Family Support Specialist

Reports To: Healthy Families America, Program Manager Number of Openings: Two (2) Positions Available Summary of Position Reporting to the Supervisor of Healthy Families America, this Family Support Specialist is responsible for home‑based intervention services, referral, and coordination of activities for families of children prenatal through age five through the Healthy Families America (HFA) Program. The specialist collaborates with community partners to achieve outcomes for children and families. Essential Job Responsibilities General Responsibilities Accept assignments from the HFA Supervisor and contact families within two business days. Work as a team member with all Saginaw ISD staff, parents and program partners to implement a program that is meaningful and meets the individual needs of each child and family. Maintain strict confidentiality with respect to HFA families and staff in accordance with established policies and procedures and other legal requirements, i.e., FERPA and HIPAA. Build collaborative community relationships, leading to enhanced referrals and program outcomes. Complete all paperwork, assessment, and screenings within designated timelines. Make CPS referrals when appropriate and report all referrals to the immediate supervisor and manager. Meet HFA required training components, including attendance and participation in conferences, seminars, coaching and mentoring, and in‑service training, keeping up‑to‑date with developmentally appropriate practice, best practice, and evidence‑based practice for children and families. Track all training on required forms. Demonstrate needed computer skills: proficient in Microsoft Windows Word, Google (Docs), Excel, email communications, and the Internet. Actively participate in efforts to sustain Healthy Families America including program marketing, recruitment, public outreach and communication activities. Respond to all family needs in a culturally sensitive and competent manner; seek additional training and resources to support this strategy. Perform other related duties as required by the Supervisor and Director of Early Childhood and Parenting Services. Family Support Specialist Responsibilities Establish and maintain a trusting relationship with families by providing regular contact through home visits, with support from the supervisor. Implement assigned curriculum with each family, applying working knowledge and skills to support the well‑being of the child and to strengthen the parent’s capacity to nurture the child and family. Perform developmental screenings, health care and immunization monitoring, and other evaluative measures as required. Provide parents with information on appropriate developmental interventions or further assessments as needed. Asses for appropriate community service referrals; assist with and/or coordinate service delivery and agency resources with SISD partners and other community services providers. Work with each family to establish and implement a family support plan with goals, objectives, and activities to meet individual child and parent needs. Record home‑visit content, parent‑child observations and activities as required. Assist families as needed with applications for programs such as medical or financial assistance. Provide home‑visiting services to families in adherence to all standards established by Healthy Families America and the Council on Accreditation. Conduct home visits to assess family needs and promote positive parent‑child bonding, completing all paperwork and assessments within designated timelines. Follow up on all family needs related to referrals, home visiting, including rescheduling home visits, following up on basic needs of families, and documenting all efforts. Maintain family records in accordance with agency and funding source requirements, including an online database of each child’s developmental progress, behavior and health, and parental concerns and contacts made for special needs. Coordinate community services including but not limited to housing programs, child care and respite programs, employment training and continuing education programs, referrals to shelters, and alcohol and drug treatment services. Document and report all referrals and outcomes of referrals. Minimum Requirements Bachelor’s Degree in education, psychology, counseling, social work, or related behavioral health field required. Master’s Degree preferred. Must have experience working with an array of family structures, including experience working with pregnant individuals, infants and children. Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with families in a diverse environment. Must have and be able to demonstrate knowledge of pregnancy, prenatal development and child development. Must have experience working with families with varied individualized needs. Must demonstrate a working knowledge of case documentation standards and requirements. Must be flexible in scheduling and able to work limited nights and weekends as needed and necessary. Demonstrated ability to work effectively on a family support team and also be able to work well independently. Must demonstrate an extensive knowledge of community resources. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Must display initiative and enthusiasm in performance of essential job responsibilities. Must be non‑judgmental, show compassion, empathy, and insightfulness in the performance of essential job responsibilities. Ability to establish a trusting relationship in working with families and community agencies. Must demonstrate problem solving and practical skills. Notice of Non‑Discrimination Saginaw Intermediate School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender and gender identity, disability, age, or national origin in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non‑discrimination policies: Executive Director of Human Resources Saginaw Intermediate School District 3933 Barnard Road, Saginaw, MI 48603 Telephone: View phone number on click.appcast.io, Fax: View phone number on click.appcast.io Email: View email address on click.appcast.io Web: #J-18808-Ljbffr Saginaw Intermediate School District