The 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
• Work with building administrators to implement tasks related to the Say Yes Student Management System (SMS) for students, parents, and teachers, including questions related to survey completion and how to access individual student growth plans and data driven interventions and outcomes
• 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 supporting 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’ (Say Yes Buffalo and Child & Family Services) community events including college and community resource fairs and other outreach events with some non-traditional hours required

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or related field, MSW preferred
• Three (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.”

Say Yes Buffalo is an Equal Opportunity Employer:

Say Yes Buffalo provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran or familial status, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Say Yes Buffalo complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)