Bilingual Family Resource Specialist at MERCER STREET FRIENDS CENTER – TRENTON, New Jersey

Nourish. Empower. Thrive.
Where there is a need, Mercer Street Friends finds a way.

Mercer Street Friends is dedicated to:

Mercer Street Friends has been serving Mercer County for over 65 years, addressing food insecurity, supporting families, and providing educational opportunities for children and adults. Through our Food Bank and agency partnerships, we provide more than 6 million meals annually while connecting families with the resources they need to thrive.

Join our team and be part of this vital work — where your leadership directly impacts families in need and strengthens our community.

Overview:

The Family Resource Specialist, working in the family-focused Community Schools environment, is responsible for establishing and maintaining relationships with families whose children attend the community school. Aimed at identifying the need for providing parent support, linkages to Mercer Street Friends (MSF) and community resources, models of healthy parent-child interaction strategies, and health/safety guidance. Efforts are focused on improving student and family overall wellness and availability for learning and participation in the school community. This position is committed to working with urban youth and families identified as high-risk and can demonstrate a sufficient level of trauma-informed care and cultural competence.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities:

• Conduct culturally responsive family-friendly outreach and ensure engagement with parents to make services known and available.
• Work with referred families identified/interested in establishing a connection with the Family Resource Specialist to address issue/challenges that are affecting family stability, their physical or emotional health, personal safety, financial wellness, or basic life necessities
• Develop a Family Support Plan designed to diminish challenging situations and address needs that will increase participation in opportunities for education, youth development, personal growth, and healthy social connections.
• Arrange to work with families at community school
• Collaborate with school staff via meetings for information exchange.
• Explore MSF and community resources relevant to student/family needs
• Document initial Family Support Plan and follow-up revisions/results of efforts in database.
• Track all family contacts. referrals, and follow-up activities in an assigned database.
• Maintain confidentiality of records related to the client's case management.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Public Health, Education, Social Work or relate field of study.
• Strong verbal and written skills.
• Strong organizational, and analytical written skills
• Possess maturity and experience working with families
• Experience in working with community agencies, including implementing referral processes.
• Task oriented, good time management skills
• Experience in working with culturally diverse communities/families and the ability to be culturally sensitive and appropriate
• Must be able to maintain a schedule that is conducive to the participant's schedule, including evenings, and possibly weekend hours.
• Ability to keep accurate records and prepare reports
• Must have own vehicle, valid driver's license, and acceptable driving record.
• Preferred candidate will be bilingual (English/Spanish)
• Commitment to working in a style consistent with the Quaker values of equality, integrity, simplicity, and non-violent conflict resolutions.

Physical and Mental Demands:

• 50% Standing
• 50% Sitting
• 100% Writing, speaking, and understanding English
• 100% Grasping, finger manipulation, and use of hand controls
• 100% Visual acuity, hearing memory. independent judgement, relating to others, and manual dexterity.

EOE