Bilingual Family Support Advocate

Richland County First Steps; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and Dental Benefits

Paid Time Off

Collaborative Office Environment

Job summary

Richland County First Steps seeks a dedicated bilingual (Spanish/English) Family Support Advocate to provide home-based services to pregnant women and families with young children in Richland County, SC. The role uses Parents as Teachers curriculum for weekly or biweekly visits, focusing on family well-being and parent-child relationships.

Proficiency in both Spanish and English is essential to serve our diverse community.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in ECE, Social Work, Psychology, or related field is required.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred for advancement.
• Bilingual in Spanish and English is required.
• Experience with diverse families and crisis intervention is preferred.
• CPR and First Aid certification, and Parents as Teachers certification (current or obtainable).

Responsibilities

• Conduct weekly or biweekly home visits using the Parents as Teachers curriculum.
• Provide child development and parent education, case management, and family support.
• Connect families to community resources and document referrals.
• Maintain timely documentation including visit logs and assessments.
• Prepare family needs reviews before each home visit and support group events.
• Input and manage data for all enrolled families in relevant databases.
• Complete family and child assessments within required timeframes.

Skills

Bilingual Spanish-English

Cultural Competency

Documentation Skills

Education

Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Social Work, Psychology, or related field

Bachelor’s Degree preferred

Job description

Position: Bilingual Family Support Advocate

Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm (occasional evenings and weekends)

Perks

• Medical and Dental Benefits
• Paid Time Off
• Collaborative Office Environment

Position Overview

Richland County First Steps is seeking a dedicated and bilingual (Spanish/English) Family Support Advocate to provide home-based services to pregnant women and families with young children. Using the Parents as Teachers curriculum, you will conduct weekly or biweekly visits, offering comprehensive support aimed at enhancing family well-being, strengthening parent-child relationships, and empowering families as advocates and leaders. Proficiency in both Spanish and English is essential to effectively serve and communicate with our diverse community.

Key Responsibilities

• Home Visits: Conduct weekly or biweekly home visits based on family needs, following the Parents as Teachers curriculum.
• Support Services: Provide child development education, parent education, case management, and family support to participants.
• Community Linkages: Connect high-risk families to community resources such as medical homes, counseling, community assistance, employment, and training opportunities. Document and follow up on referrals.
• Documentation: Ensure timely documentation of all activities, including weekly visit logs, child assessments, screening information, and activity reports.
• Preparation: Review individual family needs and child development progress before each home visit.
• Socializations/Group Connections: Assist in preparing for family socialization events and group connections.
• Data Management: Accurately input and maintain data for all families in relevant databases.
• Assessments: Complete all family and child assessments within required timeframes.
• Family Binders: Create, maintain, and manage comprehensive binders for each family.
• Supervision & Meetings: Participate in reflective supervision sessions, staff meetings, and trainings to foster growth and teamwork.
• Transition Plans: Develop transition plans for each child/family based on age.
• Onboarding: Assist in onboarding new home visitors by arranging observation opportunities and demonstrating data input processes.
• Resource Gathering: Seek and gather resources from partner agencies in Richland County to support enrolled families.
• Caseload Management: Maintain a caseload of 12-15 families, with travel requirements of up to 45 minutes per home visit within Richland County.

Qualifications

• Education: Minimum Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, Social Work, Psychology, or a related field. Bachelor’s Degree is highly preferred.
• Experience: Experience working with infants, toddlers, and families from diverse socio-economic backgrounds. Experience in crisis intervention is also preferred.
• Cultural Competency: Ability to work effectively with culturally diverse families and communities. Being bilingual in Spanish and English is required.
• Technical Proficiency: Proficient with technology and able to learn new database systems for documentation.
• Transportation: Must have reliable transportation and a valid driver's license.
• Certifications: CPR and First Aid certification, and Parents as Teachers certification (current or obtainable).
• Professional Development: Commit to completing 20 hours of professional development annually.

Why Bilingual Skills Are Essential

• Effective Communication: Facilitate clear and effective communication with Spanish-speaking families, ensuring they fully understand and benefit from the services provided.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Provide culturally relevant support and resources, respecting and valuing the diverse backgrounds of the families served.
• Community Outreach: Enhance outreach efforts and build stronger relationships within the Spanish-speaking community, ensuring comprehensive support and inclusion.

Join Our Team

If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of young children and their families, are proficient in both Spanish and English, and meet the required qualifications, become a part of a collaborative and supportive environment at Richland County First Steps.

Richland County First Steps is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.