Family Engagement Specialist - Part-Time Role

Job Description

Job Description

FamilyCore understands that strong families are at the heart of any vibrant, tight-knit community. Through the mission of "instilling hope by creating the right balance of resources and care to foster and equip healthy productive children and families," our 90 dedicated employees are committed to the investment of strengthening families with the tools and ties to succeed.

Our team works with schools, the court system and other social service agencies to connect counseling, intervention, preventative education, and other support services for families in need. FamilyCore, a private, non-profit, nationally accredited social service agency with over 120 years of service, takes a holistic approach in its continuum of care, often providing boosts of support to multiple generations. The end goal is to maintain the integrity of the family.

Be a part of this goal by joining the FamilyCore Team!

Benefits for Part-Time Employees:

• 11 Paid Holidays, including a Floating Holiday
• Additional Paid Leave for All Workers Act Leave (For Full-time and Part-time Employees)
• Culture supporting Work/Life Balance
• 401k Plan (3% Employer Contribution After Vested - PT Hours must meet eligibility requirements )

About this Role:

Provide case management services for at-risk youth (10-18) and their families with community services (counseling, education, job help, mental health) to prevent juvenile incarceration, working within a county-based system that offers wraparound care, legal advocacy, and life skills training to keep kids in their communities. These roles focus on building family partnerships, facilitating services, and ensuring positive outcomes for youth who might otherwise face commitment to the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ).

Responsibilities:

• Provide direct counseling, intake, and case management services to youth and families, including the development, coordination, and implementation of individual and group skills training and Social and Emotional Learning services.
• Conduct Juvenile Risk Assessments and utilize de-escalation techniques to ensure client and community safety while adhering to established safety protocols and policies.
• Develop, monitor, and support individualized goals for youth and families, including conducting home visits and off-site services to promote positive familial relationships and client engagement.
• Establish and maintain effective, collaborative working relationships with youth, families, parents, teachers, therapists, community providers, and other internal and external stakeholders, including regular communication via phone, email, and in-person contact.
• Identify, locate, and refer youth and families to appropriate community resources to address identified needs and enhance service outcomes.
• Provide safe transportation for students and parents in accordance with agency policies and safety standards.
• Prepare and complete required court documentation, provide updates to the court, and attend court proceedings, as necessary.
• Participate in local and statewide meetings and maintain ongoing professional development, including cultural competency.
• Collect, track, enter, and report client data, case management outputs, and outcomes in accordance with contract requirements while organizing and maintaining accurate, confidential records.
• Completing court reports, providing the court with updates, and attending court, as necessary.
• Ensure all documentation, data collection, and procedures comply with accreditation, licensing, contractual obligations, and agency policies, including Council on Accreditation standards.
• Maintain confidentiality in accordance with agency standards, HIPAA, state regulations, and the NASW Code of Ethics.
• Adhere to all contract requirements and perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university preferred or equivalent life experience.
• 1-3 years' experience required.

Competency:

• Basic proficiency in MS Word and Excel required. PowerPoint is preferred.
• Ability to facilitate and manage groups of students.
• Basic knowledge of five core Social and Emotional Learning Competencies and working knowledge of Social and Emotional Learning Curriculum.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Must have CPR and First Aid certification, or ability to attain.
• Must complete child passenger safety training.
• Strong interpersonal, problem-solving, and teamwork skills.
• Working knowledge of community resources.
• Ability to set and maintain professional boundaries with clients.
• Ability to organize and maintain data and confidential information.
• Ability to establish and maintain a client focus.
• Must possess a valid Illinois Driver's License in good standing and proof of valid vehicle insurance.
• Ability to operate 7 and 15-passenger vans.
• Safe, reliable personal vehicle, to be used for FamilyCore business, including transporting clients.
• Must pass a background check with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).
• Must pass background checks with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Health Care Worker Registry, and Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services OIG Provider Sanctions.
• Ability to be sensitive and understanding of cultural and lifestyle differences of all people, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, age, or background.
• Successfully complete FamilyCore training as required.
• Utilize time tracking software and all other software required to fulfill duties.

Physical:

• Frequent walking, standing, grasping, fingering, reaching, lifting, pulling, and pushing up to 10 lbs.
• Operate general office equipment, including multi-line phone, fax machine, printer, copier, 2-way radio, and personal computer, with or without dual screens.
• Regular sitting and reaching overhead.
• Occasional stooping and other physical activities related to an office environment.
• Perform all job requirements with or without reasonable accommodation.

Work Environment:

• Work occurs in and out of an office environment. Frequently exposed to outdoor weather conditions and loud noise.
• May be subject to distraction and interruptions. May be subject to difficult client interactions that involve behavioral and/or emotional challenges.

FamilyCore is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

*Clarification for 'Other duties as assigned': This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Note: Applicable law does not allow FamilyCore to hire/employ persons that have been declared a sexually dangerous person or that have been convicted of certain crimes. (See, e.g. 89 Ill. Adm. Code 385.10 et seq. for further detail).