Family Support Specialist (ARS)

A Better Way Inc•Hayward, CA

8d•Hybrid

About The Position

Another Road to Safety Program (ARS) is an early intervention and prevention program offered through the Prevention and Intake Division of the Alameda County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS or CFS). The strength of the ARS Program is our staff. Our Family Support Specialists are clinically inclined and provide some personal experience successfully navigating multi-systems within the Alameda County. Family Support Specialist utilize their clinical expertise to engage families while using a family-centered, early intervention and prevention approach. Role: The Family Support Specialist will work closely with families who are at risk of child abuse and neglect in Alameda County. The Family Support Specialist will work closely with families to increase involvement, setting goals, coaching family members through the process, and supporting them in achieving the set goals. The Family Support Specialist also helps to ensure that the integrity of the individual family's culture is fully integrated into every aspect of the care and support offered to the child and family. The Family Support Specialist ensures that culturally sensitive and family friendly engagement practices permeate throughout all of our program offerings. In addition, the Family Support Specialist will participate as a member of an Inter-Disciplinary team; including working closely with mental health professionals while representing the parent’s perspective. As a Family Support Specialist, you will receive support from the Another Road to Safety Program management team in the form of training, professional development, reflective clinical supervision, and administrative support. Total compensation includes a base salary, a sign-on bonus, 12 paid holidays, a paid year-end office closure, and comprehensive benefits.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications for FSS: A Bachelor’s degree or four years’ experience working in the Human Services or closely related field and previous case management experience.
Personal experience connecting with community resources and ability to support families in accessing all needed community resources.
Experience in working with families with complex trauma
Experience in Motivational Interviewing and/or commitment to receive training in this area.
Must have an understanding of child/adolescent development
Ability to engage cross-culturally with diverse clientele and community partners, providing culturally relevant and sensitive support
Experience providing face to face Family Driven care to multi stressed families involved in Child Welfare system
Good organization skills.
Good verbal and written skills.
Experience in computer skills and/or commitment to receive training in this area
Ability to pass various background checks needed to work with children
Reliable transportation, valid driver’s license in good standing, and proof of insurance.
Willingness to work overtime as needed, including some evening and weekend events.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual/Bicultural (Spanish or Cantonese) preferred
Specialized training in Substance Abuse/Recovery preferred

Responsibilities

Carry caseload up to 15.
The staff will provide support to families with mid- high level service needs including and not limited to homeless, community engagement, parental support and improve child safety and mitigate risk.
Knowledge of social and economic vulnerability of families involved in the child welfare system.
Conduct weekly face to face visits with families (within the community or parents’ residence)
Provide outreach and engagement to families at risk of child abuse and neglect
Demonstrate sensitivity and competence in dealing with ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomically diverse client population spanning over a large geographic area.
Conduct screenings for challenges such as safety risks, child development, substance abuse and depression
Develop the Family Care Plan in collaboration with families goals
Support parents in accessing resources that address basic needs and stabilization concerns, such as housing, food bank, general assistance, etc.
Provide one to one support to the parent, i.e., role modeling advocacy for the parent; acting as a sounding board, motivator and coach for the parent
Increase awareness about the importance of parent/professional partnerships
Assist in the ongoing development and evaluation of the child’s treatment plan; including educational and mental health treatment plans
Assist families in increasing their support network on behalf of the needs of their child
Assist families in their understanding of their role with their child
Participate in Inter-Disciplinary Team meetings and represent the parent’s perspective
Engage in personal and professional development in order to develop new skills and meet the challenges of the position.
Participate in related parent education trainings and workshops
Participate in weekly individual and group supervision
Participate in required agency and county in-service training program
Facilitate Parent Cafés and other parent training development events
Maintain accurate case documentation and complete all paperwork by deadlines
Communicate daily schedules and plans clearly to supervisor and other relevant parties.
Maintain close contact with supervisor through email and cell phone contact (equipment provided).
The ability to relate effectively and professionally with parents, supervisor, co-workers and staff in support of families.
Maintain accurate case documentation and complete all paperwork by deadlines
Meet and maintain all contract deliverables by deadlines
Perform all other duties as necessary for the good of the agency and program