Family Support Specialist in Garden City, Kansas at Catholic Charities of Southwest Kansas Inc

Catholic Charities of Southwest Kansas, Inc.
Family Support Specialist
Work Location: Garden City, KS

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Job Status: Full-time; generally 40 hours per week
Supervisor: Executive Director and Director of Family Services

The Family Support Specialist helps individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness to obtain and maintain safe, stable housing. This position also provides Disaster Case Management services in the event of a disaster in our service area.

• Assess potential participants for the Southwest Kansas Supportive Housing Program and other housing-related services.
• Provide ongoing support and case management to help participants become more self-sufficient and maintain housing.
• Work closely with community partners to connect participants with needed resources, including housing, financial assistance, and supportive services.
• Coordinate with landlords and property managers to locate and secure appropriate housing options.
• Assist community members with Emergency Assistance applications and related documentation.
• Conduct home visits and outreach activities in the community as needed.

• Complete Continuum of Care (CoC) recommended assessments for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
• Provide accurate, quality, and timely services for housing participants and community members seeking assistance.
• Develop and maintain Housing Stability Plans with participants and support them in working toward their goals.
• Maintain complete, accurate, and up-to-date case notes and records of services, entering notes into the Clarity database within 72 hours.
• Submit detailed documentation in compliance with Catholic Charities and HUD policies and procedures.
• Communicate regularly with your supervisor and team about participant needs, challenges, and successes.
• Participate in regular supervision, team meetings, and relevant internal and external trainings.
• Maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive information in compliance with HIPAA standards.
• Act as a liaison between families and community partners as needed.
• Provide information, application assistance, and outreach related to SNAP benefits.
• Complete timely documentation for monthly reports.
• Complete Disaster Case Management training and understand your role in the agency Disaster Communication Plan.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Effective interpersonal skills and the ability to build rapport with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and TEAMS, and overall comfort with computer systems and databases.
• Ability to maintain client and agency confidentiality.
• Valid driver’s license, good driving record, and reliable transportation for travel between offices and home visits.

Education, Training, and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, or a related field preferred.
• Licensed social worker (preferred but not required; will consider candidates eligible for licensure).
• Experience in case management, housing services, or related social services strongly preferred.

• Primary work location: Catholic Charities Garden City office, with some work at Dodge City and Great Bend offices as needed (travel between offices is required).
• Standard weekday schedule with some need for flexible hours depending on client and program needs.
• Combination of office-based work, meetings in the community, and home visits.

This position is generally classified between Sedentary and Light Work, involving periods of sitting, standing, walking, and occasional lifting of up to 20 pounds. Job duties may include driving, climbing stairs and ramps, and entering and exiting vehicles.

Physical activities may include standing, walking, sitting, lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, and frequent movement of the head and neck. The role also requires coordination skills such as balancing, handling, grasping, and finger/manual dexterity, as well as safe driving.

The position requires mental abilities including alertness, problem solving, analytical ability, memory, creativity, attention to detail, and sustained concentration.

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, or related field preferred.
• Experience in case management, housing services, or related social services strongly preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Effective interpersonal skills; ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, TEAMS, and client databases.
• Valid driver’s license, good driving record, and reliable transportation for travel between offices and home visits.