Family Connection Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

OVERVIEW

Better Together works to end the root causes of poverty, dependency, divorce and child abuse by leveraging the power of the local church to provide struggling families with supportive relationships and meaningful work. Once properly supported, families can achieve independence, stay together and thrive.  

Better Together is seeking a Family Connection Specialist to triage intakes and assessments, cultivate relationships with strategic and community stakeholders, and analyze data and provide reports to leadership. 

The ideal candidate should have demonstrated leadership, communication and organization skills. He or she should be a self-starter who thrives when challenged and is comfortable working remotely and finding creative solutions. 

CULTURE AND FIT

At Better Together, we are a mission-first team that shows up with purpose, humility, and grit. Our culture is shaped by five core values that guide how we lead, how we serve, and how we grow. If these values reflect who you are and how you work, you may be a great fit for our team.

1. We Love Others: We lead with empathy, humility, and integrity. We treat every person with dignity, make people feel seen and valued, and do what’s right even when it’s hard.
   1. Do you treat people with respect, no matter their background or behavior?
   2. Do you make decisions based on what’s best for others, not just yourself?
2. We Choose Gratitude: Gratitude fuels our joy and shapes how we show up. We focus on what’s possible, not what’s missing. We uplift others, celebrate progress, and keep perspective—even in the tough seasons.
   1. Do you stay positive and solutions-focused when challenges arise?
   2. Do you regularly speak encouragement and appreciation to your teammates?
3. We Are Ideal Team Players: We are hungry, humble, and people-smart. We take initiative, lift others up, and work wisely with all kinds of people. The best teams aren’t made of perfect people—they’re made of teachable ones.
   1. Do you take ownership and go the extra mile without being asked?
   2. Are you open to feedback and constantly looking for ways to grow?
4. We Do Hard Things: We don’t quit when things get hard. We press in with courage, keep a growth mindset, and do whatever it takes to get the job done. We don’t waste time on drama—we stay focused on the mission.
   1. Do you rise to challenges with resilience and a clear head?
   2. Do you consistently push through discomfort to deliver results?
5. We’re All In: We carry the mission in our hearts and act like owners. We take full responsibility, build capacity in ourselves and others, and do the work that matters most.
   1. Are you passionate about transforming lives and communities through your work?
   2. Do you take initiative and show up fully—because you believe this mission is worth it?

We don’t hire just for talent. We hire for alignment, character, and commitment to the mission. Expect honest conversations about these values throughout the hiring process.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Family Connection Specialist will have four primary roles, broken down into key responsibilities. They are:

Intake, Triage, and Risk Assessments

• Manage and assess all incoming intakes from the statewide line, community partners, DCF, law enforcement agencies, hospitals, and schools.
• Prioritize cases based on urgency and ensure timely follow-up and resolution.
• Conduct intakes from strategic partners, community partners, and self-referrals to facilitate smooth intake processing and appropriate case handling by conducting interviews with parents, completing intake forms, and determining eligibility for programs and services, 
• Communicate effectively with internal and external teams to provide updates on case progression.

Cultivation of Key Partnerships 

• Build and maintain strong relationships with DCF, law enforcement, hospitals, schools, and other community partners through responsive communication, professionalism, and exceptional customer service.
• Educate community partners on Better Together’s programs, available services, and appropriate referral criteria to encourage timely referrals of families in need of support. 
• Serve as a reliable and accessible point of contact for community partners, ensuring timely responses to inquiries, referrals, and requests for support.
• Provide a positive and seamless experience for families and referral partners by demonstrating empathy, clear communication, follow-through, and a commitment to resolving concerns.
• Collaborate with internal teams to address partner needs, strengthen trust, and ensure consistent, high-quality service delivery.

Data Management & Follow Up

• Track and document all intake information in alignment with organizational standards.
• Ensure data accuracy and maintain up-to-date records for reporting and auditing purposes.
• Coordinate with regional teams to monitor the progress of cases and address any outstanding follow-up tasks.
• Maintain accurate and timely records of client interactions and case notes.
• Ensure compliance with confidentiality policies and data protection regulations.

Family Engagement and Regional Handoff

Demonstrate strong crisis intervention, conflict resolution, and de-escalation skills when working with families experiencing stress, trauma, or challenging circumstances.

• Conduct comprehensive intakes and complete risk assessments to determine needs, identify potential concerns, and guide appropriate service recommendations.
• Identify creative, practical solutions to address immediate family needs, reduce barriers to services, and connect families with appropriate community resources.
• Facilitate seamless handoffs to regional teams, including a clear launch plan, documented risk assessment, and recommended next steps to support timely service delivery and family engagement.
• Develop an initial family service launch plan during intake, identifying immediate needs, appropriate service support, potential volunteers, and next steps to ensure timely support. 
• Engage in concurrent planning by identifying multiple potential solutions and backup options to address family needs, anticipate barriers, and prevent delays in service delivery. 
• Identify potential child safety concerns, assess risk, exercise sound professional judgment, and promptly escalate situations requiring immediate intervention or additional oversight in accordance with organizational policies.
• Ensure timely, consistent follow-up with families and referral partners to improve engagement and increase conversion rates.
• Serve as a subject matter expert on intake procedures, risk assessment, and best practices to promote consistency, efficiency, and quality across the organization.

REQUIREMENTS

• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in social services, human services, healthcare, and or child welfare.  
• Technological requirements: Salesforce and Basecamp.
• Match Better Together’s core values (described above).
• Participate in a rotating on-call schedule to respond to urgent referrals and family needs outside regular business hours, including evenings and weekends. Coordinate with regional leadership to ensure timely responses, appropriate risk assessment, and safe resolution of urgent situations.
• Must maintain regular communication with the team to coordinate efforts and provide updates.
• Ensure accessibility during work hours, including on-call shifts, with a reliable phone.
• Bilingual Preferred

Education:

• A bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work or a related field is preferred.

Related fields of study include, but are not limited to:

• Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
• Bachelor of Science in Human Services (BSHS)