Family Support Specialist

Intermountain Centers•Phoenix, AZ

About The Position

The Family Support Specialist works with children and families to provide resources, advocacy, emotional support, guidance, and practical assistance. The role supports caregivers and guardians in navigating parenting, education, healthcare, social services, and other challenges, with the goal of strengthening family well-being and helping individuals develop positive behavioral strategies. Services are delivered in clients’ homes and communities and are developed with children, families, and Child and Family Team (CFT) members. The specialist manages a client caseload, reviews individualized service plans, and maintains chart and billing compliance. The position includes direct family support, home visits, transportation as determined by the CFT and service plan, crisis response, coordination with community providers, and required documentation, meetings, training, and supervision. A minimum of 30 hours of face-to-face direct support services to enrolled clients is required. Driving is required to meet clients in the community and accommodate their availability.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED and four years of experience working with children with a mental diagnosis; or an associate degree and two years of such experience; or a bachelor’s degree or higher and at least one year of such experience.
Must be at least 21 years of age.
Must possess an Arizona driver’s license and state-mandated auto insurance.
Must possess or be able to obtain a Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card.
Must pass a five-panel drug screen.
Driving is required to meet clients in the community.
Must provide a minimum of 30 hours of face-to-face direct support services to enrolled clients.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in a behavioral-health-related field, such as psychology, family studies, human development, or sociology.
Some experience with mental health is preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide support to enrolled children and families as outlined in their Child and Family Team service plans.
Develop and implement individualized behavior intervention plans, support plans, education, and interventions based on assessments, data analysis, and CFT goals.
Identify family strengths and needs, help families access support, and collaborate with agency departments and professional agencies.
Meet clients in their homes and communities; conduct home visits to assess the family environment and provide in-home support.
Provide at least 30 hours of face-to-face direct support services to enrolled clients.
Participate with CFT members and agency staff to identify and remove barriers to family-driven, family-centered, strengths-based, community-based, and culturally competent services.
Offer emotional support, crisis intervention, and stabilization to families as needed, including on-call coverage when needed.
Connect families with community resources, including healthcare, housing, education, and employment services, and maintain a community resource guide.
Educate parents and caregivers on child development and effective parenting techniques, including positive behavioral support and alternative parenting techniques.
Advocate for families in interactions with schools, social services, and healthcare providers.
Facilitate support groups, workshops, and training sessions on family-related topics.
Teach children and families living, social, communication, self-care, and household management skills as related to the service plan.
Help family members develop social and natural support networks using community resources.
Provide transportation to children and families as determined by the CFT and service plan.
Give CFTs feedback on client progress, interventions, and barriers; provide guardians weekly client-status updates and new interventions.
Manage caseloads, review service plans, and address out-of-compliance clients.
Complete observations and assessments to identify behavioral challenges and track progress over time.
Serve as a liaison among schools, families, and external support services to coordinate care.
Complete required documentation and billing accurately within assigned time frames; adhere to administrative time requirements and maintain chart compliance.
Attend scheduled department and agency meetings, required training, and assigned one-to-one coaching and supervision.
Participate in meetings and committees for continuous quality improvement as needed.
Assist families in understanding the RBHA system as clinically indicated.
Assess the work area for non-compliance issues and notify the supervisor promptly for follow-up.
Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.