Family Support Specialist - Salem County

If you want to make a living by making a difference, join Acenda as an

Job Title: Family Support Specialist

This position covers Salem County.

About Acenda Integrated Health

Acenda Integrated Health provides 100+ behavioral health programs, including mental health services, crisis care, substance use recovery, family therapy, maternal and pediatric support, and residential programs across New Jersey. Our team enjoys competitive benefits, work-life balance, professional development, and team engaging events. Acenda is recognized as a multi-year Top Workplace by USA Today and The Inquirer and a Top Workplace Culture award winner for Work-Life Balance as well as Joint Commission accredited and certified by MHCA and the New Jersey Alliance for Children, Youth, and Families. Join #TeamAcenda and make a lasting impact.

Job Overview

As a Family Support Specialist, I conduct outreach to families referred through Central Intake or service providers and use standardized screening tools to determine eligibility for home visitation services. I interview parents using the Parent Survey to assess strengths and risk factors, helping families set goals, develop plans, and enhance their problem-solving and advocacy skills. Additionally, I support healthy child development by monitoring growth milestones and connecting families with community and healthcare resources as needed.

Program Info

The Healthy Families program provides in-home education and supportive services to new and expectant parents. Home visitors work to link parents to existing social service and health care resources, and promote positive parenting and healthy child growth and development. The program typically lasts from pregnancy through the child’s 3rd birthday. Services are currently available in English and Spanish.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Will outreach families referred through Central Intake or a Service Provider.
• Use a standardized screening tool to determine eligibility for home visitation services.
• Interview/conduct the Parent Survey with parents to identify strengths/risk factors to support the family throughout home visitation services.
• Assist in increasing the family support system and increase the family's ability to problem solve and assume the role of advocating for themselves and their children.
• Responsible for assisting the family in establishing goals and a plan for the accomplishment of those goals. The assessment of the normal growth and development of the target child.
• Identify and refer to other supportive agencies, including healthcare appointments.

Requirements:

• Minimum of a High School Diploma or GED equivalent with two years of experience in working with children (0-3 years of age) and families
• Knowledge of normal child growth/development and parent-child relationships.
• Experience in working with community agencies, including implementing referral processes.
• Ability to travel throughout New Jersey to attend required core training, curricula training and ongoing training required by the model and/or agency.
• Must have an acceptable driving record and use of an insured vehicle.

Preferred:

• Infant mental health endorsement level I or II
• If serving a bi-lingual community, the FSW should be proficient in the first language of the community.

Additional Information:

• Base Pay: $21.64
• Sign-on Bonus: $2000
• Bilingual Rate: An additional $1.50/hourly rate added to the base pay if Spanish proficient.

What we provide:

• An Innovative culture that encourages you to grow and learn with the agency
• Mission-driven core
• Health, Vision and Dental coverage for you and your family
• 401(k) with 100% employer match on the first 5% of comp
• Generous time-off
• Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Year-end bonuses

Acenda Integrated Health is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Department/Program