FSSA

POSITION IDENTIFICATION:

Functional Title:Family Support Specialist

Supervisor:Support Services Supervisor, Program Manager

FLSA Status:Non-Exempt

Wage:Starting $17 / hr (D.O.E.)

Position Summary:

The Family Support Specialist Assistant (FSSA) is responsible for working in a home-based intervention program with families of infants, toddlers, or children with development disabilities or delays. The primary role of the FSSA is to develop strong relationships with families in order to provide service coordination and support. Through training and education, the FSSA will enhance the parent’s ability to best support their child’s education and development. By creating an action plan in collaboration with the family, the FSSA will help to identify achievable goals and promote positive parent-child relations. Through the partnership with DPHHS, the FSSA will work with families in the community and children with developmental delays to support child development and family education. The FSSA gives back to the community by providing a service that helps families and their children to thrive.

A Family Support Specialist Assistant (FSSA) is a non-degree position. This position mirrors the traditional Family Support Specialist position essential responsibilities with the exception of the minimum qualifications andcertification requirements under Early Childhood and Family Support Division (ECFSD). FSSA’s must adhere to ECFSD approved weekly instruction and supervision sessions lead by a State Comprehensively Certified FSS to ensure Early Intervention service standards are met.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Conduct assessments of family and child needs for determining eligibility and developing an action plan.
2. Become trained in Routine Based Interviews (RBI) to better understand the needs of the family.
3. Develop an individualized care plans based on multidisciplinary input.
4. Coordinating services and working with other agencies in the community to meet the needs of the family through a multidisciplinary team approach.
5. Accurate tracking and thorough documentation of services using multiple computer programs in compliance with state regulation.
6. Completion of consumer related paperwork.
7. Thoroughly explaining policies and procedures to families to inform them of their legal rights.
8. Encouraging and coaching best practices in early childhood behavior management and parenting skills to promote self-reflection and growth by caregivers during monthly home-visiting services.
9. Maintain HIPAA compliance to safeguard individual records.
10. Monitor progress on child outcomes related to positive social-emotional skills, ability to acquire and use knowledge and skills and using appropriate behaviors to meet needs.
11. Develop a personal knowledge and skillset of early childhood development through professional development and training opportunities.
12. Provide information and guide referrals services with local school districts to support the transition into public schools.
13. Assist families in acquiring developmental disability eligibility (DD Eligibility).
14. Assist in public relations and activities to foster collaboration and support of programs and outside agencies.
15. Effectively manage an assigned caseload and meet service timelines as required through State program regulations and guidelines.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of social work, developmental disability intervention, special education, early intervention, etc.
• Knowledge of state and federal policies, legislation, rules and regulations as it relates to developmental disabilities.
• Ability to build relationships and collaborate with other community agencies.
• Ability to relate effectively with children, families, community members, and staff of diverse backgrounds.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum of one (1) year experience in a related field
• Ability to complete the FSSA Certification Application process within policy and the Early Childhood and Family Support Division (ECFSD) timelines
• Participate in weekly meetings with an assigned Comprehensively Certified FSS for ongoing instruction and supervision
• Valid Montana driver’s license or ability to obtain one within one month of hire.
• Access to a reliable vehicle.
• Successfully complete a background check.

CONFIDENTIALITY:

The position requires handling non-public confidential information. The person in the position acknowledges the confidential nature of non-public information regarding Family Outreach employees and clients. Consistent with applicable policy and guidelines, this position will respect and safeguard the privacy and confidential nature of information in accordance with Montana state law, without limiting the general nature of this commitment. The person in the position hereby acknowledges and understands that in this context, confidential information is considered all non-public information that can be personally associated with an individual and will not disseminate any such information.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The majority of the work is performed in an office environment with monthly in-home client visits.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Family Outreach, Inc. may make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is on a regular basis required to walk, talk, bend, stoop, lift, carry, push, pull, climb or balance, sit or stand for extended periods, reach with hands and arms, use hands to manipulate or feel, and to hear sounds. The employee is occasionally required to work with persons who are experiencing a personal crisis, and work under sometimes stressful conditions. Essential functions involve physical demands associated with travel by auto; working on a computer; communicating over the phone and in person; ensuring consumer safety necessitating lifting in excess of 25 pounds, exerting a minimum of 50 pounds of force, and applying consumer holds when needed; and completion of service notes.

JOB DESCRIPTION ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I HAVE REVIEWED THE POSITION PROFILE FOR A FAMILY SUPPORT SPECIALIST ASSISTANT (FSSA) AND I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I KNOW AND UNDERSTAND MY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES AS AN EMPLOYEE OF FAMILY OUTREACH INC.

Signature ____________________________________________ Date _________________________

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