Position: Family Coach

Supervisor: Chapter Director

Classification: Exempt

Location: Lake County, IL (i.e. Lake Zurich, Grayslake, Libertyville, etc.)

Position Summary:

The Safe Families for Children Family Coach bears responsibility for the monitoring of children, coordinating services and supporting parents and volunteers.

Core Responsibilities:

1. Facilitate the relationship between the placing parent and host family.

2. Work in partnership with referral sources, families and volunteers to identify needs and support the family in making progress to meet their identified goals.

3. Agree with families the aims and purpose of your involvement setting out through an agreement with clear goals and improvements expected from the support.

4. Work with families, churches and agencies to develop and coordinate the delivery of a support plan, continually assessing changes in family circumstances and reviewing risk and support needs as appropriate.

5. Assist in promoting community relations and program publicity which includes: outreach to community service providers.

6. Maintain effective relationships with church representatives and community agencies.

7. Engage and maintain effective supportive relationships with volunteers and families, working in a way which empowers these parents and families.

8. Support volunteers to advocate on behalf of families in relation to services and agencies.

9. Work with the Intake Coordinator to create and maintain accurate and secure records for the referred families.

10. Ensure host families and other volunteers are working within Safe Family guidelines.

11. Ensure volunteers are working to support safety of all children and vulnerable adults within your caseload.

12. Assist in the Safe Family selection, transportation, and placement of children into host family homes and other supportive services with Safe Family volunteers.

13. Facilitate volunteers providing reasonable efforts for biological parents through on-going assessment and referrals. Ensure volunteers are working effectively with parents to help them improve parenting skills and fulfill the plan to effectively care for their children. Effectively move cases toward return home.

14. Conduct and document regular phone calls and home visitations to Safe Family homes to coach Safe Families on placement issues and to provide somebody they can process their experience with.

15. Maintain a positive working relationship with Safe Family parents to provide support and encouragement for a high standard of care.

16. Assess for and refer to services needed for the biological and Safe Families host parents.

17. Coordinate and facilitate communication between service providers.

18. Help to ensure that aftercare services are offered to families and that placing and host families remain connected.

19. Active involvement with CQI activities/requirements including surveys, file reviews, etc.

20. Assist with transport of children to and from Safe Families placement and visits with parents as needed.

21. Conduct home studies, assessments and reassessments of Safe Families applicants as needed.

22. Assist the chapter Director in identifying and developing fundraising opportunities.

Any other duties as may be assigned.

Required qualifications, knowledge, skills and experience:

• Good all-around education and communication skills with a qualification in working with children and families

Desirable knowledge and skills:

• Can demonstrate competence in working with families often in challenging circumstances.
• Can demonstrate competence in completing risk assessments relating to working with families with complex needs.
• Strong in empathy and sensitive interpersonal skills, tact and discretion.
• Knowledge and experience of good practice standards in relation to children and families, in particular with regard to achieving positive outcomes and promoting their welfare.
• Experience of working with children and families in a community setting.
• Team player.
• Able to drive and with own transport.
• Good problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Flexibility to respond to a changing environment, travel and work demands of the role.
• An understanding of fundraising and how to help locate funding sources.

Screenings:

• Pass a criminal background check
• Pass a child abuse and neglect screening
• Updated driver’s license and auto insurance

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $45,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Application Question(s):

• Please describe any volunteer or work experiences that you have in a faith based setting

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Shift availability:

• Day Shift (Preferred)

Work Location: In person