Family Support Worker
About The Position
The Family Support Worker (FSW) develops trusting partnerships with families and supports them in using their strengths to build self-sufficiency, improve quality of life, and strengthen parenting interactions that help children become ready for school and life. The FSW assists families in identifying and reaching their own goals, collaborating with families, Center and Area Teams, and community partners. The FSW also supports families in developing leadership and advocacy skills and documents family development services to provide a clear picture of families’ needs, strengths, and growth. Within the Center and Area Teams, the FSW serves as a mentor and guide in the ongoing implementation of family development practices. The role includes working as part of the family service team, completing regular home visits, coordinating referrals, collaborating with teachers and community partners, participating in professional development, and adhering to RCMA funding and DCF requirements. After hire, the employee must complete required DCF child care training (45 hours), training in family empowerment skills, and ongoing implementation of those skills. Within eighteen months of hire, the employee must obtain at least a Family Development Credential (FDC) or certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling, or a related field. Candidates selected for employment must successfully complete a Level 2 fingerprint-based background screening.
Requirements
- Meet age, medical, moral character, and other requirements defined by Florida Statutes.
- Complete mandatory DCF child care training of 45 hours after hire, as specified in the DCF Training Addendum and in accordance with Florida Statutes and funding source requirements.
- Complete training in family empowerment skills after hire and implement those skills on an ongoing basis.
- Within eighteen months of hire, obtain at least a Family Development Credential (FDC) or certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling, or a related field.
- Successfully complete a Level 2 fingerprint-based background screening if selected for employment.
- Be able to perform essential duties satisfactorily while exercising independent judgment and discretion.
Responsibilities
- Participate in assessing family eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance to support an appropriate fit between family needs and interests and program services.
- Conduct regular home visits to build families’ understanding of attachment and child development, self- and family advocacy, developmental transitions, and parents’ role as a child’s first teacher.
- Support each family in developing a Family Partnership Agreement and using goal development as a life skill.
- Make referrals and consistently follow up on services related to Family Partnership Agreement goals, Strengths/Needs Assessment items, children with special needs, family health, employment and education, self-sufficiency, and family well-being.
- Maintain current knowledge of community resources, share information with families and the Area Team, and strengthen community collaborations through interagency meetings, community events, and meetings with community partners.
- Meet regularly with the Core Team and teachers to discuss family development needs and progress and share information about how the home environment affects the child and family.
- Participate in continuous professional development.
- Adhere to RCMA funding and DCF requirements.
- Document family development services and families’ needs, strengths, and growth.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Education Level
No Education Listed
