Family Support Specialist

General

The Family Support Specialist is responsible for supervising and providing a safe, secure environment for the non-custodial parent(s) and their children using the supportive visitation model.

Location: onsite at The Children’s Haven Wellstar Family Visitation Center

Rate of Pay: $18/hr.

Hours: 10-12 hours per week to start with the potential of adding more based on need for services.

Shift: Saturdays and Sundays. These hours are determined based on the number of referrals in the visitation schedule. There is a possibility of increased hours/days that can be agreed upon based on availability and program needs.

Responsibilities

· Assist families in building parental capacity and/or work towards reunification through parent skills training and linkage to community resources.

• Observe and assess the needs of the family during a supervised visitation.
• Ensure the safety and well-being of the child (ren) during the visitation, and provide the families with necessary feedback and guidance.
• Build rapport with the families, and help them gain additional confidence.
• Provide Family Support Services/ Parent Coaching using the Supportive Visitation Model.
• Teach positive interventions and strategies in the method of parent coaching, and modeling.
• Actively participate in weekly/ monthly and ongoing staff meetings that are program- related.
• Implement a diverse teaching style to accommodate the needs of the family.
• Respect the confidential nature of all information pertaining to the families we serve.
• Report services implemented for grant funding.
• Provide case updates for DFCS, and other court appointed professionals.
• Provide testimony at court when deemed necessary and approved by agency Director.
• Treat families with dignity and respect.
• Ensure the visitation facility is clean after every visit, inside and/or outside; that is in compliance with the CDC guidelines.

Other duties

· Attend training as needed and available to keep update on child welfare issues, laws, and policy.

· Basic computer skills, including familiarity with using the internet and Microsoft Word

· Work in cooperation with The Children’s Haven staff.

· Maintain good working relationships with local DFCS, other agencies and/or individuals that are inherent to the Supervised Visitation Program.

· Participate in trainings and other certification needed for the program.

· Perform other related duties as needed or requested.

Qualifications

1. Bachelor’s Degree in child development, psychology, sociology, social work, education of a related field.

2. Extensive experience may be substituted for degree.

3. Two years’ experience required (volunteer or paid) in at least several of the following areas: social services, child advocacy, volunteer supervision, training, non-profit, volunteer CASA or guardian ad litem, child welfare, education, mental health, or parenting.

4. Complete and Pass Background Check

Preferred, Not Required

1. CPR and First Aid Certified

2. Experience with Nurturing Parenting Program

**Please no phone calls regarding this position. Email inquiries only.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: From $18.00 per hour

Expected hours: 8 – 12 per week

Schedule:

• 10 hour shift
• Weekends only

Work Location: In person