Lydia Place Family Support Specialist

POSITION TITLE: FAMILY SUPPORT SPECIALIST

MISSION: To disrupt the cycle of homelessness and nurture healing and belonging for current and future generations.

VISION: A compassionate community where everyone has a home and the opportunity to thrive.

PROGRAM: Parent Support

SUPPORTED BY: Parent Support Program Manager

SALARY RANGE: Level 5 - $24.61-$29.66/hour, 40 hours/week, non-exempt

Candidate offers consider experience, qualifications, and internal equity. Entry salary typically in the first third of the range.

BENEFITS PACKAGE: Paid time off for this position includes up to 4 weekly wellness hours, 19 days of PTO in the first year of employment (PTO includes sick time), and 12 paid holidays per year. Other benefits include agency-sponsored medical/dental insurance (current premium covered at rate of 100% for the employee), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), premium Calm meditation app subscription, and employer retirement plan contribution (current rate of 3%) after first year of employment. Lydia Place also provides a supportive, family-friendly work culture with flexible scheduling.

POSITION SUMMARY: The Family Support Specialist (FSS) delivers in-home and community-based support services to vulnerable families and children with the goal of strengthening families and reducing child vulnerability. The FSS implements home visiting programming, including Parents as Teachers (PAT) and Family Critical Time Intervention (FCTI). In PAT, the FSS facilitates parent-child interaction, development-centered parenting and family well-being for families with young children. In FCTI, the FSS works with families to navigate complex systems to help connect them to crucial supports. The FSS may also work with other curriculums based on client needs. The FSS also meets with families on a short-term basis to help connect them with basic needs around parenting and their children. The FSS will also provide information for staff regarding community programs and services available to children including early intervention, educational resources, and other supports in the community.

LYDIA PLACE VALUES:

COMMUNITY

We believe strong healthy communities are the foundation to a better world.

EQUITY

We believe it is our responsibility to actively challenge systems of oppression. We recognize

a majority of those experiencing homelessness have been marginalized.

UPSTREAM IMPACT

We believe that the best way to eliminate homelessness is to look beyond short-term solutions and focus on breaking the generational cycle of poverty.

EMPLOYEE WELLNESS

We value each other as humans first. We know that the best outcomes for our clients and our community are achieved when our team is healthy and thriving.

TO APPLY: Email resume and detailed cover letter outlining your interest, qualifications, experience, or information that may not be encompassed in your resume such as lived experience that as it relates to this position, in attached .doc or .pdf format to HR & Operations Manager, Haley Sullivan at humanresources@lydiaplace.org. You may also submit hard copy materials via PO BOX 28487 Bellingham, WA 98228. Position open until filled.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT: Lydia Place is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit and business needs, and not on the basis of race, sex/gender, religion/creed, pregnancy, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, national origin, genetic markers, military or veteran's status, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

Real-world experience has value in the workplace. Individuals who identify with non-dominant groups, who have experienced poverty and had first-hand knowledge working with system resources, and who have relevant, lived experience equivalent to minimum qualifications are encouraged to apply.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Demonstrated experience equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Education, Early Childhood Education, Social Work or other closely related field AND

o Minimum one year of experience working with young children and families OR equivalent combination of education and experience

Experience with and understanding of children’s mental health, developmental stages, and age-appropriate behavior

Experience providing parenting education and knowledge of evidence-based parenting and behavior intervention practices

Basic knowledge of housing and support resources for low-income families in Whatcom County

Ability to establish rapport and build on family strengths in the home environment

Experience working with diverse groups of people

Proficiency with word processing, Microsoft Office programs, and cloud-based internet software

Completion of background investigation that includes social security verification, professional reference checks, and a federal criminal background investigation

Valid driver’s license, access to a vehicle and proof of insurance required

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Proficiency in Spanish, Russian, or Sign Language preferred

REQUIRED CORE COMPETENCIES:

Anti-Oppressive Lens

Must be able to adopt anti-oppression, anti-racist, and trauma-informed framework to navigate complex systems of racism, poverty, homelessness, violence against women and children and other systems of oppression.

Effective Communication

Must be able to read and interpret documents, write reports, correspond verbally and in writing with clarity, and must embody active listening skills. Must be able to ask for help when needed and offer help to others when appropriate as well as give and receive feedback. Supports and explains reasoning for decisions.

Initiative

Ability to assess and identify actions to address issues independently while knowing when to ask for appropriate support.

Organization

Effectively able to manage time and develop and carry out complex timelines and action plans. Able to follow policies and procedures.

Integrity

Responsible, reliable, and accountable for actions in all settings. Open and honest about own strengths, limitations, and boundaries. Able to maintain confidentiality and commitments.

Emotional Intelligence

Must have an awareness of own emotions and be able to manage them while also being able to understand and respond appropriately to the emotions of others. Effectively manage disagreements. Ability to manage frequent high stress situations.

Open-mindedness

Adept at holding space for opposing ideas and embrace diversity in all areas of the workplace.

Courage

Willingness to step outside of your comfort zone to address uncertainty, fear, discomfort, inequities.

Curiosity

Positive change and innovation requires that we ask questions. The why’s, why nots, and what-ifs are crucial to this work and we encourage and expect employees to ask questions. We look for curiosity about ourselves, our workplace, the people, and families we serve, and the larger community.

Flexibility

Able to adapt and pivot as situations arise that are unexpected and/or challenging. Embrace needed change and manage well when faced with ambiguity.

Creativity

Thinking outside the box, resourcefulness, trying new things, approaching things differently and moving beyond the status quo.

Collaboration

Embraces a team approach with colleagues, community partners, and can work both individually and part of a team when needed. Supports organizations goals and values.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Develop, monitor and review goals with each family

Provide personal visits focused on parent-child interaction, development centered parenting and family well-being

Plan, deliver and document all visits in accordance with database standards

Utilize curriculums to deliver evidence-based programming to families

Complete at least an initial and annual developmental screening and health review for each enrolled child

Complete an initial and annual family-centered assessment with each family

Collaborate with other service providers in the community to coordinate care avoid duplication

Help parents and children in transition to other services including preschool and kindergarten

Plan and attend monthly Family Connections to give families an opportunity to build social connections, engage in parent-child interaction activities and increase knowledge of child development

Meet with housing case managers and counselors as needed to discuss needs and progress of shared families

Connect families with early childhood education programs, child-centered services, and other resources to help families reach their goals and address their needs

Collaborate with counseling team as needed for clinical interventions

Assist staff with questions and concerns related to child-wellness and family-based services

Advocate for clients from a client-centered approach which supports clients in establishing supports they need

Recognize the complexities of poverty and homelessness, and provide comprehensive advocacy services around parenting

Accompany clients to family-centered community service appointments as needed

Work closely with community partners, including DCYF, school districts, and early intervention programs to advocate for the best possible outcomes for children

Participate in curriculum trainings for certification and renew certification annually or as required

Participate in continuous quality improvement

COMMUNICATION, DOCUMENTATION, OTHER ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Fulfill all duties as a mandated reporter of child abuse or child neglect to DCYF

Maintain confidentiality when working with client data and electronic protected health information (ePHI) in all circumstances, except those required by law

Participate in weekly reflective supervision and Team Meetings

Communicate effectively with clients, colleagues, supervisors, and community partners

Maintain accurate and timely documentation of client files in AGENCY and Visit Tracker, including compliance with all contract and confidentiality requirements

Represent Lydia Place at designated community meetings and through public presentations as assigned; preserve positive relationships with providers in the community

Additional duties as assigned

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception. While performing these job duties, the employee is regularly required to listen to others and provide verbal feedback. The employee is required to sit for extended periods of time. Employee also is frequently required to stand, walk, climb, or balance.