BILINGUAL FAMILY SUPPORT/OUTREACH SPECIALIST (PS)

CHILDRENS HOME ASSOCIATION OF ILLINOIS•Peoria, IL

4d•$20 - $23•Hybrid

About The Position

The Family Support and Outreach Specialist (FSOS) provides support and education to families with young children to provide a range of culturally competent home-based services in a variety of settings to meet them where they are, including by phone, virtual, or in-person. The FSOS attends community events and outreach services to educate the community about Good Beginnings and recruits potential participants by promoting relationships with referral sources and meeting with families to enroll them into the program. We help first- and second-time parents get ready to welcome a baby into their lives and continue to support and encourage these new families over the baby’s first three years. We offer a listening ear to parents, help them get organized with responsibilities and goals and connect to local resources. Best of all, we nurture the bond between parents and babies by playing together and talking about the baby’s growth and development! Full time 40 hours per week, flexible schedule. Work assignments may include occasional evening and weekend work may be required. Full time with benefits. Family support, such as home visiting, will be 50% and Outreach, such as attending community events, will be 50%.

Requirements

One to two years' experience working with families with young children
Coursework and experience may be considered in lieu of degree but must be a high school graduate
Spanish speaking required
Experience in public speaking, community development and work with at-risk families and diverse populations
Experience in using creativity to deliver public education about pregnancy and child development
Demonstrates education and/or knowledge of infant and child development
Demonstrated experience utilizing organizational, documentation and time management skills
Ability to establish trusting relationships
Acceptance of individual differences. Supports multiculturalism by treating all people with dignity and respect and not engaging in discriminatory behavior.
Drivers License and insured vehicle required
Ability to transport self and clients to various locations

Nice To Haves

Social Service Degree preferred

Responsibilities

Responsible for recruiting potential participants for Good Beginnings
Presents program services in a variety of settings and completing intake packets at the time of opening
Increase visibility of the programs by attending community events, networking with referral sources and engaging interested participants
Effectively engage pregnant women and/or new mothers of children under three months old, identify their parenting strengths to build upon, and use motivational interviewing to help them stay engaged in the program and overcome barriers to participation in the program
The Family Support Specialist carries a caseload of 8-12 high risk/high needs prenatal women and/or women with children ages 0-3, conducts needs/case management assessments, provides early child development curriculum to parents, case management to families, and administers developmental assessments for children and depression screenings for mothers.
Ensures visits provide client-centered, strengths-based information and support on topics such as bonding and attachment, positive parenting, child health and development, and a safe home environment.
Develop trusting relationships while assisting to strengthen the parent child relationship.
Supports families in establishing goals and plans for attaining these goals.
Supports parents in learning how to appropriately respond to their child’s cues and coach parents on strategies that foster and facilitate their child’s emerging development.
Identify and refer clients to other support services in the community; assists in making and attending health and human service appointments, including but not limited to, appointments related to educational and employment goals.
Contact referrals in a timely manner and maintain visits to all clients per the program requirements.
Complete all assessments and evaluation paperwork within program guideline.
Maintains client records and completes all necessary documentation with program guideline.
Ensures program follows all model requirements regarding Home Visits
Uses reflective capacity to continue strengthening skills in delivering this program.
Will promote positive parenting skills, optimal prenatal care, child health, safety and development and will help strengthen family functioning and foster self-sufficiency through an individualized Family Goal Plan