Family Support Specialist (ARS)

A Better Way Inc • Hayward, CA

2d • $25 - $27 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Family Support Specialist works with families in Alameda County who are at risk of child abuse and neglect, providing family-centered early intervention and prevention support. The role helps families increase involvement, set goals, and work toward achieving them while ensuring that each family's culture is integrated into care and support. The Specialist uses culturally sensitive, family-friendly engagement practices and represents the parent’s perspective as a member of an interdisciplinary team, including through collaboration with mental health professionals. Support from the Another Road to Safety Program management team includes training, professional development, reflective clinical supervision, and administrative support.

The Specialist carries a caseload of up to 15 families with mid- to high-level service needs, conducts weekly face-to-face visits, and helps parents access resources and strengthen their ability to support their children. The position is full-time, non-exempt, and based at the Hayward and Oakland offices, with local travel to various worksites. Work is generally Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; some evenings, weekends, and overtime are required. Employment is contingent on passing a background check and obtaining TB and health clearances. Driving records may be reviewed periodically when applicable, and employees must comply with organizational vaccination requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or four years of experience working in Human Services or a closely related field.
• Previous case management experience.
• Personal experience connecting with community resources and ability to support families in accessing needed resources.
• Experience working with families with complex trauma.
• Experience in Motivational Interviewing or commitment to receive training in this area.
• Understanding of child and adolescent development.
• Ability to engage cross-culturally with diverse clients and community partners and provide culturally relevant, sensitive support.
• Experience providing face-to-face, family-driven care to multi-stressed families involved in the child welfare system.
• Good organizational skills.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Computer skills or commitment to receive training in this area.
• Ability to pass background checks required to work with children.
• Valid California driver’s license.
• Reliable transportation and proof of insurance.
• Willingness to work overtime as needed, including some evening and weekend events.

Nice To Haves

• Specialized training in substance abuse or recovery.
• Bilingual or bicultural ability, preferably in Spanish or Cantonese.

Responsibilities

• Carry a caseload of up to 15 families with mid- to high-level service needs, including needs related to homelessness, community engagement, parental support, child safety, and risk mitigation.
• Provide outreach and engagement to families at risk of child abuse and neglect.
• Work sensitively and competently with ethnically, culturally, and socioeconomically diverse clients across a large geographic area.
• Conduct screenings for safety risks, child development concerns, substance abuse, and depression.
• Develop Family Care Plans in collaboration with families and their goals.
• Conduct weekly face-to-face visits with families in the community or at parents’ residences.
• Support parents in accessing resources that address basic needs and stabilization concerns, such as housing, food banks, and general assistance.
• Provide one-to-one support to parents, including role-modeling advocacy, listening, motivating, and coaching.
• Increase awareness of the importance of parent-professional partnerships.
• Assist in the ongoing development and evaluation of children’s treatment plans, including educational and mental health treatment plans.
• Help families increase their support networks on behalf of their children’s needs.
• Help families understand their role with their children.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings and represent the parent’s perspective.
• Engage in personal and professional development to build skills and meet the challenges of the position.
• Participate in parent education trainings, workshops, weekly individual and group supervision, and required agency and county in-service training.
• Facilitate Parent Cafés and other parent-training development events.
• Maintain accurate case documentation and complete paperwork and contract deliverables by deadlines.
• Communicate daily schedules and plans clearly to the supervisor and other relevant parties.
• Maintain close contact with the supervisor by email and cell phone.
• Relate effectively and professionally with parents, supervisors, coworkers, and staff in support of families.
• Perform other duties as necessary for the good of the agency and program.

Benefits

• Training, professional development, reflective clinical supervision, and administrative support from the ARS Program management team.
• Cell phone equipment provided.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time