Family Resource Specialist

Nebraska Children’s Home Society, Inc.; Omaha (NE); On-site; USD 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Nebraska Children’s Home Society, Inc. is seeking a Family Resource Specialist to provide prenatal and parenting education for families with children aged birth to 5 years. The role involves home visits and virtual support utilizing an evidence-based curriculum.

Ideal candidates will possess a minimum of a high school diploma and 3 to 5 years of relevant experience. Bilingual skills and familiarity with diverse families are preferred. Flexible working hours and local travel may be required.

Qualifications

• 3 to 5 years of experience working with families.
• Ability to speak additional languages preferred.
• Infant mental health endorsement preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide prenatal and parenting education to families.
• Conduct home visits and virtual meetings via Zoom.
• Collaborate with other agencies to support families.

Skills

Advocating for families

Proficiency in Microsoft 365

Strong verbal and written communication

Experience with culturally diverse families

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Associate’s Degree in human services

Bachelor’s degree in social work

Job description

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

The Family Resource Specialist (Bilingual preferred) will provide prenatal and parenting education and support for parents and their children (birth - 5 years) through one-on-one visits in the home, a neutral location, NCHS office, or by Zoom. Frequency of visits are determined by the assigned level of the parent as prescribed by the Healthy Families America model.

Provide one on one visits in the home, neutral location, NCHS office, or by Zoom, frequency based on assigned level, using the evidence-based curriculum to educate and support parents regarding prenatal education (healthy pregnancy, childbirth), breastfeeding, parent/child interactions, child development, safety, sexual health/family planning and parent/child health.

Engage in activities necessary to the provision of direct service to families, including but not limited to:

• Utilize the evidence-based curriculum to plan individual lessons for each family.
• Utilize additional curricula and models as part of the delivery of service.
• Utilize and complete 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.
• Drive to and from home-based appointments and occasional parent transport after discussion with your supervisor.
• Utilize technology to conduct home visits via Zoom or phone as necessary and appropriate.
• Attend community meetings as a representative of NCHS to provide information about NCHS services and to gather information on resources and events in the community available to families.
• Identify, research and connect families to community resources based on their identified needs.
• Assist families in incoming up with a list of individuals or organizations to contact in times of emergency such as family, friends, police, fire department, and 911.

Collaborate with other agencies, service providers, and informal supports, which may include case workers, therapists, and/or relatives to advocate on behalf of families.

Respond to the following according to NCHS Policies and Procedures and HFA Policies and Procedures:

Provide and complete family referrals to conduct Family Resilience and Opportunities for Growth scale as assigned within appropriate timeframes.

Initiate contact with families when assigned to begin HFA services.

Participate in family engagement efforts to recruit and keep families actively involved in the program.

Participate in weekly supervision sessions by being prepared to share updates on caseload, discuss assessments due, review goals, reflect on how the work is impacting you, and to seek feedback and guidance as needed, for 1 ½ hours with assigned supervisor or designee.

Attend and participate in various HFA team, Children and Family Center team, and NCHS team member meetings.

Input data such as but not limited to documentation, assessment tools, referrals made, and goals set.

Implement CQI procedures as defined by program assignment.

Adheres to NCHS, Nebraska, and model, if applicable, confidentiality requirements and ensures maintenance of confidentiality of program records and communications.

Supplemental Duties and Responsibilities:

Complete training necessary to perform position and necessary for professional growth such as but not limited to HFA Foundations, HFA Families Resilience and Opportunities for Growth (FROG) scale, evidence based curriculum Prenatal-36-month, evidence based Preschool curriculum, Mothers and Babies, Mobility Mentoring, Child Abuse and Neglect, and Cultural Humility.

Commitment to NCHS mission, vision, values, CQI initiatives, and strategic plan goals.

Maintain a positive and cooperative relationship with internal and external professionals.

Participation in agency committees as assigned.

Positive representation of NCHS in all community settings.

Ability to interpret and abide by NCHS policies and procedures.

Embracing and championing NCHS’s mission, values and culture.

Other duties as assigned by the supervisor and/or director.

Qualifications and Requirements:

Minimum education and experience:

High School Diploma or equivalent and 3 to 5 years of experience working with families OR an Associate’s Degree in a related human services field;

Bachelor’s degree in social work or related human services field preferred.

Ability to speak an additional language or languages other than English preferred.

Infant mental health endorsement through Nebraska Association for Infant Mental Health preferred

Knowledge, skills, and abilities:

Knowledge and experience advocating for families and children who have been system involved or are system involved. Proficiency in Microsoft 365 Office Suite and using technology and software applications.

Experience in working with or providing services to children and families who have experienced trauma.

Belief that families are the experts of their own lives.

Belief in a nurturing family as the ideal environment for a person and that people have the capacity to grow and change.

Embrace and championing NCHS' culture of belonging through proactive involvement.

Ability to establish trusting relationships.

Ability to maintain a supportive role, intervene appropriately to meet service goals, and model appropriate boundaries.

Experience and humility to work with culturally diverse families.

Knowledge of infant and child development.

Knowledge of child welfare services and issues experienced by system involved children and parents.

Knowledge and experience advocating for families and children who have been system involved or are system involved.

Experience in engaging families who may not engage in services easily.

Ability to analyze and make recommendations regarding individual cases and (frequently simultaneously) to analyze and apply larger, systemic issues.

Ability to ask questions of their supervisor, Coordinator, Children and Family Center Director or other NCHS team members if the answer is not known or it is not clear how to proceed in a situation.

Ability to make independent decisions, as appropriate, and act accordingly, or with minimal support from the supervisor. Ability to work autonomously and make appropriate decisions with consultation from their supervisor, Coordinator, Director or other NCHS team members as outlined in NCHS’s policies/procedures or processes if applicable, in crisis situations.

Strong verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills.

Successfully complete a defensive driving course sanctioned by the National Safety Council.

Ability to read, analyze and interpret forms, documents, evaluations and procedure manuals.

Ability to respond to inquiries and possible concerns from supervisor, NCHS team members, families and/or other providers.

Ability to engage in building reflective capacity.

Ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously to meet deadlines.

Ability to establish positive working relationships and communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing to all employees and community partners.

Ability to maintain confidentiality relative to sensitive information.

Ability to work independently and as part of a team, with strong collaboration skills.

Physical Demand:

The ability to frequently communicate with NCHS team members and community partnerships.

Able to inspect written communication and respond to directions and hazards.

Able to move equipment weighing up to 35 pounds.

Occasionally ascends/descends stairs in the building and home structures.

Able to operate a computer and other office equipment.

Able to remain in a stationary position and move about different work environments.

This position requires access to reliable and safe transportation. A copy of insurance and registration will be required upon hiring.

Some evenings or weekends may be required.

Work is completed in an office setting, in family homes and remotely.

Location of this position is Nebraska.

Local travel will be required with State-wide travel on occasion.

Note: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described above are representative of those that will be encountered by a person performing the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.