Family Support Worker

Winnebago Tribe•Winnebago, NE

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Family Support Worker provides family support services and training for clients and resource families in a protective service unit. Under the direct supervision of the Child & Family Services Case Leads, the worker supports children, adults, and families involved in protective services, including clients involved in abuse and neglect cases. The role helps clients access training and develop skills and resources, and coordinates Family Team Meetings. The position is based in the Human Services Department in Winnebago, Nebraska, and includes evening and weekend hours as well as overnight travel for training or transporting clients. The worker collaborates with case workers and Child & Family Services staff, helps develop case plans and conduct family and community assessments, connects clients with community resources, and documents services in required forms and the child welfare database. The position also develops and facilitates training and support groups, represents Child & Family Services in relevant work groups, and contributes to tribally specific, culturally appropriate family support strategies and programming. The role requires completion of assigned training and certifications, including State of Nebraska New Worker Training and training to facilitate Family Team Meetings. The employee must maintain strict confidentiality, pass a federal background check and pre-employment drug testing, and meet applicable criminal-record declaration requirements. The work involves normal to light office duties, occasional lifting of up to 10 pounds, and regular walking, standing, sitting, and use of office equipment.

Requirements

An associate’s degree or four years of experience in child or youth care, teaching, foster care, delinquency prevention, juvenile court systems, community work involving children and youth, mental health systems, nursing, or another area involving contact or interaction with youth or families.
Ability to complete required certifications within one year and willingness and ability to enter into an educational plan.
Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills; public speaking skills; and professional verbal and written communication skills in English.
Ability to work effectively with minimal direct supervision and as part of a team, with a customer-service focus.
Timeliness, dependability, courtesy, and a business-like appearance.
Ability to build rapport with peers and clients, remain non-judgmental, value and accept differences, and observe, assess, and address behavior.
Keyboarding skills for data entry and computer proficiency, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and sign a confidentiality agreement.
Knowledge of child development, basic nutrition, housekeeping practices, household budgeting, parenting skills, and social, work, and family systems.
Valid driver’s license, valid insurance, and insurability under the Tribe’s insurance policy.
Good moral character; ability to pass a federal background check and pre-employment drug testing.
Compliance with 45 CFR 1301, Subpart D, Section 1301.31(C) and (D), including signing a pre-employment declaration regarding arrests and convictions for child abuse or violent felonies, and compliance with PL 101-630 and PL 101-637 criminal-record checks.
Ability to lift up to 10 pounds and regularly walk, stand, sit for extended periods, and use a computer keyboard, phone, and office equipment.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with Native Americans.
Background facilitating evidence-based curricula.
Knowledge of federal, state, and tribal laws concerning abuse and neglect, confidentiality laws and regulations, and the Indian Child Welfare Act; willingness to learn.
Knowledge of agency philosophy, behavioral prevention and intervention techniques, community resources, and systems related to youth and families; willingness to learn.
Knowledge of Winnebago culture and traditions; willingness to learn.
Certification, or ability to complete the certification process, for culturally appropriate evidence-based curricula, including parenting.

Responsibilities

Demonstrate the Winnebago Tribe’s core mission, vision, and values.
Complete required forms and paperwork and enter information into the child welfare database.
Confer with case workers and Child & Family Services staff to identify family needs and participate as part of the team serving youth and families.
Assist case workers with developing case plans and conducting family and community assessments.
Maintain a community resource list, provide departmental updates as needed, make client referrals, and arrange supportive services.
Schedule appointments, prepare documents, and document activities related to service provision.
Develop and facilitate training sessions and support groups on topics determined by the supervisor.
Build supportive relationships with clients and provide needed support services to children and families.
Represent Child & Family Services on child welfare and family services task forces and work groups, which may include local, state, or federal groups.
Attend assigned teleconferences, conferences, training sessions, and meetings.
Contact the public and provide information to community representatives and agencies when assigned.
Participate in developing tribally specific family support strategies and implement new, innovative, and culturally appropriate programming as developed.
Attend meetings and training courses as directed by the Child & Family Case Leads, and complete other related duties as assigned.
Participate in creating a professional development plan and complete identified developmental activities, training, and certifications, as well as an educational plan if needed.
Complete required State of Nebraska New Worker Training and training to facilitate Family Team Meetings, including knowledge of NFOCUS documentation.
Maintain strict confidentiality and sign a confidentiality agreement.