FAMILY SUPPORT SPECIALIST

HHC•Indianapolis, IN

About The Position

This position is responsible for working with and supporting families identified as being at risk. Perform intensive home visitation services that focus on promoting positive parent/child interaction, bonding and attachment, and healthy child development. Educate parents on child development. Design and implement activities with parents to promote healthy childhood growth and development. Systematically assess the ongoing needs of families and refer to appropriate community resources. Document all interactions with families in a centralized database.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, sociology, child development, family studies or related field preferred; high school diploma or equivalent required
1+ years of previous work with families and children (0-3 years of age) preferred; at least some previous work with families and children required
Must have valid Indiana Driver’s License, access to reliable vehicle, current automobile insurance
Must have experience with and/or willingness to work with the culturally diverse populations present among the program’s target population
Must have knowledge of infant and child development
Must be proficient with technology

Responsibilities

Complete outreach activities (phone calls, drop-by visits, etc.) as directed by program policy and/or supervisor to engage families in the home visiting process
Travel to various families’ homes, as well as other community locations, to complete home visits
Plan home visit activities, including implementing strategies to support Family Service Plans, developing and supporting Family Goal Plans, utilizing curricula to provide parent education, and completing required tools
Complete screenings and evaluations, including Family Goal Plans, developmental screenings, depression screenings, and other required tools, according to program policy
Provide appropriate number of home visits to families at various service levels (75% or more of all visits required must be completed)
Provide necessary referrals to families and follow-up on progress
Check health insurance status and make referrals to assist families in obtaining access to medical care
Be flexible in scheduling, as needed between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday
Track and document all outreach activities, send letters to families, complete mileage forms
Document family interactions in the statewide database within designated time frames per program policy
Complete filing in a timely manner
Track well-child visits and record immunizations for focus child
Maintain families’ confidentiality
Report accurate and reliable family and job related information to supervisor
Assist appropriately in crisis situations, i.e., locating housing, shelters, food, clothing, etc
Work independently to provide quality customer service and maintain integrity in all client interactions
File child abuse and neglect (CAN) reports when required
Utilize interpreters to provide services to non-English speaking families
Demonstrate ability to be non-judgmental and accepting of individual differences
Follow program’s values (HIPEER) in all interactions with families and colleagues
Attend all assigned staff meetings, group activities, and Healthy Families training
Participate in public health emergency preparedness exercises and in response to public health emergencies, as directed
Participate in a minimum of two H.O.P.E. health fair events totaling a minimum of eight (8) hours annually. These events may occur on weekends
Protect and maintain confidentiality of each family’s and employee's medical and personal information which may be obtained in the course of provision of care or employment
Job duties may require individual to remove confidential information from work place setting to another site in order to provide service. If the information is removed, it must be protected and secured as if the employee were at the office
Other duties as assigned