Family support specialist - early childhood services (missoula, mt)

Family Support Specialist - $21.00 - $26.08 per hour to start

AWARE - Missoula, MT - Full-Time

If you are passionate about providing high-quality care to individuals in your community, we invite you to join our team at AWARE.

AWARE is looking for the right person to join the team as a family support specialist.

The support we provide helps the adults, children, and families we serve become active and vital members of their community while focusing on personal growth. We are a compassionate and fully engaged team that is dedicated to providing the best possible care to our clients. Our strength lies in our culture of care, and we are looking for individuals who share our commitment to providing unconditional care to those in need.

We are committed to providing a supportive and inclusive work environment where all team members feel valued and respected. We offer competitive compensation and benefits packages, as well as opportunities for professional growth and development. If you are looking for a rewarding career, we encourage you to apply to join our team at AWARE.

Responsibilities:

• Maintains an individual caseload established with the designated Service Administrator and Service Director.
• The FSS must maintain confidentiality in completing all job tasks; provides support to individuals and their families to manage in the least restrictive setting and to enhance self-sufficiency skills.
• The Family Support Specialist will work closely with AWARE’s Clinical Professionals in providing services as assigned and developed.
• Assists the person’s entry into service and monitors the needed services throughout the service system.
• Engages family in the engagement stage to identify family strengths, needs and goals.
• Participates in a team process to develop, implement, review and evaluate a comprehensive Individualized Treatment Plan (ITP), monitors this plan as required by established rules, and keeps the ITP updated every 90 days and/or as needed.
• Provide guidance and direct services such as mentoring, coaching, behavioral support, parent education, crisis intervention.
• Identify and connect families to needed resources (housing, healthcare, education, mental health, etc.).
• Work directly in family’s home and community settings to implement plan of care.
• Model positive behavior and implement targeting strategies to improve family well-being and stability.
• Advocate on behalf of families to ensure they receive necessary services.
• Document all contact with or on behalf of the individual being served in prescribed format.
• Maintains individual charts per AWARE policy, practice, and supervisory directive.
• Plan and provide recreational and social opportunities for the client and families - - including family nights and activity groups.
• Maintains communication with Support Team members to address and plan for identified family challenges.
• Performs various coordination, monitoring, referral and follow up activities, such as attending/conducting team meetings, arranging for individual therapy, locating additional supports/resources; as defined by State of Montana and AWARE policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Utilizes H.E.L.P. (including therapeutic holds) when it is determined that a client is a danger to self or others; also performs basic First Aid and/or CPR when needed.
• Attends and participates in mandatory training, in-services, staff meetings, and committees as assigned and noted in AWARE’s Employee Handbook.
• Must demonstrate – on a consistent basis – the willingness and ability to productively utilize work time in order to meet the needs of the individuals being served as directed, with the understanding that specific fiscal goals (billing, case load number maintenance, weekly) must be met monthly.
• Records notes, billing units, assessments, referrals, and other data entry assignments via AWARE’s Electronic Healthcare Record System.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

BENEFITS:

Health Insurance, FSA, HSA, 401k, Employee Assistance Program, Tuition Advancement, Professional Development.

Requirements

Talents, skills, and abilities:

• Knowledge of human behavior and performance. Knowledge and understanding of child development and evidenced based practices. Strong communication, cultural sensitivity, teamwork, and ability to work in diverse environments.
• Ability to establish strong working relationships with adults and children. Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
• A Bachelor of Art (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) in Human Services, Psychology, Social Work, or related field is preferred; along with one (1) year direct work experience. An educational equivalency may be considered - - depending on the specific nature of the applicant/employee.
• Must have or be willing to obtain, A valid Montana Driver’s License. Must have an acceptable driving record; as well as an acceptable criminal and protective services background check.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.