Young Parent Support Specialist

YWCA of Western Massachusetts•Springfield, MA

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The YWCA of Western MA is dedicated to eliminating racism and empowering survivors. The YW provides a safe place for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Our programs and services include crisis shelter and transitional housing for survivors and their families, counseling, SAFEPLAN court advocacy, community education, supervised visitation, and vocational training for youth. The YWCA provides services at several sites, including Holyoke, Northampton, Westfield, our primary Springfield campus and surrounding areas. Expectations of all employees In the performance of essential and general job responsibilities, all YWCA employees are expected to: Demonstrate commitment to the YWCA’s mission and principles of trauma-informed work. Represent the YWCA in a professional and competent manner to participants, community members, organizational partners, and other stakeholders. Reflect on and interrupt assumptions, personal and systemic biases, and sources of power when interacting or communicating with colleagues, clients, and external partners. Support policies, practices, and decisions that demonstrate our shared accountability for racial equity. Foster a positive working environment. Coordinate efforts across teams, programs, and partner organizations. Maintain professional behavior and strict confidentiality. Position Purpose The Young Parent Support Specialist provides home visiting and case management services to pregnant and/or parenting young families (through age 23), in Springfield, Chicopee, and Holyoke, to support them achieve goals in areas such as parenting skills, child development, educational or career goals, health, social connections and meeting basic needs. The Young Parent Support Counselor will also conduct community outreach to collaborate with other organizations and generate referrals to the program, and provide group and/or individual services in area high schools and other community-based Settings.

Requirements

Associates Degree or two years preferably in early childhood development or related fields such as social work, human services or community health, or equivalent professional experience;
Bi-lingual (Spanish/English) skill required;
Experience with survivors of gender-based violence and exploitation;
Experience addressing the impacts of decisions and actions on multiple communities;
Understanding of both interpersonal and structural racism and bias;
Ability to represent agency from a management perspective in an active union environment;
Experience with and knowledge of accessing resources within the community;
Excellent written and organizational skills including computer skills;
Must have knowledge of/contacts with community agencies;
Must be able to be covered by the agency's insurance policy;
Must be able to lift 40 lbs.

Responsibilities

Provide outreach, case management and home visiting to young parents (mothers and fathers) to assist them in parenting, relationship skills, and life management.
Maintain a caseload of 15-20 participants.
Conduct initial and periodic assessments of each family to determine the appropriate level of services.
Complete and collect documentation and data required by funder, including but not limited to developmental screening, literacy screening, and mental health/substance abuse screening.
Maintain accurate and timely (within 2 business days of service) documentation for each family served, including paper and electronic records.
Conduct group and individual services in area high schools and other community-based settings, when appropriate.
Conduct community outreach to collaborate with other organizations and generate referrals to the program.
Meet deadlines for case management, billing and reporting.
Attend required supervision, staff meetings and trainings.
Perform other duties as necessary.