Family Support Worker
JOB DESCRIPTION
Under the supervision of the Site Supervisor, is responsible for providing supervised visitation, in home family preservation and prevention services to: 1) reduce the risk of child abuse and neglect, 2) to decrease future risk when abuse or neglect has occurred and 3) to assist the family when children are re-unified after out of home placement has occurred by optimizing the home environment. Assists in strengthening the parent-child relationship through improving parenting skills and meeting support needs of parents. Works with individual clients and groups. Provides transportation, advocacy and supervised visitation at Child and Family Services request.
JOB DUTIES
Establishes a trusting relationship with at-risk families by initiating and maintaining regular client contact
Establishes a case plan with goals, objectives and activities for each family with the Director of Human Services. Is able to satisfactorily implement case plan
Coaches parents in supportive manner, teaching and modeling positive parenting skills.
At request of Child and Family Services: assists parents in making and attending appointments for doctors, social service agencies, etc. Acts as a liaison and advocate for families with other community agencies. Encourages families to take advantage of existing positive family or community support networks
Checks voice mail twice daily or more often as requested by supervisor, and will respond to clients as needed throughout the 24 hour day as requested. Is able to identify and differentiate between those situations requiring immediate attention and those that can be scheduled during “regular” working hours
Attends regular staff meetings, meetings with supervisor, case conferences, in-service training and other staff meetings as required
Conducts supervised visitation services at the request of Child and Family Services
Records pertinent information regarding clients, in language that describes observations and actions, including worker interventions in a complete and concise manner.
Consistently follows all policies and procedures, including confidentiality
Assists in training and orientation of new Family Support Workers
Recognizes need for professional intervention and makes appropriate referrals to community resources
Performs other duties as assigned in a timely manner
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Two (2) year degree in human services from an accredited institution or 2-3 years' experience providing direct services to families.
Maturity and experience in successfully working with infants and young children (able to serve as positive role model).
Empathy and good communication to establish trusting relationships with clients.
Available to clients in crisis on a 24-hour basis with team support and able to identify a crisis situation and respond accordingly.
Able to provide transportation for clients as required by the job. Must provide own transportation to job sites.
Positive teamwork skills
Knowledge of cultural differences and issues impacting low-income families
Knowledge of community services.
Knowledge of nurturing parenting techniques, child development and stress management skills
Excellent communication skills both verbally and in writing
Ability to model a positive self-concept.
Computer skills sufficient to enter required information concerning clients and statistical data.
Working knowledge of parent-child interaction, child development materials and the dynamics of child abuse and neglect.
Valid Montana Driver's License
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE