM Driver's License

Education and Experience:

1. High School Diploma/GED required
2. Minimum of one year of experience in addiction treatment counseling, case management, or a related role, preferably working with children and families
3. Case Management certification (Preferred) - ACM (Accredited Case Manager), CCM (Certified Case Manager, RN-BC), or CPSW (Certified Peer Support Worker)
4. Current CPR/First Aid Certification (or willingness to become certified)
5. NM Driver's License required.