Family Support Specialist

Position Summary:

The Family Support Specialist will coordinate and provide services for children and families for all programs operating under the JAFCO FamilyMatters office, serving the greater Philadelphia community (including Southern New Jersey). This person will assist with growing and expanding programming in the local community to help operationalize this expansion effort.

Role and Responsibilities

This person’s job responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Be able to create innovative programs/activities that support the needs of our families and with support from supervisor and team implement these programs.
• Conduct support groups and programs as scheduled by the agency.
• Take part in/be involved in all programs offered to our families, some including nights and weekends.
• Conduct initial intakes on referrals to assess child and family’s strengths, needs, abilities and preferences and complete all required documentation within the necessary time frame.
• Identify and develop service goals/plan and recommendations for the child and family to be reviewed and updated on an on-going basis.
• Schedule regular and on-going home visits and maintain a positive professional relationship with families.
• Provide on-going support and information to families that conform to regulatory and professional standards in congruence with the agency’s mission, vision, and values.
• Flexibility of working hours will be required to meet the child and family’s needs, which include evening (2-3 per week) and weekend hours.
• Maintain an awareness of services available throughout the community and assist families served in accessing appropriate resources.
• Maintain timely case notes, file documentation and required paperwork per agency policy.
• Conduct supervised visitations as needed, possibly to include evenings and weekends, and prepare visitation summary and court reports.
• Attend court hearings, IEP and other school meetings or any other provider meeting related to the child and family as needed to advocate for the families.
• Communicate with school, psychiatrist, therapist, pediatrician, and other professionals working with the child and family to help ensure care is coordinated.
• Mindfully integrate the Trauma Informed Care Model and Person-Centered Approach into all procedures, practices, and daily interactions
• Ability to work as part of a team in collaboration with all clinical departments.
• Attend weekly individual supervision and staff meetings as scheduled.
• Provide on-call support in rotation with the clinical team (serve as on-call point person with at least one weekend off per month)
• Follow Pennsylvania and New Jersey Child Abuse Reporting Rules
• Share all safety-related concerns with direct supervisor and the Director of Operations and Clinical Services
• Prepare a termination summary prior to the child’s discharge from the program.
• Perform all other duties as requested or assigned.

Competencies:

• Interpersonal Communication Skills
• Professionalism, Critical Thinking and Teamwork
• Practice-based Learning and Quality Improvement
• Screening and Assessment
• Care Planning and Care Coordination
• Intervention skills
• Cultural Competence and Adaptation
• Organization and Technology