PARENT EDUCATOR MIDWEST HEALTHY START

SGA Youth & Family Services; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 39,600 - 48,400; Full time

Job summary

A community support organization in Chicago is seeking a Family Support Specialist to manage a caseload, conduct home visits, and assist families in achieving developmental goals. Candidates should possess an Associate's Degree in Social Work or a similar field, with strong communication skills and cultural sensitivity. Experience with young children is essential, and bilingual skills in English and Spanish are preferred. This role offers a salary starting at $44,000 and emphasizes the importance of supporting diverse families.

Qualifications

• Experience working with young children is required.
• Bilingual/Bicultural in English and Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

• Recruit and maintain a caseload of 50 participants.
• Complete required assessments and assist families with goals.
• Plan and assist with implementation of home-based activities.

Skills

Communication with diverse families

Cultural sensitivity

Effective public speaking

Education

Associates Degree in Social Work or related field

Certified Lactation Counselor

Job description

Description

• Recruit and maintain a caseload of 50 participants and conduct monthly home visits with each participant on caseload.
• Establish and maintain cooperative, trusting relationships with individual’s families, and clinical/community-based organizations.
• Use language that conveys caring and is non-judgmental.
• Identify and share appropriate Healthy Start information and encourage and/or navigate referrals to and from clinics, community-based organizations, community members, and current participants.
• Use a range of outreach methods to engage individuals and groups in diverse settings.
• Complete required assessments, including Healthy Start tools to better understand participants, their families and their communities.
• Assist participants/families with creating goals that will be documented on an Individual Family Service Plan, which must be updated quarterly.
• Screen and refer for substance abuse and postpartum depression treatment as indicated.
• Plan and assist parents/caregivers with implementing developmentally appropriate home based activities.
• Explain the importance of well child visits including immunizations, and assist participants in finding a medical home for their infant/child and keeping recommended appointments.
• Educate participants about infant safety, including safe sleep practices for baby.
• Discuss the importance of and promote father/partner engagement with the infant/child with all participants.
• Discuss the importance of ongoing parent-child interactions, including reading to infants/children every day.
• Assist participants with completing a Family Reproductive Plan.
• Complete ASQ SE 2 and ASQ 3 screenings with parent/infant/child.
• Assist in identifying children with special needs and makes the necessary referrals.
• Assist in planning and implementation of socialization's and monthly parent meetings.
• Integrate other components, i.e. health, nutrition, mental health, parent involvement and special needs into the home visit.
• Advocate for and promote the use of culturally and linguistically appropriate services and resources within the Healthy Start program and with the diverse community partners.
• Understand organizational policies and procedures and ensure all work efforts conducted are consistent with Healthy Start guidelines and SGA policies and procedures
• Maintain and preserve a confidential family file.
• Compile and enter data into ETO as required by the Program and agency.
• Maintain/update client files and records to ensure Healthy Start and ETO databases are updated as required per policy (within 24 hours) and Healthy Start Standards and Guidelines.
• Provide data and information that will assist in program reporting.
• Inform the Healthy Start Team of resources available to community families.
• Develop a consistent schedule to visit with program participants.
• Participate in on-going training and staff development provided by, SGA, the Program Director, other consultants, workshops and conferences.
• Contribute to the agency’s efforts related to prevention and integrated service delivery with other community providers.
• Demonstrates knowledge and is involved in the Agency’s Continuous Quality Improvement Activities.
• Support and contribute to inter-system collaboration with other service providers to improve social service delivery systems.
• Attend regularly scheduled staff meetings, education meetings, social service and health meetings.
• Comply with HIPAA regulating stipulations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Education:

• Associates Degree in Social Work, Early Childhood or related field required.
• Certified Lactation Counselor, preferred.

Experience

• Experience working with young children is required.
• Parents As Teachers knowledge preferred.

Other

• Sensitivity to cultural diversity is required. Ability to communicate and cooperate with diverse families, various professionals and community groups.
• Must demonstrate the ability to establish helping relationships with families of varying educational, experiential and socio-economic backgrounds and handle emergency and crisis situations.
• Bilingual/Bicultural in English and Spanish, preferred.
• Must have valid driver’s license and insurance.
• Must be able to transport oneself to and from home visits.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees or the organization.
• Exercises discretion and independent judgment in executing tasks.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to remain stationary 50% of the time.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer.
• Occasionally ascends/descends stairs.
• Constantly positions oneself to assist children during activities.
• Frequently moves desks, chairs, tables, easels, and children's toys.
• At times may be required to lift up to 25 lbs. for various classrooms and event’s needs.
• Frequently moves in outdoor weather conditions.

Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time; this description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions, it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. This job description is subject to change at any time.

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Employee Signature Date

An Equal Opportunity Employer

Salary Description

$44,000