Blue Ridge Healthy Families
Family Support Specialist/Family Resource Specialist (FSS/FRS)
Purpose: The BRHF Family Support Specialist will be a cross-trained home visitor that supports the organization’s mission and vision by exhibiting the following behaviors: excellence and competence, collaboration, innovation, respect, trustworthiness, accountability, and commitment to the community. Healthy Families America is a nationally recognized evidence-based home visiting program model designed to work with overburdened families who are at risk for adverse childhood experiences, including child maltreatment.
Job Description: To promote healthy childhood outcomes, the Family Support Specialist (FSS) will provide intensive home visitation services to overburdened expectant parents and parents of newborns in an effort to 1) mitigate maltreatment risk within the family and help them reduce stress factors that could potentially lead to child abuse and neglect; and, 2) increase protective factors within the family that promote healthy childhood outcomes. The FSS will provide services to families enrolling prenatally or at birth up to five years. The FSS will:
● Initiate and maintain regular and long-term contact with families for the purpose of
support in their homes.
● Identify needs and refer families for other supports when identified or when families
request specific referrals be made. Referrals are made timely and tracked in the site database system.
● Partner with site supervisor to develop HFA Service Plan.
● Discuss family progress with supervisor and family and collaboratively decide when a
level change will take place.
● Provide parent education through the use of the Growing Great Kids curriculum and
other supplemental curricula.
● Employ strategies to strengthen parent/child interactions through the parallel process
and observation.
● Track post and prenatal care, birth control, well-child checkups, immunizations, as
well as various other constructs of the Federal reporting requirement.
● Assist families in developing and achieving meaningful goals.
● Provide interventions based on what has been determined as a family’s HFA Service
Plan needs as derived from the initial Family Resilience and Opportunities for Growth [FROG] assessment, and ongoing needs as they arise.
● Engage family referrals to schedule a 1st home visit/initial family assessment visit.
● Objectively conduct FROG assessments, score and document the assessment.
● Provide follow-up information to referring agents.
● Conduct family screenings to include intimate partner violence, depression, child
development.
● Document family contact and enter relevant data in the FamilyWise Data System on an
ongoing and timely basis.
● Stay abreast of resources available to support families within the community.
● Learn and practice new strategies to effectively work with families.
● Conduct outreach to local providers and service agencies; potentially serving on various
community boards and advisory teams, as assigned.
● Attend all required HFA/BRHF/BRPFC training.
Selection Criteria:
● Minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent
● Experience working with or providing services to families and young children
● Ability to establish trusting relationships
● Acceptance of individual differences
● Experience, humility and willingness to work with culturally diverse populations
● Knowledge of infant and child development
● Willingness to engage in reflective practice (i.e. has capacity for introspection,
communicates awareness of self in relation to others, recognizes the value of supervision, etc.).
● Infant Mental Health Endorsement level I or II preferred
The ability to apply the principles and practices of the Healthy Families America model is necessary; proficient computer skills to allow communication, participant record documentation, and access of information. Valuable attributes include close attention to detail, strong communication skills - both written and verbal - in relative situations; ability to diffuse difficult situations/confrontations, and ability to interpret information.
Reliable personal transportation along with a valid NC driver’s license.
Education:
A minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent; Preferred: graduation from a four-year college or university with a B.S.W or other related field or a combination of education and experience.
Infant Mental Health Endorsement level I or II preferred.
Physical requirements:
- Able to lift at least 25lbs
- Able to sit on the floor for home-visits
- Able to climb stairs or steep driveways
- Actively participate and assist in participant events
The position is full-time, with group health insurance, 5% matching contribution to 403(b) retirement account, accrued paid leave time, and a family-friendly work atmosphere.
Salary range is $18 – $24 per hour, dependent on education and/or experience,
and a monthly $200 remote stipend
Assigned work station is remote, with services delivered in family homes.
In-person staff meetings are required in Spruce Pine area
Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to [email protected]
Pay: $18.00 - $24.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 403(b)
- 403(b) matching
- Health insurance
- Loan forgiveness
- Mileage reimbursement
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Asheville, NC 28801
