Family Support Specialist (Mahoning)

Description:

OCALI is a recognized global leader in creating and connecting resources and relationships to ensure that people with disabilities have the opportunity to live their best lives for their whole lives. OCALI inspires change and promotes access to opportunities for people with disabilities. OCALI informs public policy and develops and deploys practices grounded in linking research to real life. We are seeking a part-time (10 hours per week) Family Support Specialist for the Center for the Young Child.

A Family Support Specialist is a peer mentor primarily responsible for providing guidance to families of young children to ensure that young children (birth to five) and their families have access to early identification services as early as possible. The Family Support Specialist will work at a designated office in Mahoning County.

Responsibilities and Essential Functions:

• Aid families navigating early screening, evaluation, and referral/entry into services
• Help parents with concerns about autism access resources by using the skills and knowledge you’ve gained as a parent with lived experience
• Empower families with information and support, enabling them to better support their child with a developmental delay or suspected delay
• Collaborate with local medical providers and other young child/family-serving agencies
• Engage in family outreach and community engagement activities in partnership with local agencies such as childcare providers, parent groups, healthcare providers, or faith-based groups
• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be a member of the local community in which they are hired and have lived experience as a parent of a child with autism
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Empathetic and compassionate attitude towards families facing developmental concerns
• Ability to work collaboratively with community agencies

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in a peer support or advocacy role
• Experience with applications and online environments including but not limited to: Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Forms, Excel, Teams/Zoom, and SharePoint

Reports to: Program Director: Center for the Young Child

Application Procedure: Please complete the employment application through the ESC site.