Job Description

Family Support Specialist

Position Summary:  

Family Support Specialists, with the knowledge of the building Principals, are responsible for working directly with students and families who are experiencing difficulties with behavior or other social-emotional issues. Family Support Specialists will also work to facilitate the implementation of Say Yes Buffalo and other partner initiatives and programs in the school in which they are assigned.

The Family Support Specialist position compliments existing BPS School Support Teams and will not reduce, interfere with, or perform services provided by any BPS employees. The function of the Family Support Specialist role is to provide services and supports to those students that have been referred by school personnel, (e.g., Student Support Team members, school counselors, attendance teachers, social workers and administrators) as requiring Positive Behavior Intervention Supports (PBIS) Tier 3 level interventions.

Major Responsibilities/Tasks

• Work directly with students linked with the Erie County Department of Social Services as referred by BPS Student Support Teams as needing Positive Behavior Intervention Supports Tier 3 services. This work can include documentation of progress, outcomes and service plans, home and family visits with some non-traditional hours required.
• Adhere to all Erie County Department of Social Services (ECDSS) laws and regulations regarding providing preventive services including requirements regarding contacts and documentation.
• Participate in on-site collaboration, facilitation and enrollment of referred students and families with identified service providers including satellite mental health clinics, in-school legal and health services, after school providers and other identified services.
• Serve as liaison between service providers and school building staff and administration, including informing school staff regarding the Say Yes services and programs offered in the building and how to refer students and families.
• Serve on relevant school management teams and supporting building specific initiatives and events as requested.
• Generate appropriate referrals for referred students and families, including food pantries, shelters and agencies that help with other needs such as clothing and housing.
• Create and support a college-going culture in school buildings, including facilitating the Say Yes scholarship application process and creating awareness of the benefits of college and the steps necessary to apply and prepare for post-secondary education.
• Participating in your employers’ community events including college and community resource fairs and other outreach events with some non-traditional hours required.
• Other duties as assigned by your Family Support Specialist Supervisor.

 Salary 53K

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work or related field, MSW preferred
• 3 years of experience in the Social Work field
• Valid NYS Driver’s License
• Believe and practice Say Yes Racial Equity Statement, “Equity will be achieved when we can all just wake up and live freely; be valued and respected; live free from structural impediments based off of perceived racial characteristics; and, have fair representation and opportunity.”  

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