Family Support Specialist, Missoula (must be local)

## Job Description

Ready to make a tangible difference in the lives of vulnerable children and families?

We invite you to join our dynamic home-based intervention program as a Family Support Specialist (FSS). This rewarding role places you as a vital partner and advocate for families raising children with developmental disabilities or delays.

The FSS primary mission is empowerment

• Forge strong, meaningful connections to build trust and collaboration
• Empower parents through expert service coordination, personalized parent coaching, and tailored education, directly enhancing their ability to champion their child's development.
• Facilitate growth by developing collaborative action plans, setting achievable milestones, and nurturing positive parent-child relationships.
• Amplify impact by engaging actively with multidisciplinary teams and fostering crucial community partnerships.

This is more than a job; it’s a profound opportunity to help families and children not only cope but truly thrive. If you are passionate about building genuine relationships and community impact, explore this exciting opportunity.

**Location & Flexibility: Administrative duties are completed remotely; however, regular in-person services are required in family homes and community settings, so candidates must live locally.**

**Missoula Wage Differential:** Employees assigned to the Missoula service area receive an additional **$1.50 per hour** geographic wage differential, which is added to the base hourly wage. *(Current differential: $1.50/hour.)*

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Conduct assessments of family and child needs for determining eligibility and developing an action plan.
2. Becoming trained or certified 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 and Federal program regulations and guidelines.

## Qualifications

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

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited College or University required.
• Ability to complete FSS certification process within policy and DPHHS Montana Milestones Program timelines.
• 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.