Family Support Specialist

Under the supervision of the Lead FSS, the Family Support Specialist will primarily be responsible for day‑to‑day activities of a comprehensive Family Resource Center (FRC) that connects families with support, resources and community. This role will support multiple campuses on an as needed basis.

• Supports a program environment that is learner centered, promotes a sense of physical and emotional safety.
• Supports positive relationships between staff and program participants/families, and between participants/families and their peers.
• Incorporates into program design the recognition and respect of cultural diversity, strengths, and individuality within and across all families, including ethnic, racial, spiritual, social, economic, educational, linguistic, gender, and geographical diversity.
• Designs, plans, and delivers services in alignment with agency and funder standards (including but not limited to MNC Youth and Family Principles and Practices, Standards of Quality for Family Strengthening & Support, Protective Factors Framework, Head Start/Early Head Start Performance Standards, including the Parent, Family and Community Engagement Framework).
• Is familiar with legislation, funding parameters, and developments in the field that affect services to children with special needs.
• Implements referral, intake, enrollment, and orientation process with families into FRC and family support services.
• Assists families in accessing community resources and networks of support, through various types of service connection such as basic/comprehensive information and referrals, family advocacy, and case management services.
• Provides and documents short‑term interventions by providing basic and comprehensive information, referrals, and resources to clients, with appropriate follow‑up.
• Uses family centered practices and works in partnership with each family to develop asset‑based Family Assessments and Comprehensive Individualized Care Plans to address family strengths and goals, and provides regular follow‑up and support to assist families in achieving those goals (must follow MNC and First 5 case management policies and procedures).
• Enhances families’ capacity to support the growth and development of all family members – adults, youth, and children by providing flexible and accessible services and support systems to respond to existing and emerging diverse family‑identified needs.
• Works in partnership with families, staff, and community partners to develop and coordinate menu of family support services offered by the FRC scope of work that addresses the strengths and needs of the families and communities served.
• Plans and facilitates group services such as parent education curriculum, parent‑peer support groups, parent leadership activities, parent/child interactive activities, etc. Some activities may require specific certification.
• Promotes family’s overall involvement and participation in program activities and fosters leadership opportunities for families within the program.
• Encourages and offers family‑to‑family peer support and networking activities.
• Collaborates in the planning and production of community and family events.
• Secures the procurement of materials and supplies for program activities and implements cost effective practices with agency resources.
• Assists center staff in maintaining parent areas organized and welcoming by updating parent information and resources.
• Provide office support, including phone coverage, front desk coverage, mail processing, inventory control, etc.
• Must be available to participate in late afternoon, evening, and some weekend activities as needed.

• Works toward an agency-wide common vision and goals related to family support services, which maximizes each partner’s strengths and minimizes the differences.
• Shares ownership of integration efforts and has a long‑term, mutual investment in its outcomes.
• Participates in weekly family support planning and integration meetings.
• Works closely with agency staff to link families to services through integrated outreach, referral, intake, assessment,…