Family Support Specialist

Andrus Childrens Center•Yonkers, NY

About The Position

The Family Support Specialist (FSS) is responsible for providing, strength-based supportive services for children and their families. The FSS initiates and maintains regular contact with families, primarily in their homes. The FSS establishes trusting relationships with families, provides prenatal and other health education and assists to strengthen parent-child relationships. The FSS assists parents to improve their skills to optimize the home environment for child’s well-being and safety. The FSS also assists families in making and attending health and human services appointments including activities related to employment and education goals.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED
Direct work experience with children and families in a community setting.
An ability to establish trusting relationships
Willing to engage in building reflective capacity (e.g., Introspection)
Strong oral and written communication skills and knowledge of basic computer systems
Knowledge of Yonkers /Mt. Vernon and Westchester county resources valued
Facility in written and spoken English and Spanish
Punctual and regular attendance as scheduled
Safe and successful performance of job tasks
Ability to access and utilize ADP app on smartphone or other device for access to agency programs
Valid NYS Driver’s License
Ability to travel to community-based agency offices, participant’s communities, and homes within assigned catchment area
The FSS must be able to drive to external locations and work flexible hours as required to meet program needs with some evenings and/or weekends as identified. Generally, 9am to 5pm weekdays.
Reach
Walk
Climb stairs
Bend

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of infant and child development (preferred)
Infant mental health endorsement (preferred)

Responsibilities

Understanding and supporting the agency’s mission & treatment philosophy
Demonstrates sensitivity to cultural background of children, families and co-workers
Participates in virtual and in person trainings and meetings to obtain and discuss information related to program/agency
Works effectively to provide support and to ensure healthy growth and development of families
Offers referrals and information according to the needs of families
Effectively manages a caseload of up to a case weight of 25-30 families
Conducts home visits according to the frequency of contact for families
Ensures activities are family appropriate and reflective of the developmental level of the child by incorporating curriculum when working with families
Meets weekly with assigned supervisor to address concerns and explore ways to best support families related to parent-child interaction, goal plan and curriculum or activities used in addition to discussing tasks assigned
Safely manages all aspects of job responsibilities and maintains a safe, hazard free work space
Performs duties of a mandated reporter by reporting any suspicion of child abuse or neglect to Supervisor and SCR
Informs Supervisor of potentially unsafe home environments when visiting families
Completes all paperwork and case record forms in a clear, accurate and timely fashion as per HFNY standards to ensure information stays up to date
Works effectively with other staff and community partners
Participation and planning of outreach events in the community in addition to door to door
Ability to be empathetic/humble and work with families with diverse cultural, economic backgrounds
Assists, when appropriate in the orientation of new staff
Supports overall strategic plan of the organization
Ability to adhere to our organization's core values and commitments