FAMILY SUPPORT SPECIALIST SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, AND JOB REQUIREMENTS
Updated: Jun 13, 2025 - The Family Support Specialist is proficient in English and Spanish and skilled in case management, home visitation, and group facilitation. This role requires effective communication, the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment, and a strong knowledge of community resources to connect families with essential services. This position handles complex family dynamics sensitively, makes sound judgments to ensure child safety, and supports positive child development through family-centered approaches.
Essential Hard and Soft Skills for a Standout Family Support Specialist Resume
- Service Coordination
- Event Planning
- Data Management
- Curriculum Development
- Social Skills Training
- Resource Referral
- Documentation
- Program Coordination
- Enrollment Management
- Crisis Intervention
- Communication
- Community Networking
- Family Support
- Relationship Building
- Advocacy
- Collaboration
- Problem Resolution
- Goal Achievement
- Case Management
- Teamwork
Summary of Family Support Specialist Knowledge and Qualifications on Resume
1. BS in Family Studies with 2 years of Experience
- Experience working in customer service
- Proficient in Office 365 including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
- Demonstrate ability to learn and understand basic office software applications
- Excellent verbal and written communication, organization and follow-up skills
- Excellent relationship-building skills and the ability to work both individually and as a member of a team are necessary
- Ability to work effectively within a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
- Able to provide own transportation to and from clients' homes and/or other relevant organizations/agencies.
- Able to clear a DCS Central Registry Check.
- Able to clear a random annual drug screen.
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills with keen ability to deal with detailed, and sometimes ambiguous, information
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to relate to individuals who may not share basic commonality, including value system and behavior norms.
- Experience in working with culturally diverse communities and families with the ability to be culturally sensitive
2. BA in Psychology with 3 years of Experience
- Experience providing psychoeducation to children and families.
- Demonstrated supervised experience in providing counseling and/or psychotherapy/psychoeducation services.
- Excellent organizational skills, dependent and responsive with attention to details and ability to prioritize multiple tasks
- Ability to work effectively in a team environment, excellent interpersonal skills with a positive attitude and maximum discretion when handling sensitive and confidential information
- Ability to accept personal differences, establish trusting relationships, and work with culturally diverse populations.
- Knowledge of and experience in the areas of trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, diagnostic assessment, family systems theory and group treatment.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.
- Client-service oriented, being sensitive to the client’s immediate needs.
- Extended knowledge of community and social services in Miami-Dade County.
- Strong communication and writing skills.
- Able to meet training and agency requirements for the position.
- Creative and knowledgeable about community resources.
- Ability to establish and maintain personal/programmatic boundaries while providing supportive services.
3. BA in Human Services with 2 years of Experience
- Fluent in English and Spanish and possess strong communication skills.
- Experience working with youth/adults/families, case management/home visitation, and group facilitation.
- Knowledge of community resources.
- Ability to handle multiple tasks; strong interpersonal skills; culturally-competent
- Ability to model and redirect parents in their guidance and nurturing of children.
- Ability to engage families and children who are dealing with safety issues and other related problems to improve family functioning that ensures positive child development.
- Ability to make sound judgments, to use supervision effectively and to take independent action if needed to ensure child safety. Is cool under pressure and can effectively cope with change.
- Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to communicate effectively both in oral and written communication, including the ability to write factual progress notes and effectively present information in individual and group settings with a variety of audiences.
- Capacity to help families make strong connections with community resources and knowledge of community resources and services available to support program participants.
- Ability to relate to families from a strength-based model, even in an apparently chaotic family environment
- Ability to approach families from a family-centered service model
4. BS in Child and Family Studies with 3 years of Experience
- Ability to successfully function under pressure in critical situations
- Ability to interact with diverse backgrounds and socioeconomic levels.
- Effectively manage conflict and crises.
- Strong problem-solving and analytical thinking.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion.
- Excellent organizational and time management.
- Successful collaborative skills working with a variety of groups.
- Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
- Competency with MS Office and database management.
- Understanding and sensitivity of the intersectionality of race and domestic violence.
- Ability to speak the primary language of the clients they are working with.
- Knowledge of normal child growth/development and parent-child relationships.