Family Support Specialist - Northwest Local Schools (4hr)

Stark County Educational Service Center

Family Support Specialist

Supervisor: CARE Team Coordinator and Building Principal

Summary/Objective: This position has the general responsibility for being a liaison between the school, the family, and community service agencies/organizations. Buildings with a Family Support Specialist will need to follow the CARE Team model.


Minimum Qualifications :

• 18 years of age
• High School diploma or equivalent
• Hold or complete a current Ohio BCI and Federal Background check free of disqualifying infractions
• Comply with drug-free workplace rules and board policies
• Participate (and pass where applicable) in all required training, including but not limited to: Bloodborne Pathogens, Crisis Intervention, Educator Ethics, etc.
• Embody high ethical standards, integrity, and accept responsibility for decisions and conduct
• Adhere to the Stark County Educational Service Center (SCESC) Governing Board policies/administrative guidelines/staff handbook, policies of the assigned district/worksite, and to the Licensure Code of Professional Conduct for Educators
• Promote the proper use, care, and security of SCESC property and report misconduct, vandalism, equipment malfunctions, and other concerns
• Advance the professional image of the SCESC and affiliate districts
• Establish and maintain professional relationships with coworkers and colleagues promoting a cohesive work environment
• Report suspected child abuse and/or neglect to supervisor and/or civil authorities as required by law
• Ensure the safety of all students
• Maintain confidentiality of student related information

Essential Functions:

• Acts as a service liaison between students, families, and school personnel, and community organizations
• Assesses family needs and intervenes in a helpful manner with the objective to empower families and promote a supportive relationship between the school staff, family, and community that facilitates productive service planning and delivery
• Provides outreach and mentoring to students and their families to promote family engagement and school success
• Demonstrates a high level of cultural competency and cultural sensitivity
• Acts as an integral part of the CARE Team by attending all meetings, following all CARE Team protocol, and working closely with the CARE Team student and family referrals
• Organizes and plans effectively
• Efficiently operate Google Applications including Gmail, Drive, Sheets, Docs, etc.
• Demonstrates interpersonal and leadership skills that promotes communication and teamwork
• Communicates effectively both verbally and in writing
• Functions as a productive member of a team
• Connects families to school and community supports, services, and resources
• Meets with a family in their chosen location or home to promote awareness of services in the most comfortable setting for families
• Maintains and assesses current knowledge of available resources in the community and how to connect families to those resources
• Encourages family involvement in the school and community to promote a greater sense of connection
• Participates in FSS meetings and trainings to build skills and gain better knowledge base of resources and understanding of laws supporting confidentiality issues
• Completes all necessary paperwork for monthly data collection: reports, forms, mileage, work log
• Develops and prioritizes information to be reported to CARE Team Director, designated school administrator, school counselor and CARE Team building leader
• Willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the school and families served
• Working knowledge of positive behavior interventions
• Perform other specific duties as assigned

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing essential job functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Working Conditions: Promote safety, exercise caution, and comply with safety regulations and district/educational service center policies/procedures when involved in the following situations:

• Risk of exposure to blood-borne pathogens, bodily fluids, and/or communicable diseases
• Potential for adverse contact by aggressive students
• Exposure to adverse weather conditions and temperature extremes
• Balancing, bending, crouching, kneeling, reaching, and standing
• Lifting, carrying, and moving work-related supplies and/or equipment
• Operate and/or ride in a vehicle
• Work at various heights, in confined spaces, and/or invariable/diminished lighting
• Report misconduct or violations of policy and procedures to the direct supervisor, appropriate administrator, or legal authority (mandated reporting)

Performance Evaluation:


Job performance is evaluated according to the policy and procedures adopted by the Stark County Educational Service Center.

The Stark County Educational Service Center is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, age, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, gender, religion, marital status, military status, or disability. Individuals are selected for employment based only on merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence. This job description is not intended to be a complete list of required duties and it is understood by the employee that other related and reasonable duties will be required if requested by an immediate supervisor or administrative staff member. This document is subject to change in response to student need, staff factors, funding variables, modified operating procedures, program/curriculum changes, and unforeseen events. The employee is expected to follow all policies and procedures in accordance with the Stark County Educational Service Center and district or department assignment.