Family Support Specialist

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The Family Support Specialist is on-site in the early learning setting and day-to-day client-facing supportive case management family and child service. The primary responsibility includes the recruitment and enrollment of children in all program funding applicable for the site and providing comprehensive case management services to support the child and family needs in health, nutrition, dental, mental health, and disability services, and the full implementation of the Teacher curriculum to support and strengthen parent engagement.

The Family Support Specialist is responsible for providing support to children and families to identify, develop and maintain community partnerships and resources that address health, social service, mental health, and disability needs of families. This also includes accountability to track, follow-up and ensure that families are linked to required services such as referrals, screenings, assessments, and transitions to comply with service and contractual obligations;

document services provided, maintain records and complete reports in accordance with all applicable agency, licensing and funding regulations.

Salary starts at $60,361.60 annually. This is a union position.

• Competitive salaries reflecting your skills and experience.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance for eligible employees, plus wellness programs, mental health resources, and a family gym membership.
• Generous PTO and paid holidays, with flexible work hours for work-life balance.
• 403(b) plan with company contributions for eligible employees after 2 years of service.
• Continuous learning opportunities through workshops and training programs.
• Supportive work environment valuing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Discounts on programs, employee assistance programs, and company-sponsored events.

• In cooperation with the Site Director, develop and implement recruitment plans to meet maximum enrolment, and maintain an up-to-date waiting list. Complete all related recruitment tracking instruments and reports, as required.
• Implementation of recruitment initiatives that include door-to-door community canvassing, attendance at local community events both internally within the YMCA Hubs and externally within the community and surrounding areas served. Attendance at events may be required after program hours and on weekends.
• Maintaining a current and up-to-date waiting list of 25% of enrollment capacity of eligible families for each program model, and the consistent update and record keeping of all required inquiry forms as required by the YMCA and funders.
• Determine children’s eligibility for all program models assigned at the site based on the most recent updated funding/grant guidance (EHS/HS/PI/PFA/CCAP).
• Complete and maintain all required documentation for enrollment eligibility, enrollment, health, nutrition, mental health, disability and family services.
• Conduct initial and ongoing assessments of family needs; develop resources; provide referrals and supportive services to assist families in meeting identified needs; and document and report on all social service activities, as required.
• Encourage and support parent development through implementation of parent education curriculum, volunteer and parent training opportunities. Develop and participate in parent development activities and meetings.
• Provide leadership to the child health, mental health, and disabilities functional areas and to the Family and Community Partnership Content Area, ensuring the provision of appropriate and required services including screening, assessment, testing, treatment, follow up, and transition services to all identified children and/or parents.
• Identify and develop community partnerships to extend resources and support to children and families based on their expressed and identified health, social service, mental health, and disabilities service needs; develop effective working relationships with related and relevant resources.
• Maintain professionalism in attire and demeanor; observe and respect issues of confidentiality, ethics, and best practices of the Early Childhood and Social Work professions.
• Maintain required program records in accordance with YMCA procedures, funding source and program performance standards, and applicable licensing and accreditation standards.
• Maintain current and up-to-date family and child information in the identified data system per the YMCA and grant funding requirement.
• Participate in regularly scheduled team meetings, joint staffing both internally and externally to plan for and deliver collaborative services across all components.
• Meet regularly with parents and other staff regarding each child’s status and progress.
• Conduct home visits for purposes of assessment and support, and to share information on parenting, educational strategies, and classroom progress and transitional services.
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