Family Support Specialist

Family Support Specialist

Lynwood, CA 90502

Overview

Salary Range $27.40 - $27.40 Hourly

Description

Family Support Specialist (Healthy Families America) Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm In-person and Office/Field Salary: $27.40 (hourly) Non-Exempt Other Compensation: Employer-paid medical for employee and family, employer-paid dental, vision and group life insurance for employee - estimated value $8,243.28 - $23,823.84/annual Employer-paid sick pay (12 days per year) - estimated value $2,630.40/annual Employer-paid vacation pay (10-20 days per year depending on years of service) - estimated value $2,192.00/annual for first year of service Employer-paid anniversary holiday (1-5 days annually depending on years of service) - estimated value $219.20 annual for first year of service Employer-paid birthday holiday (1 day annually) - estimated value $219.20/annual Clients/Families we serve reside in the South Los Angeles, Compton, Watts and Lynwood area. SHIELDS' mission is to develop, deliver and evaluate culturally sensitive, comprehensive service models that empower and advocate for high-risk families in South Los Angeles.

We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Family Support Specialist to provide comprehensive, long-term support to families participating in the Healthy Families America (HFA) program. The Family Support Specialist will deliver home-based services for up to five (5) years, building trusting relationships with families to strengthen parent-child interactions, enhance parenting skills, improve family support systems, and promote effective problem-solving and decision-making. This role serves as a strong advocate for children and families while ensuring services align with program standards and funder requirements.

Responsibilities include developing individualized Family Service Plans (FSPs), completing required assessments including the Family Assessment Form (FAF), and providing ongoing support, follow-up, referrals, and service coordination. The Family Support Specialist will monitor and evaluate caseloads on an individualized basis, intervene during crisis situations as needed, and provide in-home support through family sessions, one-on-one visits, Team Decision Making (TDM) meetings, and other team meetings. The role also involves interviewing and assessing clients to evaluate social, emotional, medical, psychological, financial, and environmental factors, and making appropriate referrals to community resources.

The ideal candidate will maintain accurate and timely documentation in compliance with Healthy Families America, First5LA, SHIELDS, and funder policies. Participation in weekly case conferences, agency meetings, and required trainings is expected. The Family Support Specialist must maintain strong knowledge of local public and private community resources, eligibility requirements, and cultivate collaborative relationships with referral partners. Additionally, the role provides ongoing early childhood education to families, including guidance on infant and child developmental milestones, ensuring families receive consistent, high-quality, strengths-based support.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform effectively in this role. This includes understanding and complying with Agency policies and procedures, HIPAA regulations, Department of Mental Health standards, and other applicable state and federal guidelines related to service programs. The candidate must possess strong advocacy skills and the ability to communicate ideas clearly and professionally, both verbally and in writing. Proficiency in basic computer applications, including word processing software, is required, along with the ability to use sound judgment, analysis, and experience to make informed decisions.

Candidates must demonstrate a commitment to team collaboration and the philosophies of SHIELDS for Families, while remaining adaptable and responsive to changing program needs through ongoing skill development. The position requires a valid California driver's license, car insurance, car registration, reliable transportation, and a driving record acceptable to the Agency's insurance carrier. The ability to provide services within a culturally sensitive, ethnically informed model of practice, showing respect for diverse communities and clients, is essential. Bilingual skills are preferred.

Typically, these qualifications are met through a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Social Work or a related field, along with experience working with high-risk families, preferably with an emphasis in early childhood education and/or completion of a Community Health Worker certificate program.