Family Support Services Specialist II

Mission of Focus Points Family Resource Center:  To build better communities by strengthening families. 

Scope of Organization:

For nearly 28 years, Focus Points has worked successfully to transform the lives of low-income and working families in Northeast Denver and beyond. Focus Points serves over 2,900 participants each year, most of whom are Spanish-speaking immigrants.  Focus Points is strongly committed to our values around collaboration, equity, and integrity which add to our four pillars:

• Family Support – Advancing family sustainability through classes and guidance, using a goal setting and strength-based approach.
• Community Resources – Connecting people to resources that advance health equity, financial stability, networks, and community.
• Education – Opening doors to success for children and adults by providing training and high-quality instruction.
• Economic Inclusion – Driving economic stability for communities, families, and individuals by teaching new job skills, advancing careers and co-creating businesses and social enterprises with community.

Role

The Focus Points Family Resource Center’s Family Support Services (FSS) Department helps vulnerable families connect to resources, services, and tools needed to become self-reliant in our Globeville, Elyria, and Swansea neighborhoods and other nearby communities. The FSS Specialist builds nurturing relationships with families and regularly helps family members to evaluate their growth and development. Also, the FFS Specialist assists families in identifying strengths and needs and develops individual case management plans to meet their needs.

Responsibilities & Activities

• Receives training in Family Development Credentials within the first six months, (i.e., Standards of Quality, CFSA2.0, Motivational Interviewing, public assistance applications and services, etc.)
• Completes 30/60/90-day onboarding work plan.
• Assists individuals/families with family support services.
• Holds case management load of up to 13 families per fiscal year with CFSA2.0, goal setting program.
• Coordinates referrals and advocate for participants to outside agencies or other Focus Points programs when necessary.
• Completes required CFSA follow-up with participants after 30, 60 and 90 days and more often if necessary.
• Makes internal referrals directly with Mental Health clinician and other departments, as needed.
• Supports families with public assistance applications (i.e., LEAP, EOC, Medicaid+, SNAP, TRUA, and others).
• Meets with Family Support Services team regularly to discuss activities, budget, goals and objectives, as well as relevant issues pertaining to family development services and programs.
• Participates in maintenance/revisions of yearly program calendar.
• Collaborates in developing professional goals (6 months and yearly) and provide feedback on areas of growth and celebrations.
• Participates in webinars and other professional development opportunities as required by grants or program area.
• Maintains a professional attitude and adheres to a high level of confidentiality toward participants and Focus Points staff.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Competencies

• Bilingual and Biliterate: ability to understand and communicate effectively with English and Spanish speaking participants and staff through oral and written expression.
• Computers Skills: ability to independently work on computers, use the internet, and Microsoft Office 365 (such as Outlook, SharePoint, OneDrive, Word, Excel, and Teams); virtual calls, and database entry.
• Verbal and Written Communication: ability to articulate participants’ needs and status reports to team and/or supervisor, staff in the organization, and/or network providers to gather information and make warm referrals as needed.
• Cultural Awareness: supports participants in a culturally responsive manner which reflects their values, needs, and personality.

Preferred Competencies

• Resource Navigator: assist participants to access necessary services through direct service or referrals to partner organizations.
• Interpersonal Skills: guide conversations to assess participant’s needs and goals.
• Data Entry: ability to use internal databases to enter and track participants supported by Family Support Services, such as Colorado Department of Human Services’ SalesForce and Family Resource Center Association’s SalesForce.
• Critical Thinker and Solution-Focused: ability to collaborate with internal team when problems arise to problem-solve and provide creative solutions to challenging, multi-faceted problems.
• Flexible and Adaptable: ability to adjust to changes in duties or schedule as required by program and service delivery. Weekend and/or evening events may occur.

Other Requirements:

• Valid Driver’s License
• Reliable transportation
• Mobile phone service

 COVID-19 Precaution(s):

• Hybrid interview process
• Virtual meetings
• Sanitizing, disinfecting, or cleaning procedures in place

Status: Part-Time – 20 hours/week

Salary: $20/hour

Benefits: Sick time and IRA eligibility

Diversity Statement:

Personal or professional commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion as demonstrated by persistent effort, active planning, allocation of resources and/or accountability for diversity and inclusion outcomes. Applicant must share a commitment to anti-racist work. 

 Submission of Cover Letter, Resume, and Three References: 

All interested applicants must submit a letter of interest, resume, and at least three professional references. We are hiring on a rolling basis; applicants should apply as soon as possible. Please email the application forms to Mayra Aviña, Senior Manager of Family Support Services at mavina@focuspoints.org.

No phone calls.

 Focus Points Resource Center is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits unlawful discrimination based on age, race, sex, color, religion, national origin, disability, military status, genetic information, ancestry, creed, gender identity or expression, and sexual orientation, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.