Family Support Specialist (Case Manager), Developmental Disabilities Program

Bridges Homeward • Cambridge, MA

12d • Onsite

About The Position

The Family Support Specialist is a member of Bridges Homeward's Developmental Disabilities Program team. This role assists families, children, youth, and adult family members referred by the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) in developing life skills, setting and achieving goals, accessing necessary resources, and engaging in community activities. The position is considered a great, entry-level opportunity to make a difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities. Bridges Homeward emphasizes self-care and work-life balance, operating on a 33.5-hour, 4 1/2 day work week. The agency, founded in 1873, is dedicated to strengthening and advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion, and seeks staff who align with this commitment. Their goal is to help every person they work with find permanency, whether it's enabling a child to remain with their biological family, supporting an individual with developmental disabilities to live with family, finding a forever family for a child in foster care, or ensuring youth have a safe, secure parenting relationship with a supportive adult. The agency offers a supportive team environment.

Requirements

• Minimum of 1 year's experience in working with families, children and adults with developmental disabilities
• Demonstrated ability to provide case management to families, including ability to assess needs
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Nice To Haves

• Basic Spanish speaking capacity preferred
• Famililarity with positive behavioral techniques and ABA principles preferred
• Familiarity with special education preferred

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and schedule parent/caregiver trainings
• Collaborate with other Bridges Homeward staff in developing and coordinating family activities and programs for individuals with developmental disabilities, and their families
• Advocate effectively for clients living with developmental disabilities, and families
• Facilitate communication with the client's collaterals, including DDS, school, medical and in-home providers and therapists
• Provide strength-based support by partnering with families to understand and meet their needs
• Assess client and family needs through referrals from DDS
• Assist family in managing funds allocated by DDS

Benefits

• 33.5 Hour Work Week!
• Generous Paid Time Off (including vacation, sick, personal and wellness days)
• Medical and Dental Coverage
• 13 paid holidays
• Life Insurance
• Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Financial coverage for Social Work Licensures and Professional Development (including access to CEUs for those who need it)
• Tuition remission for undergraduate classes

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level