Family Support Specialist

Options Counseling and Family Services•Salem, NE

15d•$21 - $30

About The Position

Options Counseling and Family Services provides mental health and family preservation services across fourteen counties in western Oregon. The Family Support Specialist provides variable-hours, hands-on in-home demonstration, teaching, and support to help families make behavioral changes when child safety concerns are present, including when children may be at risk of out-of-home placement. Families are primarily referred by ODHS self-sufficiency case managers. The specialist assesses family needs, co-creates a family action plan, and collaborates with ODHS providers and community agencies. The role requires travel to families’ homes and communities and is anticipated to be full-time at 40 hours per week, although scheduled and worked hours may vary. Some overtime may be required and approved by a supervisor in response to client needs, referrals, or other factors. The position combines direct family services with documentation and coordination. The specialist provides practical training and interventions, supports child safety and attachment, connects families with support systems, and documents progress and challenges. Work may involve families and individuals experiencing mental illness, emotional illness, developmental delays, disadvantage, substance dependence, domestic violence, or child abuse. The role may include afternoon, evening, or weekend hours, local travel, and transporting clients in the employee’s own insured vehicle.

Requirements

Meet the criteria of a Qualified Mental Health Associate.
At least two years of experience with in-home budgeting, housekeeping, nutrition and household management, appropriate physical care of children, parenting skills and techniques, basic child development, and providing services to disadvantaged individuals and families. Experience may be substituted for education.
Computer proficiency in a Microsoft Windows environment.
Willingness to learn to provide client services using remote video technology, such as Zoom.
A respectful, open, and accepting attitude toward clients and their families.
Pass an ODHS background check and/or fingerprinting.
Valid Oregon driver’s license, reliable transportation, and auto insurance.
For positions requiring client transportation, maintain personal auto liability insurance of at least $100,000/$300,000/$100,000 and provide proof of insurance.
Ability to travel to clients’ homes and communities.
Ability to work afternoon, evening, and/or weekend hours as needed.
Ability to sit for extended periods at a workstation while updating client records, doing phone work, and conducting client sessions.
Ability to stand, work, and drive throughout the day.
Mobility and dexterity sufficient to assist clients, perform required job functions, and move about the facility.
Ability to cope with clients who may use challenging or offensive language, with potential escalation to physical aggression.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor of Science degree in social work, psychology, or counseling.
Knowledge of high-risk family dynamics, including sexual abuse, substance use, and domestic violence.

Responsibilities

Provide practical in-home training and intervention in parent and family functioning.
Make multiple contacts with families and their support systems in a variety of settings.
Implement specific components of each family’s service plan face-to-face.
Help families develop interventions and establish accountability for inappropriate behaviors.
Instruct and assist parents with youth supervision, focusing on safety and well-being.
Identify family and individual strengths to help address child safety and attachment concerns.
Connect families with informal and formal support systems, including contacting and accessing resources.
Provide and supervise appropriate in-home and/or community recreational opportunities for youth.
Teach and model appropriate play, attachment, and behavior-management techniques.
Work with individuals and families experiencing mental illness, emotional illness, developmental delays, or disadvantage.
Work effectively with angry and hostile clients.
Create a local steering committee with public and private partners and conduct regular meetings.
Identify families facing drug or alcohol dependence, child abuse, domestic violence, and other child safety concerns.
Empathize with and motivate clients to enhance child safety and attachment while maintaining client confidentiality.
Attend and participate in clinical supervision and team meetings as directed.
Maintain accurate, current client records, including weekly progress notes in the electronic client record, and sign documents in accordance with regulatory requirements and agency standards.
Learn and follow agency operations, policies, and procedures relevant to assigned work.
Provide current reports on families’ progress and challenges.
Communicate orally and in writing with referring agencies and community resources; respond to questions and gather and exchange information.
Complete assigned tasks quickly and accurately from written and oral instructions.
Maintain effective working relationships with professional service staff.
Travel locally to families’ homes and communities and transport clients using an insured personal vehicle.