Family Support Specialist

Sioux Falls, SD

Description

Family Support Specialist: Provides referral and outreach support to families; shopping education and support to vendors for Special Supplemental Nutrition for Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) program (WIC). Provides counseling and education services to clients in the WIC program in an assigned region. 

 

Functions:

•   Work as a Team in collaboration with other staff within the clinic to assure exceptional service provision.
• Works collaboratively with their local agency to develop Strategic Community Outreach & Outcomes Plan (SCOOP) plan focusing on nutrition, outreach, and breastfeeding goals for the population served.
•  Promote immunizations, oral health, and other public health services.
• Collaborates with community partners and providers to build effective working relationships, enhance referral pathways, and explore opportunities to partner in new and innovative ways.
• Explain the purpose of WIC to participants (what to expect at appointment). 
•  Document all interaction with applicants/ participants.
• Assist with benefit issuance that may include direct issuance of formula. 
• Educate participant on: 
•  Explanation of benefit start and end dates, including explanation of the pro-ration policy. 
•  Review with the participant the benefits balance list with specific foods prescribed for them. 
•  Explain how to use the eWIC card for shopping. 
•  Explain the importance of keeping the eWIC Card safe and PIN confidential. 
•  Explain how participant can help assure continued benefits by purchasing the lowest cost items and using coupons as much as possible. 
•  Prepare participant to shop for WIC foods (mock grocery store, when available); meet at retailer to teach/assist shopping for WIC foods. 
•  Educate participant on use of the participant Portal and Virtual Services. 
•  Use of the participant MyWIC Portal and Virtual Services. 
•  Provide participants with authorized Retailers for shopping purposes.
•  Provide instruction on use of the WIC app. 
•  Have the participant review the training video for shopping. 
•  Print, provide and handle reports and statistical information as requested (dual participation, high-risk, show rates, etc.
•  Print reports and contact participants to schedule appointments (follow-up contact, short certification report, clients scheduled outside of the 10/20 day limit)
•  Coordinate with the Team to review and respond to over issuance reports.
•  May act as a Vendor Liaison; provide general, local oversight and serve as point of contact for WIC retailers, investigate to resolve participants/vendor complaints or shopping issues, documenting outcome, and report ongoing/serious retailer issues to Central Office Vendor Team for follow-up.
•  Breastfeeding Complications refer to DBE, CLC or IBCLC.
•  Maintain caseload that is assigned.
•  Notify Registered Dietitian when a high-risk participant appointment (certification, recertification or PCERT) was completed. Registered Dietitian will review.
•  Assist Central Office Program Integrity Specialist with program integrity as requested.
•  May complete outreach activities with other WIC staff utilizing the Wellness on Wheels (WOW) van.
•  Participate in conferences, WIC meetings, and in-services. 
•  May participate in outreach activities and participant special events.
•  Perform other duties as assigned.

  

Knowledge/Skills:

 

• Experience in community partnerships and outreach, advocacy activities and/or training desired but not required. 
• Ability to effectively communicate with diverse cultural groups and socio-economic backgrounds. 
• Nutrition and health practices; social and economic conditions as they apply to nutrition; nutrition education methods. 
• Ability to: evaluate programs and ensure compliance; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; plan and present training sessions; interpret policies and procedures.
•  Literacy and language skills appropriate to address the needs of diverse populations. 
• Basic knowledge of women, infant, and child health.
•  Be able to effectively communicate skills that support the development of collaborative working relationships with applicants, participants, families, co-workers, and community partners. 
• Demonstrate empathy, initiative, and professionalism. 
• Will be organized, develop plans and set goals and priorities. 
• Proficient knowledge of Microsoft suites and the ability to work simultaneously within several computer programs. 
• Will work both autonomously and cooperatively with his/her team to help achieve strategic goals.
• The SD Department of Health will provide the needed training for required level of expertise to perform duties described and will have initial and annual proficiency testing for paraprofessional duties.
• Must be able to work Monday through Friday between 8am and 5pm. Working hours may extend beyond 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. workday and occasional Saturdays may be required. 
• Regular travel to satellite sites including overnight stays may be required for service delivery, trainings, or meetings. 

 

REQUIREMENTS:

• Possession of a valid driver’s license 
• BS or BA in Communications, public health, human services, or other social or health related field. 
• Reliable transportation (travel is required)
• Literacy and language skills appropriate to address the needs of diverse populations
• Post-secondary education in a health-related field is desirable
• Bilingual (Spanish) is a plus
• Case Management experience is helpful but not necessary to apply. 

Work Location: Rapid City Local Agency. Travel is required

Benefits Include:

Bi-Weekly Pay

11 Paid Holidays

Paid Vacation

Paid Sick Time