Family Support Specialist II - Healthy Families

Polk County, FL•Bartow, FL

62d•$18•Onsite

About The Position

Healthy Families is a free, voluntary, home visitation program designed to promote and enhance the healthy development of children and families. The program (parenting classes, parenting programs) promotes positive parenting and works to reduce negative childhood outcomes, including abuse and neglect. The program offers outreach services designed to build trusting relationships, promote positive parenting, enhance maternal-infant bonding and attachment, enhance the child's physical, emotional and educational development, and enhance parent-child interaction. Assistance also is provided to participating families in the use of available community services and resources.

Requirements

Graduate of an accredited high school or possess an acceptable equivalency diploma and have two (2) year experience in family support work.
Must possess a valid driver's license and be able to secure a valid Florida driver's license at the time of employment. Ability to provide transportation for self on a daily basis to complete scheduled home visits with participants. Must provide proof of valid insurance with the minimum coverage required by Florida law.
A comparable amount of related training and experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications.
At least two (2) years' experience working with or providing services to children and families.
At least two (2) years' experience working with the culturally diverse populations present among the site's target population (economically disadvantaged, minorities, etc.).
At least two (2) years' demonstrated knowledge of infant and child development (through babysitting, childcare, and/or classroom work).
At least two (2) years' experience in a job or environment requiring openness to reflective practice. (i.e. has capacity for introspection, communicates awareness of self in relation to others, recognizes value of supervision, etc.).
Applicant is required to complete a Level 2 background screening (FBI Check) prior to employment. Applicant must also sign the Healthy Families Florida Standards of Confidentiality and Information Sharing Form, The Department of Children and Families Security Agreement and the Affidavit of Good Moral Character form prior to employment.
Must be willing and able to work a flexible schedule to accommodate the needs of program participants. Must have an active phone number at the time of employment as employee is subject to call.
May be exposed to safety hazards, contaminations, and infectious diseases including HIV and Hepatitis virus.
Any Healthy Families staff personally involved in a Department of Children and Families investigation is required to notify their direct supervisor. Due to the nature of the work done by Healthy Families, this type of incident and/or failure to report such an incident may put the program in a position of public disrepute and therefore result in disciplinary action for the employee.
Must have the physical, developmental, and mental ability to perform job tasks, work efforts, responsibilities and duties of the job

Nice To Haves

Bilingual abilities a plus.
Prefer applicants have an associate's degree in social services or a related field.
Infant mental health endorsement preferred.

Responsibilities

Establishes a trusting relationship with at-risk families by initiating and maintaining regular participant contact with them in their home.
Works with individuals and groups.
Establishes a family support plan with goals, objectives, and activities in collaboration with parents and supervisor.
Responsible for completing various paperwork related to family contact and program evaluation.
Meets with supervisor on a weekly basis to evaluate participant status.
Assists parents in making and attending appointments for doctors, social service agencies, etc.
Acts as a liaison between families and other community agencies and will provide/arrange transportation for the participant as appropriate.
Attends regular staff meetings, case staffing, in-services training and other meetings as required.
Documents home visit observations and activities in a consistent and timely manner.
Demonstrates an ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Consistently follows County, Healthy Families Polk and Healthy Families Florida policies and procedures.
Acts as a mentor to new employees in a Family Support Worker I position.
Conducts peer reviews on a regular basis to assist with the quality improvement of the program.
Performs related duties as required.