FAMILY SERVICE ASSOCIATE

Family Service Associate

We are currently conducting a search for a Family Service Associate. We have vacancies for this position at the following locations:

• CYC Dorothy Gautreaux Center at 975 E. 132nd St, Chicago, IL

We are seeking individuals to provide casework services, counseling, and referral resources to families of children enrolled in the child development program to help families set goals and create Individualized Education Plans. Plan and conduct family engagement activities for parents enrolled. Conduct follow-up regarding excessive and sporadic attendance. Complete family partnerships. Work closely with nutritionist and nurse consultant to ensure individual needs are being addressed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Promote and recruit eligible children for the Early Childhood Program
• Prepare printed material and perform door-to-door canvassing activities under the supervision of the Childcare Director
• Interview parents to determine the eligibility for the program
• Assist parents with procuring required dental and medical records for children enrolled in the program and analyze medical records to determine special needs and requirements for each child
• Follow-up with the parent to ensure that medical and dental work required for children is provided
• Provide casework services for parents; evaluate needs; counsel and arrange for required referral services
• Coordinate disability services for children with special needs
• Record and maintain case records, including documentation of home visits, parent conferences, and daily attendance
• Counsel parents on children's social-emotional and health care needs and make home visits to provide social welfare services for parents as indicted through problems and recommended action plans
• Develop and publish a community resource list, community needs assessment and shares new resources with parents when available
• Develop and submit social service, disability, and parent involvement reports as scheduled
• Plan and conduct monthly social service meetings sharing information and resolving problems
• Input all enrolled children's data into the COPA program
• Coordinate of the scheduling and implementing of the Individual Educational Plan recommendations
• Facilitate the development and activities of the Social Service/Health Parent subcommittee
• Secure speakers and arrange for on-site presentations for both parents and staff
• Conduct classroom observations to determine children's special needs
• Attends multi-disciplinary case staffing at public schools to help program for special education services for children with special needs
• Make classroom observation and counsel parents to prevent/report child abuse and neglect
• Assist parents in the completion of Family Partnership agreement and goal setting
• Develop/establish strong networking relationships with the government and a vast variety of social service agencies.
• Review Management Plans with parents to recommend changes as it relates to the early childhood program
• Plan/Coordinate Health/Social service activities for parents.
• Assist Child Care Director coordinate and implement the Parent Involvement and Program Governance
• Other duties as assigned to fulfill the mission of the program and agency needs.

Willing to embrace and demonstrate CYC's Mantras:

• ATTITUDE MATTERS - Positivity begins with me. My attitude has the power to influence my environment and inspire those around me. I aim to be enthusiastic, optimistic, and kind—even when things get hard.
• CARE FOR REAL - I will take every opportunity to show that I truly care. I commit to serving children and families, my co-workers, and my community. I will think, care and act in a respectful manner to uplift and support others.
• OWN IT - I will never say, "That's not my job." When I see something that needs to be done, I will assign myself and do it. I will make a commitment to carry out my job responsibilities and assignments with consistency, dependability, and respect.
• PUSH FORWARD - I will be determined and progressive in thought and action. I will press on when problems arise and find innovative ways to solve issues. I will continuously learn and be open to the ideas of others.

Requirements:

• Bachelors' Degree preferred; Associates Degree required in Social Work, Human Services or related field
• 1-2 years of related experience in social work, case management, family and community work required.
• Must have solid knowledge base related to providing services to low income families and how to locate and access appropriate services for families
• Must be willing to conduct home visits
• Strong communication skills (verbal and written)
• Computer skills (Microsoft Office Suite Word, Excel and Outlook)
• Ability to work with a diverse group of people
• Must speak the primary language of children / families served
• Candidate must have reliable personal transportation and minimum vehicle insurance coverage; must be able to pass DMV background check and provide pre-employment medical screening for TB, MMR & T-dap.
• Bilingual is a plus