Family Support Specialist ROOP

OREGON FAMILY SUPPORT NETWORK INC•Salem, OR

27d•$23 - $29

About The Position

The Family Support Specialist (FSS) is a peer with shared lived experience who supports families raising a child with emotional, behavioral, mental health, developmental, or other health challenges. The FSS helps families engage and actively participate in their team and/or treatment process and make informed decisions. Drawing on personal and professional experience, the FSS provides consultation and coaching to increase awareness, strengthen parent/caregiver-professional partnerships, and maximize parent/caregiver voice, choice, and involvement. FSSs work in a range of settings and programs, including Wraparound, Community and Transition Services (CATS), community-based programs, the Reach Out Oregon parent warm line, Rapid Response, and Caring Contacts. They support families’ distinct needs using consistent principles of Family Support practice and competencies. The role includes direct family support, system navigation, participation in child and family team meetings, connection to community-based natural supports, and administrative documentation. The FSS may also provide support groups, family activities, outreach, training, and other supportive services. The position requires flexibility to meet family needs and includes assigned office and community-based work schedules.

Requirements

Direct experience as a parent or primary caregiver who has navigated multiple child-serving agencies, including areas such as mental health, addiction treatment services, or child welfare.
Meet state requirements and register as a Traditional Health Worker with a worker type of Family Support Specialist within six months of hire.
Ability to articulate the experience and perspective of a parent/caregiver of a child with complex needs to build mutuality with families.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to present and work with diverse audiences, including people of varied racial, ethnic, gender-expression, socioeconomic, educational, spiritual, and cultural backgrounds.
Ability to pass pre-employment requirements, including criminal and abuse background checks.
Ability to manage multiple projects within tight timelines and deadlines.
Excellent organizational and time-management skills.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Reliable transportation, valid and current automobile insurance, and an insurable driving record, or access to reliable transportation.
Comprehensive knowledge of, or ability to use, Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, databases, electronic health record software, online platforms, and virtual platforms such as Zoom and Google Meets.

Responsibilities

Provide culturally and linguistically appropriate peer support to families, using personal and professional experience, best practices, and approved Family Support Competencies.
Facilitate parent/caregiver engagement, access, and participation in systems of care, and support involvement in the child’s planning process and system navigation.
Explore the strengths, needs, culture, and vision of the child and family.
Participate in child and family team meetings to support family access, voice, choice, and connection to the team.
Encourage families and teams to discuss concerns openly; model communication and help reframe concerns to facilitate collaboration and a strengths-based approach.
Provide consistent encouragement and hope, and offer non-judgmental, unconditional support while promoting family-friendly language and avoiding blame or shame.
Maintain connections with parents/caregivers according to the plan and family’s needs, and follow through on tasks and assignments.
Support families in developing and connecting with natural supports in their communities.
Model and support communication about sensitive issues, reframing negative concerns, and respectful communication.
Maintain appropriate personal and professional boundaries and help ensure the safety and protection of self and families served.
Participate in regular peer and clinical supervision.
Accommodate work-schedule flexibility to meet family needs and maintain consistency with the practice model and program design.
Complete accurate and timely documentation, including scheduled reports, timesheets, progress notes, and other required paperwork.
Attend staff meetings and scheduled trainings.
Maintain confidentiality according to HIPAA.
Maintain the assigned office and community-based work schedule.
Provide supportive services such as support groups, family activities, recognition events, outreach, and training.
Participate in policy committees and workgroups as requested to support system improvement, integration, and collaboration.
Provide family support through platforms such as in-person meetings, warm lines, support groups, and family discussions.
Assist with and attend special events.
Inform parents/caregivers about the organization, community partners, Wraparound and Systems of Care philosophy, child and family team process, and the FSS or Family Partner role.
Maintain local resource information for families to access independently.
Represent agency and program values and principles, and build constructive, positive team relationships grounded in dependability, empathy, genuineness, and respect.
Perform other duties as assigned or needed by the organization.