Family Support Specialist

An ability to establish trusting relationships; Experience and humility to work with culturally diverse families; Willing to engage in building reflective capacity (e.g., capacity for introspection, communicating awareness of self in relation to others, recognizing value of supervision, etc.). Education, Work Experience and/or Skills Requirements: Minimum of a High School Diploma or GED equivalent with two years of experience in working with children (0-3 years of age) and families.

If you want to make a living by making a difference, join Acenda as an
Family Support Worker

Position Summary:

Family Support Specialists establish trusting relationships with families and provide supportive visitation that is primarily in-home and lasts for at least one hour per visit. Family Support Specialists assist in strengthening the parent-child relationship and provide family-centered and strength-based interventions and activities.

As an integrated health organization Acenda values the use of evidence-based practice or EBP's.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• FSS will outreach families referred through Connecting NJ or a Service Provider.
• FSS will use a standardized screening tool to determine eligibility for home visitation services.
• Interview/conduct the Family Resilience and Opportunities for Growth (FROG) Scale with parents to identify strengths/risk factors to support the family throughout home visitation services.
• Assist in strengthening the parent-child relationship.
• Assist parents in improving their skills to optimize the home environment
• Assist in increasing the family support system and increase the family's ability to problem solve and assume the role of advocating for themselves and their children.
• Responsible for assisting the family in establishing goals and a plan for the accomplishment of those goals. The assessment of the normal growth and development of the target child.
• Identify and refer to other supportive agencies, including healthcare appointments.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Skills/Competencies:

• Workplace Code of Conduct and Ethics
• Interpersonal Communication
• Collaboration and Teamwork
• Cultural Competence and Adaptability
• Screening and Assessment
• Care Planning and Coordination
• Systems-Oriented Practice
• Practice-Based Learning and Quality Improvement
• Technologically Proficient
• Must display acceptance of individual differences
• An ability to establish trusting relationships;
• Experience and humility to work with culturally diverse families;
• Willing to engage in building reflective capacity (e.g., capacity for introspection, communicating awareness of self in relation to others, recognizing value of supervision, etc.)
• Flexible availability to include weeknight/weekend hours as needed by Home Visiting families
• Travel throughout New Jersey to obtain required multi-day trainings for the model and/or agency.
• Must be able to exercise independent thinking and good judgment under all circumstances.
• Must be able to analyze work, set goals, develop plans and utilize time effectively and efficiently.

Education, Work Experience and/or Skills Requirements:

• Minimum of a High School Diploma or GED equivalent with two years of experience in working with children (0-3 years of age) and families
• Infant Mental Health Endorsement preferred
• Knowledge of infant and child development
• Knowledge of normal child growth/development and parent-child relationships.
• Experience in working with community agencies, including implementing referral processes.
• Ability to relate to families from a strength-based model even in an apparently chaotic family environment; ability to approach families from a family-centered service model.
• Must have and maintain a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record

Physical Requirements:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to remain in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.
• Repeated motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers
• The employee must occasionally move about to accomplish tasks, adjust or move objects up to 20 pounds.
• Must be able to communicate with others to exchange information
• Ability to drive a vehicle

Additional Information:

• Base Rate: $21.64
• Sign on Blonus: $1,000
• Schedule: Day with some evening hours
• Bilingual Rate: An additional $1.50 per hour bilingual differential added to the base rate if Spanish proficient

What we provide:

• An Innovative culture that encourages you to grow and learn with the agency

• Mission-driven core
• Health, Vision and Dental coverage for you and your family
• 401(k) with 100% employer match on the first 5% of comp
• Generous time-off
• Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Year-end bonuses