Family Support Specialist/Health (FSS/H)

Family Support Specialist/Health, with the knowledge of the building Principals, is responsible for identifying and enrolling students from the Buffalo Public Schools, Buffalo Charter Schools and in the City of Buffalo or surrounding community, who meet the eligibility requirements for New York State’s Children’s Health Home program. The FSS/H will work directly with students and families who are experiencing difficulties with medical/developmental, behavioral, or other social-emotional needs. FSS/H will work with a child/youth, and caregivers when appropriate, to address social determinants of health which may be a barrier to school engagement, academic success, or overall quality of life. The FSS/H will develop a Plan of Care with children and youth enrolled that focuses on goals and action steps which are client-driven and will increase their ability to be healthy and successful. 

The Family Support Specialist/Health 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 FSS/H 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). The FSS/H will also accept referrals from the overseeing Health Home agency, as well as community partners. The function of the FSS/H role is to reduce utilization associated with avoidable and preventable inpatient hospital stays, to reduce overutilization of emergency room visits and  to improve academic and well-being outcomes for children and youth between 0-21 years of age. Eligibility for services is based on either two chronic conditions (physical, behavioral or developmental) or one single qualifying condition as outlined by the Department of Health. The child or youth must also have Medicaid or a Managed Care Plan to qualify for services.

Major Responsibilities/Tasks

• Work directly with eligible children following a referral from Buffalo Public Schools, community partners, parents/caregivers, and/or Health Home agency.
• Collaborate with school building administrators, school nurses, student support team members (social workers, guidance counselors, school psychologists, etc.), and other departments within Say yes Buffalo to support children and youth in the program or potentially eligible for services.
• Participate in on-site collaboration, facilitation and enrollment of referred students and families with identified service providers including, but not limited to, satellite mental health clinics, in-school legal and health services, after school providers and other identified services.
• Participate in relevant school meetings such as Tier III Problem Solving meetings or Return from Suspension meetings.
• Document all case specific activities, including outreach, assessment, plan of care development, client progress, home and family visits
• FSS/H will engage students during the school day but will also engage families in the home and outside of normal school hours as needed.
• Administer Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths-NY as a comprehensive assessment tool to determine acuity of care needed.
• Develop a comprehensive client-centered health assessment inclusive of medical, behavioral and social service needs.
• Conduct case conferences with multidisciplinary team members including primary care physician, whenever possible or applicable, to assure changes in medical/behavioral conditions and treatment are appropriately addressed.
• Link and refer children/youth to needed services to support overall Plan of Care goal and objectives.
• 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.
• FSS/H will participate in community events including community resource fairs and other outreach events with some non-traditional hours required.
• Be a part of the school culture by supporting school initiatives and events, promoting a college-going atmosphere, and collaborating with school staff on innovative ways to address student and family needs.
• Other duties as assigned by your Family Support Specialist/Health Supervisor and Say Yes Administration.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or related field with 2-3 years of experience in case management or care coordination.
• Health Home experience preferred but not required.
• 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.

Competitive Pay of $53,000 per year

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.