Family Support Specialist

Women In Need, Inc. (Win); New York (NY); On-site; USD 44,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

Women In Need, Inc. (Win) seeks compassionate Family Support Specialists to assist families in Transitional Housing, supporting stability and progress toward permanent housing.

You will assess needs, plan services, build trust with families, and connect them with essential resources. Through trauma-informed care and motivational interviewing, you will engage clients, conduct wellness checks, accompany them to appointments, and document progress in a compliant manner.

Qualifications

• Experience in social services, shelters, or related human service settings.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building abilities.
• Ability to engage diverse populations with professionalism and empathy.

Responsibilities

• Conduct initial assessments and assist with service planning.
• Build positive relationships with families and provide ongoing support.
• Coordinate referrals with social services and community resources.
• Use trauma-informed care and motivational interviewing to support engagement.
• Perform wellness checks and address client concerns.
• Escort clients to appointments and housing interviews.
• Support participation in programs to strengthen housing stability.
• Maintain accurate client records and program data.
• Verify rosters, conduct bed checks, and ensure safety.
• Assist with unit inspections and collaborate with staff to maintain a safe environment.
• Participate in team meetings and professional development.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Documentation skills

Organizational skills

Computer literacy

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Electronic documentation systems

Job description

Support Families on Their Path to Stability & Permanent Housing

$21.97/Hour

THE ROLE

Win is seeking compassionate, dedicated, and service-oriented Family Support Specialists to support families residing in our Transitional Housing programs. In this role, you will serve as a trusted advocate and resource for families as they work toward achieving stability and permanent housing. Family Support Specialists play a critical role in creating a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment while helping families navigate challenges, connect with services, and achieve personal goals. Through Trauma-Informed Care, relationship building, and ongoing client engagement, you will help empower families and ensure they receive the support needed to thrive.

What You Will Do

• Conduct initial assessments of families within required timeframes and assist with service planning.
• Build positive relationships with families and provide ongoing support throughout their shelter stay.
• Collaborate with Social Services staff to identify client needs and coordinate referrals to appropriate resources.
• Utilize Trauma-Informed Care and Motivational Interviewing techniques to support client engagement and goal achievement.
• Conduct wellness checks and assist with identifying and addressing client concerns.
• Escort clients to appointments, housing interviews, apartment viewings, and other community-based services as needed.
• Support family participation in available programs and services designed to strengthen housing stability and self-sufficiency.
• Maintain accurate client records, documentation, and program data in accordance with agency requirements.
• Conduct nightly roster verification, bed checks, and other client accountability activities.
• Assist with unit inspections and collaborate with security and program staff to maintain a safe environment.
• Participate in team meetings, trainings, and professional development activities.

Who You Will Be

• You will possess a High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent education.
• You will have experience working in social services, supportive housing, shelters, or other human service settings.
• You will demonstrate strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• You will be committed to serving diverse populations with professionalism, empathy, and respect.
• You will be comfortable engaging families experiencing homelessness and helping them navigate challenges.
• You will possess strong organizational, communication, and documentation skills.
• You will have proficiency with computers and electronic documentation systems.
• Bilingual English/Spanish skills are preferred.
• You will thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment focused on client success.