Family Engagement Specialist, Mid-Hudson PRC

St Catherine s Center for Children•Kingston, NY

8d•$20 - $21

About The Position

The agency’s Mid-Hudson permanency resource center (“PRC” or “center”) is designed to support and deliver specialized services to post-adoption, post-guardianship, and kinship caregiving families. [The center currently includes contracting for Columbia, Greene, Ulster, and Delaware counties] The Family Engagement Specialist has regular, direct contact with the families already participating in the center’s services, and also engages prospective families. The specialist works with families to address any hesitancies to program participation. The specialist is trained to identify social determinants that may be barriers to engagement, and works with the program’s case managers to address these barriers with the families. The specialist assists with family engagement, educational activities, as well as respite-care events. The Family Engagement Specialist is supervised by the Assistant Program Coordinator, under the leadership of the Director of Foster Care and Kinship Services.

Requirements

Associate’s degree in Human Services or related field, preferred
In lieu of a college degree, related lived experience, other related professional experience, and/or educational level, may be considered as qualifying for this position
Ability to work flexible hours to accommodate client schedules, which may include evening and/or weekend hours
Local travel is required; A Clean & Valid New York State Driver’s License (actively licensed at least one year) and reliable vehicle for transporting clients to community resources, meetings, etc. - with proof of 100/300 liability insurance coverage – required
Proficiency in computer applications: Microsoft Office and Google Business Workspace Suite, and use secure Internet practices
Self-motivated and engaged, with a strong attention to detail; Excellent writing aptitude
Comfortable working with and relating to culturally diverse and economically disadvantaged populations; ability to exhibit empathy for those in need, supporting their growth and service plan goal achievement
Capable of exercising ethical, independent judgment and discretion, and handle sensitive family and individual data with strict confidentiality
Have a professional record of integrity, proven reliability and dependability
Qualities of positivity, flexibility and adaptability to day-to-day changes with client needs and functioning
Staff in driving positions must be able to meet the agency’s minimum requirements of our insurance policy for authorized drivers; including, but not limited to the minimum age of 21 at time of hire, and the ability to maintain insurability throughout employment.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with clients who exhibit significant emotional, behavioral, and interpersonal challenges, mental health diagnoses, and/or trauma history, a plus. Experience working with at-risk families and in community services also preferred
Knowledge of and ability to utilize community resources
Previous experience working in a human services agency is a plus

Responsibilities

Regularly reaches out to families in assigned communities to realize ongoing, direct contact with the families already participating in services and with prospective families
Works with families to address any hesitancies to program engagement
Identifies and works to address any social determinants that may be barriers to participation in program activities; works with the case manager, as a team, to assist the family and support their connection to program services, reducing and eliminating any barriers
Assists with family engagement, educational activities and respite care events
Depending on the skill set and capabilities of the specialist, as assessed by the program coordinator, may manage a caseload of up to 2 families at any given time. In these circumstances, with the steady supervision of the Assistant Program Coordinator, the specialist completes monthly face-to-face contact with the families, in their homes and completes all required case documentation, including various assessment forms and service plans
Assists in the program’s community outreach, through word-of-mouth and other mechanisms for alerting community members in various targeted communities and drawing them into services
As assigned, safely transports community members and/or their children in the delivery of program services, to address basic transportation needs, or to meet the families’ other social needs linked to service goal attainment
Actively communicates program information, concerns, needs, and progress to program leadership
Completes additional position-related duties and responsibilities, as assigned by the agency’s foster care Director or Assistant Program Coordinator
Additional position-related duties and responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor

Benefits

Competitive Pay with an Excellent Benefits Package
Health Insurance options: Medical, Dental and Vision
$600 Well-being Reimbursement Benefit
Generous Combined Leave Time (CLT) and Paid Holidays!
We are a 501(c) (3) agency, which is a qualifying employer for eligible staff under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
Pension Plan with Generous Agency Contribution
403b Retirement Savings Plan
Life Insurance – Automatic Benefit at no cost to employee
Paid Training, including TCI and CPR/AED/First Aid Certification & Update courses, if role appropriate
Tuition Reimbursement & Travel/ Mileage Reimbursement
Professional Development & Career Growth Opportunities
The Comfort of a Business Casual Environment
Our Commitment to Embrace & Foster Mindfulness, Relevance, Respect and Solidarity.