Family Development Specialist

University of Pittsburgh Medical Center•New Castle, PA

26d

About The Position

The Children's Advocacy Center of Lawrence County is hiring two (2) Family Development Specialists to join the Parents as Teachers Team! This full-time role will work Monday through Friday day shift with some evenings and weekends possible based upon client schedules with no holiday or on call required. This home visiting position requires travel within Lawrence County. Home visitation experience is a plus! Candidates who are fluent in Spanish are encouraged to apply!

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in education, child development, family relations, social work, guidance counseling or related field required.
Minimum of one-year direct service experience working with infants, toddlers, children and/or families.
Experience working with low income and high-risk families of diverse cultures.
Knowledge of adult learning processes desirable.
Knowledge of childhood home visitation program philosophy(s), guidelines and performance Standards, and child abuse reporting laws.
Ability to develop and maintain supportive, respectful, and empowering relationships with families, children and co-workers
Automotive Insurance
Driver's License
Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting
Act 33
Act 34
Act 73 FBI Clearance

Nice To Haves

Home visitation experience is a plus!
Candidates who are fluent in Spanish are encouraged to apply!

Responsibilities

Provides supervisor with accurate, complete and timely information as it relates to clients and other program activities
Participates in service coordination meetings
Establishes positive partnerships with community resource providers
Understands the eligibility requirements and screening procedures of community resources
Promotes parent involvement in working with their children
Refers families to needed resources
Works with parents to ensure that all immunizations and other medical and/or dental follow-up are completed
Plans/conducts small group meetings/socializations for enrolled infants/toddlers and/or families
Works with parents, infants or toddlers, and families individually and in small groups on age-appropriate activities that promote language, cognitive, social, emotional and physical development
Leads parents in conducting and interpreting assessments of child's developmental needs
Assists families in identifying strengths and needs and develops individual plans to meet their needs
Builds nurturing relationships with families and regularly helps family members to evaluate their growth and development
Provides direct service to identified families and their Infants/toddlers including children with disabilities through home visits and organized small group meetings/socializations
Provide research-based home visitation with the schedule dictated by the program funder. Visits may require evening or weekend hours
Participates actively in ongoing staff development activities taking related courses when necessary, Maintains confidentiality of records and information
Obtain certification in the foundational training and maintain certification requirements
Enter data into electronic data collection system
Completes forms, maintains written records and prepares program reports as directed
Attends continuity meetings to promote a positive working relationship and mutual understanding among local providers. Meets with designated staff or affiliated organizations as needed to maintain and promote a continuing spirit of cooperation
Assists with training and consultation to potential referral sources
Identifies problem areas and makes suggestions and recommendations to resolve problems or enhance development. Assists with recommendations based on best practice standards, financial feasibility and existing resources
Assumes personal responsibility for professional development and continuing education; discusses personal goals for continued development with the Executive Director/Early Head Start & Parents as Teachers Supervisor
Recognizes and evaluates personal strengths and weaknesses and requests assistance in situations that exceed abilities or authority
Participates in reflective supervision
Adapts to and supports changes in the agency functions, management styles, or unit operations. Demonstrates the ability to independently solve problems in a proactive and creative manner