Whole Child Support Specialist

Title: Whole Child Support Specialist

Supervisor: Reports to Program Supervisor(s), Executive Director of Student Services

Summary/Objective: The Whole Child Support Specialist (WCSS) will be responsible for providing family support services for the families of youth ages 6 through 21, with complex, multi-system needs who are involved in our program and in need of community linkage and consultation to families. The WCSS will empower parents/guardians with knowledge of community resources, providing an understanding of rights, explanation of the service coordination process and any additional options that will help families increase their functioning across life domains.

The WCSS will build relationships with community providers and encourage the strengthening of family relationships by creating an atmosphere of trust, cultural competence, and emotional security. The WCSS should help to set ground rules to ensure the family is aware of confidentiality and mandated reporter status.

The WCSS will be expected to have 40%-50% face-to-face time with youth and their families.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 18 years of age

• High School diploma or equivalent

• At least two years' experience working with high-risk youth and their families preferred

• Personal experience as a recipient of supportive services and a willingness to self-identify as a service recipient

• Hold or be able to obtain a valid Ohio Department of Education and Workforce license

• The candidate must demonstrate successful completion of the FREDLA

Parent Peer Support Provider Training or NAMI Family Peer Support Training or the ability to complete the required training quickly following hire.

• Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License and adequate insurability

• Hold or complete a current Ohio BCI and Federal Background check free of disqualifying infractions

• Comply with drug-free workplace rules and board policies

• Participate (and pass where applicable) in all required training, including but not limited to: Bloodborne Pathogens, Crisis Intervention, Educator Ethics, etc.

• Embody high ethical standards, integrity, and accept responsibility for decisions and conduct

• Adhere to the Stark County Educational Service Center (SCESC) Governing Board policies/administrative guidelines/staff handbook, policies of the assigned district/worksite, and to the Licensure Code of Professional Conduct for Educators

• Promote the proper use, care, and security of SCESC property and report misconduct, vandalism, equipment malfunctions, and other concerns

• Advance the professional image of the SCESC and affiliate districts

• Establish and maintain professional relationships with coworkers and colleagues promoting a cohesive work environment

• Report suspected child abuse and/or neglect to supervisor and/or civil authorities as required by law

• Ensure the safety of all students

• Maintain confidentiality of student related information

Essential Functions:

• Provide family support services for youth ages 6 through 21 years old and their families utilizing the FREDLA Parent Peer Support Provider Training or NAMI Family Peer Support Training

• Maintain average caseload of 15-25 families in different phases of the Parent Peer Support training or families involved with community linkage and consultation only

• Help families understand the importance of goal setting

• Provide service linkage and consultation services to families

• Employ strategies to facilitate family engagement

• Empower parents/guardians by providing knowledge of community resources and assist them in obtaining those services

• Help the family in identifying their strengths and needs

• Assist the family with prioritizing their goals

• Consistently attend team meetings, as invited by Supervisor

• Be a liaison between families and community providers

• Create a Family Support Plan if necessary

• Help the family when recreating a plan for a youth returning home after an out-of-home placement

• Ensure that gaps in services are identified and addressed

• Documentation of family support activities

• Familiarity with additional strength-based, therapeutic care models

• Participate in individual and group supervision meetings

• Transport families to scheduled meetings or appointments as needed

• Other duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: necessary to perform duties (* indicates developed after employment).

Knowledge of: FREDLA Parent Peer Support Provider Training or NAMI Family Peer Support program; service coordination; therapeutic treatment models; strength-based program models; resiliency principles, community resources

Skills in: Analyzing problems, developing and implementing solutions; utilization of computer applications (e.g. Microsoft Office, Electronic Health Records, Data Collection Systems); written and oral communication; organization and time management; collaboration and partnership; facilitation of relationships between families and community agency representatives; team building

Ability to: Develop effective working relationships with complex needs youth and their families; work independently in the family's home and a variety of community and/or treatment settings; collaborate and partner with formal and informal community resources; communicate to help implement cross-system service coordination; ability to coordinate, resolve conflicts, problem solve, and form consensus among diverse groups of people; collect, analyze, and interpret data; prepare and maintain accurate documentation; follow verbal and/or written instructions; communicate effectively; work flexible hours

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing essential job functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This position will be responsible for meeting families where they are most comfortable, within reason. This includes the residences of families, schools, libraries, etc. to support the student and their family. Conditions of meeting locations cannot always be anticipated and may be less than desirable. This position may require some non-traditional working hours (evenings).

Working Conditions: Promote safety, exercise caution, and comply with safety regulations and district/educational service center policies/procedures when involved in the following situations:

• Risk of exposure to blood-borne pathogens, bodily fluids, and/or communicable diseases

• Potential for adverse contact by aggressive students

• Exposure to adverse weather conditions and temperature extremes

• Balancing, bending, crouching, kneeling, reaching, and standing

• Lifting, carrying, and moving work-related supplies and/or equipment

• Operate and/or ride in a vehicle

• Work at various heights, in confined spaces, and/or invariable/diminished lighting

• Report misconduct or violations of policy and procedures to the direct supervisor, appropriate administrator, or legal authority (mandated reporting)

Performance Evaluation:

Job performance is evaluated according to the policy and procedures adopted by the Stark County Educational Service Center.

The Stark County Educational Service Center is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, age, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, gender, religion, marital status, military status, or disability. Individuals are selected for employment based only on merit and qualifications directly related to professional competence. This job description is not intended to be a complete list of required duties and it is understood by the employee that other related and reasonable duties will be required if requested by an immediate supervisor or administrative staff member. This document is subject to change in response to student need, staff factors, funding variables, modified operating procedures, program/curriculum changes, and unforeseen events. The employee is expected to follow all policies and procedures in accordance with the Stark County Educational Service Center and district or department assignment.