Bilingual Family Support Advocate (Spanish/English)

Shelter Youth & Family Services; Arlington Heights (IL); On-site; USD 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

Shelter Youth & Family Services is seeking a Bilingual Family Support Specialist (Spanish/English) to build trusting relationships, provide strength-based services, and coordinate long-term support for participating families up to five years.

You will perform prenatal and postnatal screenings, conduct home visits, support parents in developing skills, connect families with community resources, and document progress in Visit Tracker.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree or an associates degree in early childhood education, social work, or a closely related field from an accredited school required; master's degree in social work or similar field and experience is desired.
• Infant mental health endorsement preferred.
• Experience in working with or providing services to children and 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, communicating awareness of self in relation to others, recognizing value of supervision etc.)
• Fluency in both the English and Spanish language is required.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Basic familiarity and experience working with Microsoft Windows and Office software.
• Ability to work flexible hours.
• Demonstrated commitment to and understanding of Shelter's mission, vision, and values.
• Must have a valid Illinois driver's license, an automobile, and must submit proof of Illinois auto insurance.
• Must become certified in CPR, Infant CPR, and First Aid within the first six months of employment.
• Must complete a medical and T.B. test. Must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to the latest CDC guidelines.
• Must be fingerprinted by the State of Illinois and must submit to a full background check through the Department of Children and Family Services.
• Must submit official educational transcripts from the last school in which a degree was awarded.
• Ability to lift 40 lbs.

Responsibilities

• Conduct home visitations according to the Level of Needs Standards, tapering off as the child reaches five years of age.
• Responsible for the initial screening of parents during prenatal period or immediately after birth of child to determine factors which may qualify the family for services.
• Provide long-term supportive and educational services to parents admitted to the program.
• Assist parents in improving their skills to optimize a positive home environment.
• Increase the family's ability to problem solve and advocate for themselves and their children.
• Partner with families to establish and achieve personal goals.
• Support parents in obtaining a medical home and timely immunizations and well child visits.
• Conduct regular social-emotional and developmental screenings of children participating in the program and refer to Early Intervention as needed.
• Provide parents through parent child activities opportunities to support their child's development and encourage age-appropriate stimulation.
• Intervene with any appropriate developmental activities necessary to address developmental deficits.
• Keep up to date with community resources to assist families in meeting needs and accomplishing goals.
• Maintain accurate information about family demographics, assessments, home visitation reports and program outcomes in Visit Tracker.
• Meet program timelines for all documentation and reporting requirements.
• Maintain a monthly report of daily activities with families.
• Report any changes of schedules to supervisor.
• Follow Program Policy & Procedures for home visiting.
• Participate in staff meetings and reflective supervision.
• Complete time reports every two weeks in ADP.

Skills

Bilingual English/Spanish

Trusting relationships

Strong communication

Time management

Education

Bachelor's or Associate in ECE/Social Work

Master's in Social Work (preferred)

Tools

Windows

Microsoft Office

Job description

Shelter Youth & Family Services is seeking a Bilingual Family Support Specialist (Spanish/English) to build trusting relationships, provide strength-based services, and coordinate long-term support for participating families up to five years.

You will perform prenatal and postnatal screenings, conduct home visits, support parents in developing skills, connect families with community resources, and document progress in Visit Tracker.