Family Support Specialist

Job Summary

The Family Support Specialist provides family- and child-centered, culturally and linguistically based home visit services for families (Deaf, DeafBlind, DeafDisabled, Hard of Hearing, LateDeafened, and hearing), referred to as *Deaf, and their children to ensure age-appropriate language development and access to cultural, linguistic, and educational resources. Work hours are based on family needs, which may include some nights and weekends.

Essential Job Functions

Family Services Coordination

• Minimum of three days per-week on-site presence required
• Regularly meet with clients and families via videophone, Zoom or in person for services and other critical stages of their case. 
• Develop a *Deaf-centric mentoring service plan focusing on pre-school and kindergarten readiness.
• Provide services such as ASL teaching, bilingual language development, Deaf culture training, and community connections.
• Use Deaf Mentor Curriculum as a guiding platform.
• Revise and update service plans as needed; submit weekly reports.
• Assist in creating accessible visual environments and connect families with *Deaf mentors.
• Support recruitment of diverse *Deaf families by developing outreach materials.
• Engage in program strategic planning for underserved groups (BIPOC, LGBTQ+, non-signing youths).
  
• Coordinate and maintain program statistics and conduct assessments.

Direct Client Services

• Provide advocacy, one-on-one support, and educational consultations.
• Orient clients to DCARA services, assist with documentation, and provide communication access.
• Enroll clients and maintain records using Salesforce.
• Advocate for communication access and accommodations.

Direct Leadership

• Lead family-related workshops, classes, and programs, including Club Saturdays and ASL classes.

Other Job Functions

Business Relations

• Build relationships with other agencies to promote awareness and bridge service gaps.
• Educate businesses on Youth & Family Service needs.
• Support awareness workshops twice a year and stay knowledgeable of relevant laws (e.g., IDEA, ADA).
• Travel as needed for client appointments.

Documentation Duties

• Maintain client records and input data into Salesforce daily.

Required Education and Experience

• AA in Child Development, Psychology, Counseling, Social Work, Deaf Education, or related fields OR 2 years of experience in youth education or child care.
• Fluency in ASL and written English.
• 2+ years of experience working with families.
• Cultural-linguistic respect for *Deaf communities.
• Knowledge of child development, language development, and SB 210 milestones.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and computer skills.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace, DocuSign and similar software.

Desired Education and Experience 

• BA in Child Development, Psychology, Counseling, Social Work, Deaf Education, or related fields OR 4 years of experience in youth education or child care.
• Fluency in ASL and written English.
• Experience with independent decision-making, while being receptive to feedback.
• Ability to work on diverse teams and understand culturally appropriate service delivery.
• Proficiency with Salesforce platform is desired but can provide training.

Benefits

• Employee Full Coverage: Health, Dental and Vision Plans
  • Optional to add members at competitive rates
• Life Insurance
• Paid Benefits
  • Twelve (12) Holidays 
  • Generous Sick Leave
  • Competitive Vacation Package 
  • Weekly Wellbeing Hour
    

*Work Location Requirement: This is a primarily in-person position. Must be based within commuting distance of San Leandro for three mandatory in-office days per week. Remote work is only permitted when approved for specific situations and is not a standard benefit. Applicants must live within the Bay Area and be available to meet with clients on short notice. This is a client-facing role requiring regular on-site presence.

Our Workplace Culture

Our workplace culture is a fun, challenging, and caring working environment where you can grow your career. We work together by being inclusive to everyone - including ideas, of people, of points of view. Individually, we are experts at what we do. Collectively, our impact is even greater. You’ll find some of the best and most satisfied staff working for the agency. At DCARA, you will be able to use your experiences, abilities, creativity, and energy to work and discover the talents within yourself as you enrich the lives of Deaf* (Deaf, DeafBlind, Deaf with disabilities, hard of hearing, and late-deafened) community members.

Living in the Bay Area

DCARA is located in the beautiful Bay Area / North Coastal of California, known for its large Deaf* community, warm climate, highly educated communities, historic buildings, and an exciting array of activities for everyone, including cultural events, professional sports, trips up and down the Pacific coastline, wine tasting in Napa and Sonoma Valley, hiking around Redwood Giants, and many other community activities. You will also live near many of the world’s Global companies (Google, Apple, Facebook, for example) which are located in the Bay Area. There is no better place to live than California as the world’s fifth largest economy!

Equal Employment Opportunity
DCARA is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace.  DCARA is an at-will employer and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees, including Deaf, DeafBlind, Deaf with disabilities, hard of hearing, and late deafened people. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

How to Apply
Interested applicants should submit their resume and cover letter to https://dcara.org/careers/.

Join us in empowering Deaf* communities! Be a leader, an advocate, and a champion for change at DCARA.