Family Support Specialist
Job Type
Full-time
Description

Family Support Specialist


Grand Junction, CO


Description

Family Support Specialist

One Full-Time Position. 40 hours per week.

Hours vary depending on business need

Hiring Range: $19.50 - $20.67 / hr., depending upon education and experience.

This position will remain open until filled.


Position Summary 

The Family Support Specialist provides direct support to children and families through parenting education, supervised family time, and therapeutic skill-building to strengthen family functioning and achieve treatment goals. This role collaborates with treatment teams, maintains timely documentation, and promotes the safety, well-being, and success of children and families.


Minimum Requirements

Required:  

• Ability to obtain and maintain eligibility as a Colorado Medicaid Qualified Behavioral Health Assistant (QBHA) within 6 months of hire and maintain compliance with all applicable Medicaid requirements.

• Minimum of one year of experience working with children, youth, and families. 

• Minimum of one year of experience facilitating parenting education, family time visits, or therapeutic interventions.

Preferred: 

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work, counseling, psychology, or a related behavioral health field. 

• Two years of experience in child welfare, I/DD services, Medicaid programs, grant-funded services, and HIPAA compliance.


We care about our team! At Ariel we offer an expansive benefit package:

Subject to Eligibility. 

• Medical, Dental, and Vision at affordable rates.

• Group Life Insurance 100% covered.

• Group Accident, Hospitalization, Identity Fraud, and Critical Illness plan available at a discounted rate.

• HSA & FSA employee funded accounts. 

• Generous Paid Time Off accrual - 13 PTO days in the first year, 48 hours of paid sick leave, and 11 paid holidays. 

• $50/month for participation in Wellness Program.

• Retirement 403B & 403B employer match up to 5% at one year anniversary.

• Mileage Reimbursement

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 

• And committed to a Culture of Awesomeness!


Ariel Clinical Services has been in business for over 30 years!

• Ariel has grown significantly since its early days of serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Today, we offer a broad range of services including residential programs, vocational support, foster care and adoption, therapy, and much more. 

• We are proud to say we have expanded our reach beyond the Western Slope! Now, we provide services in Denver, Colorado Springs, and Pueblo.

• At Ariel, we deeply value our community and recognize the vital role it plays in the lives of our members and employees. That’s why we’re committed to staying engaged through both financial contributions and hands-on service initiatives.

• As we continue to grow, we’re equally committed to fostering professional growth for our team. Many of our entry-level roles offer clear pathways for advancement within the organization.



Ariel Clinical Services Mission 

To provide safe, nurturing, and supportive environments for children, families, and adults so that they may have the opportunities to develop their strengths, maximize their potential, and fully participate in society. 


Requirements

Essential Duties and Responsibilities  

1. Coordinate, schedule, and facilitate parenting classes, parent education, and therapeutic skill-building activities that support treatment goals and improve family functioning. 

2. Facilitate and supervise family time visits in the office and community, ensuring a safe environment while providing coaching, feedback, and skill-building to strengthen parenting practices and parent-child relationships. 

3. Provide behavioral support and reinforce therapeutic interventions for children and families in collaboration with therapists and treatment team members. 

4. Observe, assess, document, and communicate client and parent progress, strengths, concerns, parent-child interactions, treatment outcomes, goals, and updates with clients, supervisors, treatment teams, and community partners.

5. Attend case consultations, team meetings, court hearings, and Department of Human Services meetings as assigned. 

6. Complete timely documentation, reports, and Medicaid-compliant service notes.

7. Build and maintain professional relationships through effective communication, sound judgment, accountability, confidentiality, and appropriate boundaries.

8. Maintain emotional stability and resilience by remaining calm during crises, responding appropriately to challenging situations, and ensuring the safety and well-being of children and families. 

9. Participate in supervision and training and other assigned duties. 

10. Support and uphold the agency's mission, vision, values, policies, and program requirements in all aspects of service delivery.


Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 

1. Knowledge of child and adolescent development, family dynamics, trauma-informed care, and behavioral health principles.

2. Ability to facilitate parenting education, model effective parenting skills, and provide constructive coaching and feedback.

3. Ability to observe, assess, and accurately document client progress, parent-child interactions, and service outcomes.

4. Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, including active listening, conflict resolution, and relationship building.

5. Ability to build rapport and effectively engage individuals of diverse ages, abilities, backgrounds, and behavioral health needs.

6. Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain accountability for assigned responsibilities.

7. Ability to remain calm, exercise sound judgment, and respond effectively in crisis or high-stress situations.

8. Ability to maintain confidentiality, professional boundaries, and ethical decision-making in a variety of settings.

9. Proficiency in basic computer applications and electronic documentation systems.

10. Ability to provide court testimony and maintain professional documentation in child welfare proceedings.

11. Commitment to supporting the agency's mission, vision, values, and person-centered, family-focused services.


Certifications/Licenses 

1. Valid Colorado Driver’s License with an acceptable driving record.

2. Triple P Parenting Education within 60 days. Informed Supervision –deviant sexual behaviors training - within 60 days of hire, may not be left unsupervised with clients until this training is completed. 

Supervisory Responsibilities 

Will give input to performance reviews, program practices and outcomes, training needs, etc. Will provide on-the-job training and performance coaching.


Physical Demands 

1. This position requires that the incumbent be capable of walking, bending, standing, sitting, stooping stretching, and/or reaching regularly for periods up to two hours without a break.  

2. This position requires that the incumbent have adequate hand and finger dexterity to properly perform the functions of the position.

3. This position requires lifting regularly up to 25 pounds and pulling or pushing people in wheelchairs. Must be able and willing to transfer people weighing more than 50 pounds to and from wheelchairs with assistance from another staff member.

4. At times, physical interventions may be required.

5. This position requires the ability to hear, see, smell and distinguish temperature, at a level which is adequate to ensure client and staff health and safety.  Adaptive devices are acceptable.

6. This position will require daily driving of up to one hour per day and occasionally as needed.


Work Environment 

1. Exposure to typical climate-controlled office environment when in the office. 

2. Exposure to all climates and weather conditions while working in the field. 

3. Exposure to blood borne pathogens and infectious disease is possible, but limited. 

4. Exposure to hazardous chemicals is possible, but limited.


Required Background Checks & Documentation 

1. Central Registry for child abuse

2. Criminal Background Investigation (CBI)

3. CBI Sex Offender Background Check

4. National Sex Offender Background Check

5. Federal Background Investigation (FBI) in CO > Two years  

6. Reference check 

7. Office of Inspector General

8. I-9 Documentation

9. Driver’s License Record

10. Reliable Automobile with adequate, valid auto insurance.


Salary Description
$19.50 - $20.67 / hr