HANDS Specialist I
About The Position
The HANDS Specialist I works in the Health Access Nurturing Development Services (HANDS) program. The role reviews prenatal or birth clinic records and conducts Parent Visit Assessments/Surveys with parents, prenatally or immediately after a birth, to determine families’ appropriate level of community support. Families facing challenges may be offered visits from a Family Support Worker. Families who opt out of participation are referred to community resources based on their needs. The specialist conducts assessments within 30 days of receiving and reviewing prenatal or birth records to determine eligibility for early childhood education and family support services for children from birth through age three. Interviews and outreach take place in family homes or community settings, with the aim of educating parents about coping techniques and helping them access resources and referrals related to their child’s education and nutrition. The role may also include developing informational materials, maintaining service records and reports, assisting departmental staff with program guidance, reviewing records for regulatory compliance, and conducting ongoing home visits as needed. The job requires travel to family homes or community settings when duties are not performed in the agency office. Applicants and employees must complete a drug screening and background check under agency policy. The position has an initial and promotional probationary period of six months, except as provided by KRS 18A.111.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Nursing, or Early Childhood Education.
- A bachelor’s degree in a related Social or Behavioral Science field may be considered with one year of experience performing case management services.
- A master’s degree in Human Services may substitute for the one year of experience.
- An associate degree in Nursing with licensure in Kentucky or a compact state and two years of public health experience may substitute for the education requirement.
- Applicants and employees must submit to drug screening and a background check according to agency policy.
- Ability to travel to family homes or community settings when not working in the agency office.
Responsibilities
- Review prenatal or birth records from hospitals or clinics.
- Conduct Parent Visit Assessments/Surveys within 30 days of receiving records to determine eligibility for early childhood education and family support services for infants and toddlers from birth through age three.
- Interview parents and conduct outreach in family homes or community settings to educate them about coping techniques and support their access to resources and referrals for their child’s education and nutrition.
- Offer Family Support Worker visits to families facing challenges and refer families who opt out to appropriate community resources.
- Develop and distribute informational materials that meet program guidelines, as needed.
- Maintain accurate logs of service visits, schedules, and charting; prepare reports and analyses required by HANDS program policies and guidelines.
- Interpret laws, regulations, policies, and procedures and provide administrative assistance or guidance to departmental staff.
- Monitor, evaluate, and participate in modifications to program requirements, as applicable.
- Review records and reports submitted by program requestors or agency staff and ensure compliance with federal and state laws, regulations, and policies.
- Conduct ongoing home visits as needed.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
