Family Support Specialist

About the role

At Eliot Community Human Services, the Family Support Specialist role is central to the mission of the Healthy Families program within the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC) division. Your work has purpose within a compassionate, mission-driven team committed to resilience, empowerment, and lasting change. Eliot fosters an inclusive workplace where all backgrounds and perspectives are valued, creating a culture of belonging and professional growth. This is a benefit-eligible position that supports your well-being, work-life balance, and career development through comprehensive benefits, ongoing training, and leadership opportunities. You will own the implementation of home-based parenting education, directly guiding first-time parents through evidence-based curriculum in the comfort of their homes. This role demands your commitment to building trusting relationships that empower families to create stable and nurturing environments for their children. You will translate complex information about pregnancy, proper baby care, and child development into practical, accessible lessons tailored to each family's lived experience. You are the consistent presence that supports parents in strengthening nurturing attachments and developing effective, confidence-based parenting skills. Your work will connect families to community resources while encouraging co-parent involvement to reinforce stability and shared responsibility. You will track and document progress with integrity, ensuring that every interaction advances the goals of safety, well-being, and long-term family resilience. Through this work, you will be part of a compassionate team where your purpose is measured not only in services delivered but in lasting change fostered.

What you'll do

• Coordinate and conduct personalized home visits that deliver parenting education on optimal health, growth, and development during infancy and early childhood.
• Facilitate goal-setting sessions with parents to identify and pursue objectives related to education, work, housing, and family stability.
• Connect families with essential community resources, including educational programs, employment services, financial assistance, housing support, and medical services.
• Model and encourage positive parenting skills, nurturing parental health and wellness while promoting healthy attachment and responsive caregiving.
• Support co-parent involvement by inviting participation in program groups, activities, and shared learning opportunities that strengthen family unity.
• Maintain accurate, confidential records of each family's progress, service plans, and outcomes to ensure accountability and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate effectively with supervisors and partner agencies to align services with program standards and best practices in child welfare.
• Identify and communicate emerging needs or risks within families, escalating concerns promptly to ensure safety and appropriate intervention.
• Provide culturally responsive and bilingual support in Spanish and English to meet families where they are and reduce barriers to engagement.
• Demonstrate flexibility in scheduling, including occasional evening appointments, to meet family needs and maintain consistent service delivery.

Requirements

• Must possess a High school diploma or equivalent.
• Must have verifiable experience working with children and families in a supportive or service role.
• Must hold a Valid Massachusetts drivers license to perform home-based duties across service areas.
• Must be bilingual in Spanish and English, preferred for effective communication with diverse families.
• Must pass a background check as required by MSPCC and Eliot Community Human Services policies.
• Must meet eligibility standards set by the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (MSPCC) for engagement in home visiting services.
• Must comply with all program policies, professional boundaries, and ethical guidelines governing family support practice.
• Must commit to ongoing learning and adherence to evidence-based curriculum used within the Healthy Families program.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation ranges from $20.60/hr. to $21.75/hr., with bilingual candidates fluent in a needed language eligible for a 6% salary increase. Benefit-eligible positions include generous paid time off, comprehensive benefits (medical, dental, and vision plans), retirement savings with employer match, wellness and family support (discounted fitness services and access to trusted childcare resources), 100% company-paid life and accidental death insurance, and ongoing professional growth through training, career advancement programs, tuition reimbursement, and leadership development.

Practical notes

Location: Holyoke

Engagement: Full-time; Hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm with flexibility needed for occasional evening appointments; Travel: Local travel within Holyoke required; Visa: Not applicable; Deadlines: Not specified. Apply today and make a difference.