Parenting Education Specialist

FAMILY & CHILDREN SERVICES, INC.•Kalamazoo, MI

18h•Hybrid

About The Position

Provides direct in-home services to families referred by Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) workers where abuse or neglect has been investigated or investigated and substantiated, allowing families to receive increased supportive services to prevent out-of-home placement or to return home children who are in out-of-home placement. Services may include teaching through psychoeducation, coaching, modeling, and reinforcement of home and life management skills, health and nutrition, safe sleep practices, and appropriate parenting that meets the specific needs of the children in their home as well as the direct provision of concrete services and linking to community resources. This position requires a flexible work schedule, which may include weekends, evenings, and/or holidays.

Requirements

Must have excellent clinical and engagement skills
Strong communication skills and ability to understand, motivate and/or influence people and an awareness of the importance of cultural difference within service population.
Must present a professional appearance and a friendly manner
Must be dependable and punctual
Be courteous and personable when dealing with the public
Be self-directed, willing to take initiative, organized and detail-oriented
Respect and maintain confidentiality of those served by Family & Children Services
Proficiency in Microsoft Office including Word and Excel
Must be able to transport clients in employee-provided vehicle.
Must be able to visually assess the safety of the environment and the physical well-being of children in the home.
Bachelor’s degree in a Social Work or related Human Services field from an accredited institution OR an Associate's Degree (or 72 hours) working towards a Bachelor's.
Required experience of at least 1 year working with children/youth/families.
Experience working with diverse economic and cultural populations.
Ability to read and interpret documents, such as procedure manuals, and to write routine reports and correspondence is required.
Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one situations to staff, service recipients, court, and others as required.
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
Valid Michigan driver's license, valid auto insurance, and driving record which complies with agency policy.
Must have available a personal auto for required travel.

Nice To Haves

Education, training, and/or knowledge of the impact of trauma on individuals, children, and families, is desired.
Trained or willingness to be trained in First Aid, CPR, and AED

Responsibilities

Provides home or community-based education and support for families through an evidence-based modality or practice consistent with the modality as required by contract.
Accepts and manages referrals from DHHS to maintain yearly number of units.
Completes assessments utilizing evidenced based inventories as required.
Prepares written reports according to prescribed format and timelines to maintain contract compliance and/or model fidelity.
Completes all case documentation in accordance with established timelines and are available upon request.
Communicates with the referring worker regularly through face-to-face contact, telephone contact, written reports and attendance at Family Team Meetings as requested and/or required.
Collaborates with the legal system and provides Court testimony if needed.
Works flexible schedule with non-traditional hours (evenings, weekends, holidays) to accommodate family schedule.
Transports clients as needed.
Attends Agency mandated trainings and other program trainings as required.
Attends required unit meetings and activities.
Collaborates with community organizations to access goods and services for clients.
This position will be knowledgeable about and actively support 1) culturally competent, recovery-based practices; 2) person-centered planning as a shared decision-making process with the individual, who defines his/her own life goals and is assisted in developing a unique path toward those goals; and 3) a trauma informed culture to aid individuals in their recovery process.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
A commitment to value diversity in all forms, and to respect, celebrate and promote diversity in our workplace and in the community, including a personal commitment to increase one’s own cultural competencies.
Ability to understand, demonstrate and apply the Agency’s workplace values: Respect; Integrity; Service; and Empowerment.
Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen, background check, reference verification, and required child welfare clearances