Family Support Specialist
About The Position
SHIELDS' mission is to develop, deliver and evaluate culturally sensitive, comprehensive service models that empower and advocate for high-risk families in South Los Angeles. We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Family Support Specialist to provide comprehensive, long-term support to families participating in the Healthy Families America (HFA) program. The Family Support Specialist will deliver home-based services for up to five (5) years, building trusting relationships with families to strengthen parent-child interactions, enhance parenting skills, improve family support systems, and promote effective problem-solving and decision-making. This role serves as a strong advocate for children and families while ensuring services align with program standards and funder requirements. Responsibilities include developing individualized Family Service Plans (FSPs), completing required assessments including the Family Assessment Form (FAF), and providing ongoing support, follow-up, referrals, and service coordination. The Family Support Specialist will monitor and evaluate caseloads on an individualized basis, intervene during crisis situations as needed, and provide in-home support through family sessions, one-on-one visits, Team Decision Making (TDM) meetings, and other team meetings. The role also involves interviewing and assessing clients to evaluate social, emotional, medical, psychological, financial, and environmental factors, and making appropriate referrals to community resources. The ideal candidate will maintain accurate and timely documentation in compliance with Healthy Families America, First5LA, SHIELDS, and funder policies. Participation in weekly case conferences, agency meetings, and required trainings is expected. The Family Support Specialist must maintain strong knowledge of local public and private community resources, eligibility requirements, and cultivate collaborative relationships with referral partners. Additionally, the role provides ongoing early childhood education to families, including guidance on infant and child developmental milestones, ensuring families receive consistent, high-quality, strengths-based support.
Requirements
- Understanding and compliance with Agency policies and procedures, HIPAA regulations, Department of Mental Health standards, and other applicable state and federal guidelines related to service programs.
- Strong advocacy skills.
- Ability to communicate ideas clearly and professionally, both verbally and in writing.
- Proficiency in basic computer applications, including word processing software.
- Ability to use sound judgment, analysis, and experience to make informed decisions.
- Commitment to team collaboration and the philosophies of SHIELDS for Families.
- Adaptability and responsiveness to changing program needs through ongoing skill development.
- Valid California driver’s license.
- Car insurance.
- Car registration.
- Reliable transportation.
- Driving record acceptable to the Agency’s insurance carrier.
- Ability to provide services within a culturally sensitive, ethnically informed model of practice, showing respect for diverse communities and clients.
- Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or a related field.
- Experience working with high-risk families.
- Emphasis in early childhood education and/or completion of a Community Health Worker certificate program.
Nice To Haves
- Bilingual skills are preferred.
Responsibilities
- Develop individualized Family Service Plans (FSPs).
- Complete required assessments including the Family Assessment Form (FAF).
- Provide ongoing support, follow-up, referrals, and service coordination.
- Monitor and evaluate caseloads on an individualized basis.
- Intervene during crisis situations as needed.
- Provide in-home support through family sessions, one-on-one visits, Team Decision Making (TDM) meetings, and other team meetings.
- Interview and assess clients to evaluate social, emotional, medical, psychological, financial, and environmental factors.
- Make appropriate referrals to community resources.
- Maintain accurate and timely documentation in compliance with Healthy Families America, First5LA, SHIELDS, and funder policies.
- Participate in weekly case conferences, agency meetings, and required trainings.
- Maintain strong knowledge of local public and private community resources, eligibility requirements.
- Cultivate collaborative relationships with referral partners.
- Provide ongoing early childhood education to families, including guidance on infant and child developmental milestones.
Benefits
- Employer-paid medical for employee and family
- Employer-paid dental, vision and group life insurance for employee
- Employer-paid sick pay (12 days per year)
- Employer-paid vacation pay (10-20 days per year depending on years of service)
- Employer-paid anniversary holiday (1-5 days annually depending on years of service)
- Employer-paid birthday holiday (1 day annually)
- Supportive, fun and friendly team environment!
- Competitive Wages and room for growth
- Vacation and sick leave
- Chiropractic services
- Retirement 403b plan and supplemental insurance benefits
- 17 paid holidays, effective upon hire
- Paid birthday holiday, effective upon hire
- Paid anniversary day off of 1-5 days per year depending on years of service
- Anniversary bonus after 5 years of service
- Winter break
- Pet Insurance
- BBS supervision, on-going clinical training and CEUs available
- Employee referral bonus
- Employee Assistance Program
- Employee discount programs to theme parks, movies, hotels and car rentals
- Paid educational leave
- Paid drive time and mileage reimbursement
- Eligible for Federal Student Loan Forgiveness
- Employee Recognition
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
