Doula (Bilingual, English/Spanish)

Family Focus•Cicero, IL

66d•$50,000 - $50,000

About The Position

Family Focus is your partner in building strong families across the Chicago Metropolitan area! We're here to support families and their children including emergency assistance, child welfare services, family support services, educational programs, and more. Our goal? To help our communities thrive and reach their full potential! With 11 centers already up and running, we're eager to expand our reach and make an even bigger impact. That's why we're on the lookout for passionate individuals who share our vision to join our team as we grow and serve more families. Are you ready to make a difference? We want you to be a part of our journey! The Bilingual Doula is responsible for initiating and maintaining regular contact and support with participant families. The Doula is responsible for promoting healthy pregnancies, breast feeding and building a trusting relationship that offers strength-based services for families. The Doula will provide community outreach, prenatal education activities, and assist the family in preparing for childbirth through both home visiting and group based services. The Doula will advocate for participant families. These activities will take place primarily within the family's home, doctor's office, hospitals and the Cicero community.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Social Service, Psychology, Early Childhood Development, related field or equivalent experience.
Must have completed the Doula 20-session training program or must complete the 20-session training within 3 months of employment.
Bilingual (English/Spanish)
Must be on-call 24/7 to Doula participant families.
Knowledge of issues related to maternal/child health and child abuse risk.
Knowledge of child development; particularly infant/toddlers.
Considerable experience working with children, adolescents, and families
Must have dependable transportation, valid driver's license, and proof of auto insurance.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with teen mothers a plus.

Responsibilities

Assist families in initiating and strengthening the parent-child relationship prenatally.
Provide information, education and resources that will prepare the parent and her family for the birth process during home visits.
Attend and support the laboring mother and her family or support person(s).
Assist parents in improving their skills so as to optimize the bonding and attachment of the parent(s) to child and child to parent.
Facilitates and advocates in strengthening the family's support system.
Increase the family's ability to problem solve and advocate for themselves and their children, especially during the birth process.
Identify needs and refer families to additional community resources, including health care and other basic necessities.
Conduct outreach activities and educate the community.
Visits mother and baby in the home environment within 24 hours of discharge after delivery.
Maintain postpartum contact for six to twelve weeks post delivery at least once a week, plus regular phone contact and supports breast feeding and infant care as well as provide support to the new mom.
Maintain logs, documentation and data collection indicated for Doula Program. Completes standard form for each visit, documenting the services provided and educational items discussed with the client on the checklist. Take notes on client's overall emotional state and keeps track of time spent on each visit. Maintain confidentiality of client contact and documentation.
Maintain daily contact with supervisor regarding caseload and scheduling of home visits.