Family Support Specialist - School Based Preventive Services

Gateway-Longview, Inc.; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 30,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Flexible spending accounts

Wellness program

403(b) retirement plan

Flexible working options

Paid holidays

PTO

Job summary

Gateway Longview, Inc. is seeking a Family Support Specialist for its School Based Preventive Services program in Buffalo, NY. The role focuses on person-centered, strength-based case planning for youths and families referred to the program.

Responsibilities include face-to-face meetings, collaboration with schools and providers, and documentation in the NYS CONNECTIONS system. A Bachelor’s in a human services field and NYS driver’s license are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a human services related field is required.
• Valid New York State driver’s license and reliable transportation are required.
• Access to personal vehicle for daily travel as needed.

Responsibilities

• Meet assigned caseload face-to-face at least twice monthly with families and youth.
• Collaborate with schools, referral sources, and community partners to achieve goals.
• Build support networks to ensure safe, stable family well-being prior to discharge.
• Teach parenting skills, behavior management, and youth attendance and academic goals.
• Maintain accurate progress notes and documentation in NYS CONNECTIONS system.
• Participate in supervision, meetings, and required trainings.

Skills

Communication skills

Multi-tasking

Independent worker

Non-traditional hours

Transportation assistance

Cultural competence

Travel to meetings

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Human Services

Driver’s license

Tools

Electronic medical records

Data management systems

Job description

Job Title: Family Support Specialist - School Based Preventive Services

Department: School Based Preventive Services

Position Summary

The Family Support Specialist will provide person-centered, strength-based, and collaborative case planning services to identified youth and their families that are referred to the School Based Preventive Services program.

Department

Gateway Longview’s Behavioral Health & Preventive Services programs supports children and youth ages birth-21 years struggling with behavioral, social, and emotional challenges.

Agency

Gateway Longview is an equal opportunity employer committed to championing the principles of anti-racism, justice, and equity. We welcome prospective employees from diverse cultures and backgrounds, for all positions, who will uphold our values and contribute to our mission. We aim to have a leadership and workforce that is reflective of the communities we work in partnership with.

Benefits

Gateway Longview takes pride in offering an amazing benefits package to take care of our most important asset- our employees! We offer medical, dental and vision plan insurance effective the first of the month following hire date, flexible spending accounts, wellness program, employee assistance program, a 403B retirement plan, flexible working options, & several more offers. In addition to receiving up to 11 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays, employees can earn up to 33 days of PTO each year, with the opportunity to start using PTO after hire date.

Compensation

Bachelor's Degree: $22.30 - $24.38 per hour
Master's Degree: $24.10 - $26.18 per hour
* Offers based on education and years of relevant experience

Hours/Schedule

Full-Time

Professional Development Opportunities

Gateway Longview has a strong investment in developing the future leaders of the organization through trainings, advancement opportunities, and a formal leadership pipeline.

Position Specific Duties/Responsibilities

• Meet face to face with assigned caseload of clients at least twice per month in accordance with program expectations.
• Work closely with referral sources, school districts, community providers, court, and applicable agency staff to ensure collaborative efforts towards established goals for the identified youth and their families.
• Build upon support networks for each youth and their family to ensure adequate and stable supports are in place before discharge to promote the safety, permanency, and well-being of the family.
• Develop, teach, model, and evaluate effective techniques and interventions with parents/caretakers (i.e. parenting skills, behavior management, and discipline) and youth (i.e. school attendance and academic success, anger management, behavior modification) using motivational interviewing skills and a trauma-informed solution-focused approach.
• Ensure accurate, thorough, and timely completion and filing of progress notes, health/safety assessments, correspondence, and other case-related documentation in client case record and NYS OCFS CONNECTIONS system.
• Adhere to program policies and procedures to ensure efficient program delivery.
• Actively participate in regular supervision, staff meetings, and required/offered training opportunities.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to interact with clients, stakeholders, and other professionals effectively.
• Ability to multi-task and be detail-oriented.
• Ability to work independently and be an enthusiastic team player.
• Available to work non-traditional hours, including weekends and evenings to support specific programmatic schedules, crisis intervention needs, and on-call support.
• Ability to provide transportation assistance for the youth and their family as needed.
• Ability to work effectively with youth, families, staff, school personnel, and community resources.
• Ability to work with diverse populations and demonstrate cultural competence in addressing the unique needs of diverse youth and their families.
• Ability to adapt to changing circumstances and evolving organizational and community needs.
• Comfort and proficiency with electronic medical records, technology, and data management systems.
• Ability to travel to meetings at off-site locations.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a Human Services related field
• Valid New York State driver’s license, adequate auto insurance, and reliable transportation to travel locally on a regular basis is required
• Access to personal vehicle for daily travel and client transportation as needed.

An EEO/AA Agency

We want to emphasize that the preferred qualifications are not required and that we are committed to helping our future colleagues develop these preferred skills. We strongly encourage those who are passionate about fostering a diverse, inclusive and equitable human service organization to apply.