Bilingual Family Support Specialist
Children's Hope Alliance
Summary
The Family Support Specialist (FSS) will initiate and maintain intensive, long-term home visitation services to families, beginning during pregnancy or within 3 months of birth. The visits are family-centered, strength-based, and directed at establishing a trusting relationship while honoring diverse family structures and parenting practices. The FSS will develop an individualized plan to ensure all areas of concern are addressed and existing strengths are identified.
Job description
Job Summary
The Family Support Specialist (FSS) will initiate and maintain intensive, long-term home visitation services to families, beginning during pregnancy or within 3 months of birth. The visits are family-centered, strength-based, and directed at establishing a trusting relationship while honoring diverse family structures and parenting practices. The FSS will develop an individualized plan to ensure all areas of concern are addressed and existing strengths are identified.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
- Engage referred families by scheduling the Family Resilience and Opportunities for Growth (FROG) initial assessment, administer, document, and score the assessment.
- Initiate and maintain regular and long-term contact/support to assigned families through home visits lasting at least an hour and being on call 24/7 to families.
- Build trusting relationships by honoring diverse family structures and parenting practices.
- Develop and regularly update an individualized Family Service Plan to guide interventions.
- Assist each family in setting and achieving meaningful goals.
- Support parents in learning problem-solving and coping skills and how to effectively advocate for their family.
- Provide parent education through use of Partners for a Healthy Baby, Nurturing Program, Growing Great Kids, and other supplemental curricula.
- Employ strategies to strengthen parent-child interactions and promote healthy childhood growth and development.
- Administer family screens, including intimate partner violence, depression, and child development (ASQ-3 / ASQ-SE); make appropriate referrals if needed.
- Act as a liaison between families and community agencies as needed.
- Assist families in scheduling and attending doctors' appointments for pre and postnatal care, well-child checkups, immunizations, and other appointments.
- Work as a member of the CVHF team by regularly attending staff meetings, weekly individual supervision meetings, group parent trainings, and community outreach events.
- Attend training upon being hired and throughout employment.
- Document all contact with families in the Family Wise Database and maintain all paperwork.
- Assist parents in creating a goal plan within 45 days of enrollment, update every 6 months.
Education and Experience Requirements
Minimum of a High School Diploma or Equivalent, Preferred Bachelor's degree in Child Development, Early Childhood, B-K, Human Services, Social Work, or a related child and family field and at least 1 year of experience related to the program or an equivalent combination of training and experience. Preference given to individuals with bilingual abilities (Spanish/English).
Requirements
- Minimum of a High School Diploma or Equivalent
- Preferred Bachelor's degree in Child Development, Early Childhood, B-K, Human Services, Social Work, or a related child and family field
- At least 1 year of experience related to the program or an equivalent combination of training and experience
- Preference given to individuals with bilingual abilities (Spanish/English)
- Knowledge of infant and child development
- Experience in working with or providing services to children and families
- Ability to diffuse difficult situations / confrontations and establish trusting relationships
- Knowledge of dynamics of child abuse and neglect
- Infant Mental Health Endorsement preferred
- Ability to work with a variety of individuals and professionals representing various disciplines
- Accepting of individual differences and possess the experience and humility to work with culturally diverse families
- Willingness to engage in building reflective capacity
- Proficient computer skills
- Must have a valid North Carolina Driver's License and maintain insurance coverage
- Must submit to and pass pre-employment drug screening, criminal, HCPR and driving checks
Company overview
Children's Hope Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing comprehensive mental health and behavioral health services to children, youth, and families. The organization specializes in trauma-informed care, offering a range of therapeutic interventions and support services designed to help young people overcome emotional and behavioral challenges. Their services typically include outpatient counseling, intensive in-home therapy, community-based programs, and specialized treatment for trauma and developmental disorders. As a mission-driven organization, Children's Hope Alliance focuses on creating safe, nurturing environments where children can heal and develop the skills needed for healthy functioning. They work collaboratively with families, schools, and community partners to provide holistic support systems. The organization's approach emphasizes evidence-based practices and individualized care plans tailored to each child's unique needs. Their work addresses critical mental health needs in communities, particularly for vulnerable populations who may face barriers to accessing quality mental health services.