Family Support Specialist - FT Lincoln, NE

A Blessing of Hope•Lincoln, NE

55d

About The Position

A Blessing of Hope Family Services is hiring a Family Support Specialist to help reunify families across Nebraska and support parents and children in the child welfare system. The role supervises visits between children and families in clients’ homes or in the community, including during evenings and weekends. Families served have had children removed from the home and placed in the child welfare system following allegations of abuse or neglect. During supervised visits, the specialist provides parenting-skills assistance, supports family bonding, and offers in-the-moment redirection and parent coaching to promote safe and successful reunification. The specialist advocates for families, helps set goals with caseworkers and families, documents progress, reports concerns about alleged abuse or neglect, may testify in court as needed, and transports children and families. The position works with families and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to pursue goals established by caseworkers and the court. It includes facilitating visits, helping families find and apply for resources, maintaining accurate and unbiased records, and communicating consistently with DHHS and the manager. The posting lists the role as part-time and requires evening and weekend availability. Compensation starts at $22 per hour, plus drive time and mileage reimbursement; mileage is reimbursed at 55 cents per mile.

Requirements

Must be at least 21 years old.
Valid driver’s license and valid insurance are required.
Reliable transportation to safely transport children and meet families.
Clear criminal history and a driving record with no more than three assessed points.
Strong written communication and documentation skills, including accurate and unbiased reporting.
Excellent verbal communication skills by phone and email.
Ability to build positive rapport and trust with families.
Prior experience working with children, crisis intervention, and conflict resolution, and knowledge of child development and the child welfare system.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in a human services field, such as social work, psychology, human services, or counseling; preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Work with families and DHHS to help achieve goals set by caseworkers and the court.
Supervise the protection and safety of children and adult participants during visits.
Facilitate visits between children and their families in clients’ homes or the community.
Provide parenting-skills assistance, in-the-moment redirection, parent coaching, and support for family bonding.
Provide safe transportation for children and families to and from visits.
Help families find and apply for resources that support reunification and well-being.
Build rapport and professional working relationships with families.
Communicate consistently and openly with DHHS and the manager about work with families.
Maintain accurate, unbiased visit reports and other service documentation.
Submit written incident reports within 24 hours and service documentation and mileage within 36 hours of providing services.
Report concerns about alleged abuse or neglect.
Set goals with the assistance of caseworkers and families, document progress, and testify in court as needed.

Benefits

Health insurance (employer covers 70% of the premium and 50% of family premiums) for full-time employees.
Dental insurance for full-time employees.
Vision insurance for full-time employees.
Seven days of sick time accrued per year for full-time employees.
Ten days of paid vacation accrued per year for full-time employees.
Holiday pay for four holidays per year for full-time employees.
401(k) with matching.
Six weeks of fully paid familial leave after one year of employment for full-time employees.
Employee Assistance Program, including six free therapy sessions, limited legal services, and health and wellness webinars.
Mileage reimbursement at 55 cents per mile.