Family Support Worker

Job Description
Our Mission:

The Village was one of the first agencies in the country to provide homes for neglected children. Today, we continue to achieve our mission "to build a community of strong, healthy families who protect and nurture children" by providing a full range of behavioral health, early childhood and youth development, substance use treatment and support services for children, adults and families in the Greater Hartford, Connecticut region.

Named a Connecticut Top Workplace for six consecutive years with national distinction for workplace culture and diversity, equity and inclusion practices, you can be sure you're joining an organization that's just as committed to your success as we are to those we serve.

Starting Annual Salary: $50,000

The Family Support Worker supports the Early Childhood Learning Center by promoting family engagement and involvement, coordinates enrollment of children, and supports families' access to services from community resources. This position will routinely engage with families and establish a working relationship to reinforce social emotional concepts taught in the classroom.

JOB SUMMARY

The Family Support Worker works directly with the families, and visits them weekly to provide information, and use highly regarded curriculum to improve parenting skills and teach families about child development. The Family Support Workers also help families' access services from community resources. The Family Support Worker is knowledgeable about both community services and the experiences the family faces.


KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Develops strength-based service plans to address areas identified as challenges.
2. Maintains a collaborative relationship with the primary care provider and community services.
3. Maintains accurate record of all client contact and maintains confidentiality of clients' records at all times.
4. Demonstrates ability to be creative, innovative, and resourceful.
5. Models Parent-Child interactions with the families.
6. Provides home visits to assigned families where children have been identified through program screening criteria as being "at risk" for abuse and/or neglect.
7. Provides home visits to assigned families where children have been identified as needing services including but limited to parenting and child development education, advocacy and support, and assistance with accessing community resources.
8. Completes program assessments.
9. Completes Electronic Document per agency standards and funding requirements.
10. Makes home visits based on the need of the family.
11. Provides family with information that includes but is not limited to the child development, safety, immunizations and community resources.
12. Utilizes program-approved curriculum to improve parenting skills and increase the understanding of normal child development.
13. Develops strength-based service plans to address areas identified as challenges.
14. Assists client in seeking additional services from the community resources as needed.
15. Co-facilitates groups with team members.
16. Attends monthly staff meetings.
17. Accepts and performs all new assignments as determined by supervisor.
18. Immediately notifies supervisor of any situation in which a child may be at risk (i.e. physical abuse, sexual abuse, chronic neglect, un-safe home, etc.) and/or other sentinel event.
19. Completes all required program and agency web and paper based documentation.
20. Testifies in court as needed.
21. Makes referral to appropriate community resources.
22. Promotes the agency's services, programs, image and philosophy.

Experience and Skills
EDUCATION

• Minimum of a High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Associate degree in early childhood, childhood development, human services or other related field preferred.

EXPERIENCE

• Must have current valid state issued Driver License. Must have own vehicle.
• Must have automotive liability insurance per agency standards. Driving to and from home visiting is required.
• Must be a team player and able to work in a variety of environments including schools, court, etc.
• Excellent oral and written skills and ability to engage families from diverse social and ethnic backgrounds.
• Organized and able to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Flexible and able to multi-task.
• Experience working in an urban community and families' homes.
• Demonstrate ability to be creative, innovative and resourceful.
• Must be culturally competent; bi-lingual (English/Spanish) strongly preferred.
• Proficient with word processing and spreadsheet applications. Possess solid general computer skills, including ability to work in a Windows XP environment. Familiarity with specific applications used by the Village a plus.
• May require weekend or evening hours.
• Physically able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodations.

Job Benefits
Our benefits package supports your whole life with comprehensive health coverage, generous paid time off, and employer matched retirement savings. We also invest in your growth through tuition assistance (Loan Forgiveness Program - NHSC, tuition reimbursement and Student Loan Repayment).