Family Services Worker
: Job Details :

DescriptionPOSITION SUMMARY:The Family Service Worker, in collaboration with teachers, will provide services to families in the Head Start CenterBased program. In partnership with parents, the Family Worker develops mutually trusting relationships, acts as an advocate for families, and provides support services as needed. The Family Service Worker will assist families in determining their needs and in identifying and developing goals to meet those needs.OUR CULTURE:Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day. We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place here you can belong and become. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger beginning with you.ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:1. Provide case management services to families in the EHS-HS program, including direct services to families by assisting them in determining family strengths, needs, and goals.2. Work collaboratively with families and other community agencies to provide a full system of care to meet the service needs of the family. Assess services the family is receiving and any need for additional services and makes appropriate referrals. Assure the family can access resources and that appropriate follow up is made.3. Coordinate services for families by arranging case conferences with specialists, coordinators, and other field staff and community agencies.4. Conduct outreach activities to recruit prospective families.5. Compile and maintain family case records of services provided. Maintain confidentiality as required by law and policy.6. In partnership with parents, plan and facilitate monthly parenting meetings.7. Assist with parenting classes and with providing parenting information for individual families as needed.8. Provide crisis intervention as needed and appropriate.9. Maintain a working knowledge of community resources and current trends in social services.10. Build liaisons with other community agencies that will ensure cooperation, coordination, and information sharing.11. Work collaboratively with staff to provide comprehensive, integrated services for families.12. Initiate, or assist staff to make, child abuse reports, as necessary.13. Attend meetings, trainings, and individual case staffing.14. Attend community meetings where HS/EHS representation is appropriate.The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by a person in this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties that may be performed in such a position. Job descriptions are subject to periodic review and approval.LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES:Engaging Community: Builds bridges with others in the community to ensure the Y's work is community-focused and welcoming of all, providing community benefit.Communication & Influence: Listens and expresses self effectively and in a way that engages, inspires, and builds commitment to the Y's cause.Inclusion: Values all people for their unique talents and takes an active role in promoting practices that support diversity, inclusion, and global work, as well as cultural competence.Innovation: Creates and implements new and relevant approaches and activities that improve and expand the Y's work and impact in the community.Developing Self & Others: Develops self and supports others (e.g., staff, volunteers, members, program participants), both formally and informally, to achieve their highest potential.QUALIFICATIONS: Education:Associates Degree in social work, psychology, child development or a related field desired.Experience:1. One-year case management or home visiting experience or working with at-risk families.2. Experience communicating effectively, both verbally and in writing.3. Experience with record keeping including progress notes and maintenance of required documentation, knowledge of Child Plus preferred.4. Experience working with a low income, ethnically and culturally diverse population.5. Experience working effectively as a member of a team.6. Bilingual in Spanish or Portuguese language experience preferred.Additional Requirements:7. Must provide evidence of reliable, insured transportation available for travel during working hours.8. Driver must provide evidence of a valid driver's license and good driving record.9. Driver must provide evidence of current automobile liability insurance.WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:Must have the capability to engage in the physical activities' incidental to the job, including without limitation, the capability to:Regularly stand; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk and hear. Frequently required to walk; sit and taste or smell. Lift and move children. Lift and move equipment and furniture as necessary to facilitate the execution of classroom activities. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus including ability to supervise and monitor children both by sight and sound always. Remain alert during naptime supervision. Respond to children in the case of an emergency to ensure safety, such as the capability to react quickly and chase after a child if he or she runs toward danger or tries to leave the classroom. Most days, employee will be working a portion of the day outside in temperatures ranging from 15 degrees Fahrenheit (with wind chill) up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Attend to the needs of children with disabilities, including physically challenged children. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.