Family Support Specialist

Description

About Enlace Chicago: 
Enlace Chicago convenes, organizes, and strengthens the capacity of stakeholders across Little Village to confront systemic inequities and expand access to economic and social opportunity. For more than 35 years, Enlace has served as a trusted community anchor—championing opportunity, improving lives, and building partnerships that drive lasting change.

Through our work, we advance community health, protect human rights, empower futures, promote safety, and foster resilience for families throughout Little Village. Our core departments—Education, Community Safety, Mental Health, Community Health, and Immigration & Advocacy—deliver critical, culturally responsive services that uplift and support the strength and dignity of our community.

Position Overview:

As a member of the Enlace Chicago Mental Health Services Team the Family Support Specialist (FSS) is responsible for providing trauma-engaged, culturally sensitive support services to individuals and families impacted by trauma, family separation and grief and loss. The FSS will also be responsible for providing psychoeducation to individuals and groups on various mental health topics in order to normalize mental health wellness and destigmatize accessing therapy. The FSS will provide time-limited, goal-directed and solution-focused wrap-around services tailored to the participant’s needs. Services will be provided on site at an Enlace office or at one of our partner sites. Family Support Specialists build relationships and collaborate with partner agencies, mental health providers, care coordinators, and other supports to determine a proper continuum of care for participants.

Job Expectations

• Conduct assessments to determine participants needs and develop individualized care plans.
• Provide ongoing case management services, including monitoring participant progress and adjusting care plans as necessary.
• Utilize evidence-based practices in mental health counseling and systems perspectives as needed.
• Assist participants with accessing community resources and support services.
• Maintain accurate documentation of client interactions and treatment progress in compliance with regulatory standards.
• Co-facilitate psycho educational groups. 
• Facilitate workshops in small groups on various mental health topics
• Stay informed about current trends in mental health treatment and utilize management strategies effectively.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Senior Director of Community Wellness and Mental Health Services Supervisor

Core Competencies

• Clinical Expertise: Strong knowledge of mental health conditions, evidence-based practices, treatment planning, documentation, and applicable privacy and safety regulations.
• Ethical Practice: Adheres to professional ethical standards, maintains confidentiality, and appropriately navigates ethical dilemmas.
• Cultural Responsiveness: Demonstrates cultural humility and effectiveness when working with diverse, high-risk communities across identities, backgrounds, and lived experiences.
• Communication & Collaboration: Builds rapport through empathetic communication; collaborates with multidisciplinary partners; maintains timely, accurate clinical documentation.
• Emotional Intelligence: Exhibits self-awareness, empathy, emotional regulation, and professionalism in complex or high-stress situations.
• Advocacy & Equity: Advocates for client needs and rights and addresses systemic barriers impacting access and outcomes.
• Professional Growth: Engages in ongoing supervision, consultation, and continuing education to maintain licensure and clinical excellence.

Requirements

Required Knowledge and Experience: 

• A Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Clinical Psychology, Criminal Justice and/or other related fields, required.
• Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Motivational Interviewing, Crisis Prevention Intervention, and/or ICDVP highly desirable
• 1-2 years of case management experience, highly desired
• Previous experience working with individuals, particularly males, who have a history of criminal activity, gang involvement, or impacted by community violence.
• Must have access to reliable transportation to perform essential job functions.
• Ability to speak/write/read in English/Spanish is required. 

Compensation:

The annual salary range for this position is between $58,000 to $65,000. Salary is commensurate with experience in addition to the generous benefits package listed below. 

Benefits: 

• Health benefits. Enlace Chicago offers you and your family access to a low-cost comprehensive health care plan, which includes medical (Bluecross Blue Shield), dental (Guardian), and vision (VSP) coverage. 
• Enlace Chicago also provides life insurance coverage and short-term and long-term disability insurance at no cost to you with options of additional coverage.
• Retirement program. Enlace Chicago offers a voluntary 403(B) plan which begins at a 1% contribution. Enrollment is available after a 90-day grace period beginning on the first day of employment.  An enrollment packet will be mailed to you. 
• Paid time off.  You will receive 96 hours of Upon Hire hours, which will be prorated depending on your start date. After your 3rd month, you will accrue 3.33 hours per pay period or a total of 6.66 per month . All vacation days are considered above and beyond the approved holiday schedule. Enlace has 12 paid holidays with a Holiday week between Christmas and New Year’s Day that will not be deducted from your PTO. 

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion: 

At Enlace Chicago, we are deeply committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment where all voices are heard and valued. We believe that diverse perspectives are essential to addressing the complex social challenges we seek to solve, and we strive to create a culture that promotes belonging, respect, and opportunity for all. Our mission is rooted in uplifting the stories of those who have been historically marginalized, and we actively work to ensure that our programs, partnerships, and workplace reflect these values. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and encourage candidates who share our passion for social justice, equity, and inclusion to apply. 

Enlace Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. 

Deadline for submission: Open until filled.