Family Support Specialist (Dekalb County)
About The Position
The Family Support Specialist provides in-home visitation services to enrolled families throughout DeKalb County, Tennessee, primarily in Smithville and surrounding communities. The role builds trusting relationships, teaches problem-solving skills, links families to referrals and other supports, and strengthens family functioning. Services are family-centered and strength-based, supporting parent-child relationships, healthy childhood development, family well-being, and the reduction of risk through protective factors. Contact with families may continue for up to five years, with visits typically lasting about an hour. The specialist helps families establish and work toward goals, implements activities in their Family Service Plans, and provides case management. The position administers family and developmental screening tools, maintains accurate program records, contributes to statistical reporting, and delivers GGK curriculum and HFA strategies through weekly home visits. It also involves required training and meetings, regular travel within the county, occasional evening or weekend community events, and attendance at an annual Tennessee State Summit.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, or another behavioral health care field.
- Valid driver’s license in good standing and at least three years of driving history.
- Experience working with or providing services to children and families.
- Ability to establish trusting relationships.
- Knowledge of infant and child development.
- Acceptance of individual differences.
- Ability and humility to work with culturally diverse families.
- Willingness to build reflective capacity, including self-reflection, awareness of oneself in relation to others, and recognition of the value of supervision.
Nice To Haves
- Two years of professional experience working directly with youth and families in child welfare, a school, childcare, criminal justice, behavioral health, or a related setting.
- Infant Mental Health Endorsement.
Responsibilities
- Initiate and maintain regular, long-term contact and support with families, primarily through home visits.
- Build trusting relationships and provide family-centered, strength-based support that strengthens parent-child relationships, promotes healthy child development, and enhances family well-being.
- Partner with families while honoring diverse family structures and parenting practices.
- Administer the Family Resilience and Opportunities for Growth (FROG) Scale and screening tools such as the ASQ, ASQ-SE, and depression screens.
- Identify and refer families to supportive services, including health care services.
- Help families establish goals and support them in working toward those goals.
- Implement Family Service Plan activities that address concerns identified through the FROG Scale.
- Assist with required monthly, quarterly, and annual statistical reports.
- Maintain accurate and current records related to the GGK curriculum, HFA data, and other program requirements.
- Participate in training required by HFA guidelines, GKI, and the Department of Health contract.
- Implement the GGK curriculum and HFA strategies during weekly home visits.
- Provide case management to families on the caseload.
- Attend required training and mandatory meetings, including the annual Tennessee State Summit.
- Travel regularly throughout DeKalb County and attend occasional evening or weekend community events as needed.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision health coverage
- Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
- 403(b) retirement plan with company match
- Paid time off
- Ten paid holidays
- Company-paid AD&D insurance, life insurance, and long-term disability
- Employee Resource Groups
- Continuing education opportunities
- Employee Assistance Program
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
