Family Support Specialist

POSITION TITLE: Family Support Specialist STATUS: Exempt FT GRADE:3

DEPT: Youth and Family Potential PROGRAM: Strong Families Suburban

REPORTS TO: Program Manager Strong Families Program

SUMMARY: The Family Support Specialist will be responsible for recruiting and managing a home visiting caseload for the Strong Families Program which serves atrisk families (Birth to 17). The Family Support Specialist will work in collaboration with a team to meet the needs of the families they serve through family screenings and assessments resource connections group connection events conducting outreach events meet program deliverables and helping their families prepare and transition their children into preschool.

COLLABORATES WITH: Collaborations are frequent with the Program Manager team members community partners school social workers other staff members and community groups and members.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Manage a caseload for 15 families ensuring client understanding of and promoting the development of healthy attachments and positive relationships between parents and their children

Conduct Weekly inperson home visits

Implement curriculum chosen evidencebased program model and researchbased curriculum with fidelity.

Develop and implement home visit plans group meeting agendas and lesson plans as applicable.

Maintain uptodate documentation and management of data systems and physical files

Assess all families for intake provide appropriate referrals and review parenting needs

Provide ongoing observation and authentic assessment of children and maintain documentation

Maintain all required and appropriate records data reports and statistics of member caseload

Develop homebased service plans with members that identify and address their own and their childrens needs

Develop educational material presentations flyers and creative content

Have a working knowledge of resources available in our community and be able to effectively

assist families in accessing those resources (e.g. preschool childcare housing public aid health services services legal services etc.)

Maintain client confidentiality at all times

Assist with community outreach to solicit program involvement and promote program expansion

Present on a variety of topics related to child development at schools and other local agencies

Present on a variety of topics related to child development for parents and students

Participate in all required training sessions as designated by Strong Families and YWCA program guidelines

Contribute to a collaborative hightrust team environment in a participatory positive manner

Maintain a working knowledge of trends and best practices within area of home visitation services.

Support the Youth and Family Potential Team

Opportunities for supervising volunteer mentors may be available

Supply Management/Coordination of supplies

NONESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES: Attend special events and programs as needed.

OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED: Other duties outside of the responsibilities of the position may be assigned whether for a project special needs task or other assignment.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university is preferred with a preference for coursework in Early Childhood Development Family Studies Human Services or a related field

Previous home visiting experience is preferred

Knowledge in early childhood development; working with high needs families and children

Highly developed presentation skills including listening and reflection

Strong interpersonal and collaborative skills with cultural competence for working with diverse cultural backgrounds

Ability to climb stairs and ambulate in and out of locations in all weather

Candidate must have a valid drivers license dependable vehicle and uptodate insurance

Ability to travel within the YWCA Metropolitan Chicago service area as needed

Must provide evidence of reliable and insured transportation

Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing

Ability to lift and carry up to 15 pounds

Professional Training Required: Current knowledge of the field of Early Childhood and of issues relevant to the position is required supported by twenty (20) hours of professional development annually.

EDUCATION REQUIRED: A bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in Child Development Education Social Work or a related field or certification of study or comparable length and area of study is preferred.

CERTIFICATION(s) Preferred:

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment includes office work heavy travel and in home services with families. The noise level is usually moderate. Movement requirements include walking driving sitting on the floor or kneeling. There may be a need to reach or to lift objects such as packages or supplies. Communication needs include seeing hearing and speaking. While in the office there will be periods of sitting holding a telephone and using computers. Attendance at community meetings and home visits will require heavy local travel. Reasonable accommodation will be made for an incumbent to meet the essential responsibilities of the position.

WORK SCHEDULE: Monday Friday from 84 pm this position may require work on some evenings and weekends. Regularly scheduled work time may include evenings and weekends and flexibility in work schedules is necessary as schedules will be determined by the needs of YWCA and its clients.