Family Resource Specialist

Job Summary:

The Family Resource Specialist I will provide prenatal and parenting education and support for parents and their children (birth - 5 years) through one on one visits in the home, frequency based on assigned level.

Submissions through job boards are not monitored for hiring; apply directly at [www.nchs.org/careers] to be considered.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide one on one visits in the home, frequency based on assigned level, using the curriculum to educate and support parents regarding prenatal education (healthy pregnancy, child birth), breastfeeding, parent/child interactions, child development, safety, sexual health/family planning and parent/child health.
• Engage in tasks necessary to the provision of direct service, including but not limited to:
• utilizing the curriculum to plan individual lessons for each family
• paperwork and digital record keeping including, documentation, assessments, monthly service plans/progress reports, transition plans, and discharge summaries completed in accordance with agency policy/procedure
• driving to and from home-based appointments and occasional client transport
• utilizing technology to conduct home visits via Zoom, Facetime, or phone as necessary and appropriate
• attending community meetings on behalf of families or the agency
• researching and knowing community resources to refer families
• responding to participant emergencies in person within appropriate time frames as outlined in NCHS HFA Policies and Procedures
• Collaborate with other agencies, service providers, and informal supports including case managers, therapists, and relatives to advocate on behalf of families.
• Responding to family referrals to conduct parent surveys as assigned within appropriate time frames as outlined in NCHS HFA Policies and Procedures.
• Initiating contact with families when assigned as Family Resource Specialist within appropriate time as outlined in NCHS HFA Policies and Procedures.
• Participate in family engagement efforts to get and keep families actively involved in the program.
• Participate in supervision sessions once a week for at least 1 ½ hours.
• Attend and participate in various HFA team, Children and Family Center building, and agency employee meetings.
• Collect statistics and implement CQI procedures as defined by program assignment

Supplemental

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Complete training necessary to perform position and necessary for professional growth such as but not limited to HFA Foundations, HFA Parent Survey, Growing Great Kids curriculum Prenatal-36 month, GGK Preschool, Mothers and Babies, Child Abuse and Neglect, and Cultural Humility.
• Facilitate a team atmosphere by working in partnership with other agency staff and promote a positive working environment.
• Represent the agency and programs in a positive manner to clients, community organizations and the public in general.
• Show flexibility with work schedule (to be determined by supervisor); some evening or weekend work will be required.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Minimum education and experience:
• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Associates Degree or 3-5 years related work experience required.
• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related field preferred.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Strong direct service professional skills.
• Commitment to empowering others to solve their own problems.
• Belief in a nurturing family as the ideal environment for a person and that people have the capacity to grow and change.
• Ability to develop respectful relationship with persons served to help them gain skills and confidence.
• Ability to work collaboratively with coworkers and other professionals,
• Ability to maintain a helping role, intervene appropriately to meet service goals, and set appropriate limits.
• Experience working with families with trauma history.
• Required knowledge and skills in the breadth of child welfare issues and services and the functioning and processes of advocating for families and children within the system.
• The needs of neglected, abused and exploited children and adults,
• Family functioning and experience in or familiarity with child development.
• Skill in working with families who may not engage in services easily.
• Ability to analyze and make recommendation regarding individual cases and individual staff issues, and (frequently simultaneously) to analyze and apply larger, systemic issues.
• Ability to make independent decisions and act accordingly, or with minimal support from supervisor. Ability to work autonomously and make appropriate decisions in crisis situations.
• Strong verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills;
• Transportation and insurance that meets agency requirements;
• Successfully complete a defensive driving course sanctioned by the National Safety Council.
• Have no more than three points assessed against his/her Nebraska driver’s license, or meet a comparable standard in the state in which she/he is licensed to drive.
• Ability to interact with clients with sensitivity and responsiveness to…