Family Support Worker

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Requisition No: 870071

Agency:
Department of Health

Working Title:

FAMILY SUPPORT WORKER -

Job posting category “Anticipated Vacancy” (Open Competitive)

This is a highly responsible paraprofessional position working to strengthen families and help parents to be the best parents they can be. Families are identified by assessment to be in need of services. Families volunteer for these services. This position is supervised by the Social Services Counselor SES, is designated as a sensitive position per the CHD protocols, and is responsible for the integrity and confidentiality of data sets under his/her control.

Frequent travel is required.

• Responsible for initiating and maintaining regular, consistent long-term support to families identified in need based upon the families' results on the Healthy Families Florida Assessment Tool and the families' voluntary participation in the Healthy Families program.
• Contact with families occurs primarily in the home of the families, sometimes in high risk areas, and is: family centered, strength-based, and directed at establishing a trusting relationship.
• Assist in strengthening the parent-child relationship, increasing successful problem-solving and advocacy roles for parents, improving skills to optimize the home environment, providing information on child development, discipline, medical needs of the children, and ensuring families are aware of and referred to needed services.
• Discuss and distribute family planning (birth control) information to clients, including teenagers and unmarried persons.
• Assists with parent groups, including set-up, onsite childcare, and clean‑up.
• Models age-appropriate play and activities in homes, including floor play and tummy time.
• Works with DOH staff on strategic planning and quality improvement projects related to the Healthy Families program.
• Administers the Healthy Families Florida Assessment Tool (HFFAT) within the time specified by the Healthy Families program policy and contract, assists families in establishing goals and monitoring progress.
• Administers tools and screenings (e.g., ASQ‑3, ASQ‑SE‑2, EPDS, HFPI) at intervals outlined in the program policy and contract and provides ongoing assessment of the home for safety required by the contract.
• Performs other related duties as directed by the Supervisor, Senior Human Services Program Specialist, and the CHD Director.

• Knowledge of community resources.
• Ability to relate to families from a strength-based model, even in a chaotic environment.
• Ability to establish personal and programmatic boundaries.
• Ability to be culturally sensitive and appropriate.
• Strong interpersonal skills; demonstrates motivation.
• Belief in and comfort with advocating for nurturing, non-violent discipline of children.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to transport clients in personal vehicle when a county vehicle is not available (mileage reimbursed at State of Florida reimbursement rate).
• Must successfully complete all Healthy Families Staff Orientation Trainings, Core Trainings, HFFAT certification training, Three-, Six-, and Twelve-Month Trainings, annual trainings, and specialized trainings per Healthy Families Florida policies, many of which are located offsite and some that require overnight stays up to one week each.
• Infant mental health endorsement preferred.

• Experience working with or providing services to children or families.
• Ability to establish trusting relationships.
• Acceptance of individual differences.
• Experience and humility to work with culturally diverse families.
• Knowledge of infant and child development.
• Willingness to engage in building reflective capacity (e.g., capacity for introspection, awareness of self in relation to others, recognition of the value of supervision).
• Infant mental health endorsement preferred.

• Valid Class E Florida Driver's License required.
• At a minimum, a high school diploma or equivalent (required by Healthy Families Florida – grant…