Healthy Family Support Specialist

: The Family Support Specialist is responsible for initiating and maintaining regular (at least weekly) and long-term (up to five years) contact/support with families. This activity will occur primarily within the family’s home and be intensive (each visit should last for at least one hour to an hour and a half). The interventions should be family-centered and strength-based and directed at establishing a trusting relationship; assisting parents in strengthening the parent-child relationship; assisting parents in improving their skills to optimize the home environment; improving the family support system; and increasing the family’s ability to problem solve and assume the role of advocate for themselves and their children. The activities may also include identifying and referring for contact/appointments at other supportive agencies, including health care appointments. The Family Support Specialist will also be responsible for assisting the family in establishing goals and a plan for accomplishment of those goals, as well as the assessment of the normal growth and development of the target child. Substance abuse intervention experience is needed.