Family Support Specialist

Scope of Position:      

Lutheran Settlement House (LSH) is a non-profit, community-based organization committed to serving children, adults, and families living in Philadelphia. Within our Jane Addams Place family emergency housing program, we are seeking a compassionate and experienced individual to fill the role of Family Support Specialist in our shelter for families experiencing temporary homelessness. The primary responsibility of this role is to provide direct support to shelter residents, offering guidance and assistance in addressing mental health challenges, addiction issues, and family dynamics. Additionally, the successful candidate will serve as a subject matter expert, supporting shelter staff in understanding and managing complex familial and psychological concerns within the shelter environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Direct Counseling and Support:

• Provide individual and group counseling sessions to shelter residents, addressing mental health issues, addiction concerns, and family dynamics
• Develop and facilitate group sessions for residents that provide education and skill-building related to behavioral health, substance use, and wellness
• Establish and maintain relationships with families through regular communication, updates and opportunities for involvement
• Maintain regular open-office hours to provide additional support and guidance to shelter residents
• Develop personalized safety and support plans in collaboration with residents, tailored to their specific needs and goals
• Collaborate with shelter residents to establish achievable goals and objectives related to their mental health, stress management, and family stability
• Develop personalized action plans that outline steps to progress towards these goals, empowering residents to take control of their journey towards wellness and stability
• Implement strategies to enhance residents' healthy coping skills and support networks, fostering resilience and positive adaptation to challenges
• Offer crisis intervention and emotional support to individuals and families experiencing distress or conflict
• Support clients through crisis situations involving social, emotional, financial, relational, health, or other concerns using de-escalation techniques, safety planning, and solutions-focused planning
• Create educational materials and resources tailored to residents' needs, providing practical tools and information to support their ongoing progress and development

Advocacy and Referral Services:

• Advocate on behalf of shelter residents to access external resources and services, including mental health clinics, substance abuse treatment programs, and family support networks
• Facilitate referrals and coordinate services with external agencies and organizations to ensure comprehensive support for residents

Training and Support for Shelter Staff:

• Serve as the primary resource for shelter staff on issues related to mental health, addiction, and family dynamics
• Conduct informal training sessions and workshops for staff to enhance their understanding and ability to support residents effectively
• Collaborate with shelter management to develop and implement policies and procedures that promote a supportive and therapeutic environment for families experiencing homelessness
• Actively participates in required trainings and supervision in accordance with program and agency guidelines

Documentation and Reporting:

• Maintain accurate and confidential records of counseling sessions, assessments, and notes for each resident
• Generate reports as required by funding agencies, documenting outcomes, successes, and challenges in delivering services to shelter residents
• Other duties as assigned 

LSH is committed to creating an inclusive experience for all. Regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, or identity, we firmly believe that we serve our communities best when everyone feels free to be their most authentic self. We are an equal opportunity employer and applicants from all backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. 

·        Our benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as agency-funded life and disability insurances.

·        We offer 8-weeks paid parental leave for staff (eligible after one year of service) who give birth, adopt, or foster a new child in their home.

·        Our paid time off package includes an annual 3-4 weeks of vacation, 12 days of paid sick time, and 5 personal days to use at your discretion.

·        We observe 16 organization-wide holidays, and an early close on Fridays during the Summer.

·        Our 401k retirement savings program offers a 1% match, and we offer pre-tax flexible spending accounts for health, travel, and dependent care.

·        We value growth and learning, and offer trainings and conference participation whenever possible. We value the voices of our staff, and we offer mini-grants for staff to pilot new ideas in their work.

·        We are offer flexibility for classes, internship possibilities within our organization, and the availability for social work licensure supervision.

·        We understand that employees are people first and foremost, and are committed to an overall supportive and flexible organizational culture.

·        Our work is critical but we know it’s not easy, so we aim to infuse joy wherever possible. Whether we are offering free yoga and exercise classes, ending all-staff meetings with Karaoke or Bingo, or committing steadfast to a snack-based meeting culture – we aim to balance the weight of our work with laughter and levity as often as we can.