Parent Skills Educator

Description

Compensation - $41,000 - $43,000

Preventive Services

Preventive services are provided to families who have been impacted in the child welfare arena. A CPS investigation has taken place due to a child being at risk of harm, abuse or neglect. In efforts to avert a child’s removal from the home and/or to reunify the child back into the family environment, preventive services are mandated by Family First legislation to be provided to families in lieu of foster care placement.

Position Summary – The Parent Skills Educator provides families involved in the child welfare system with an effective, culturally sensitive approach to strengthening and improving parenting skills. Our client base is parents identified by Erie County Department of Social Services who demonstrate a need for improved parenting skills.  The goal is to assist families with developing parenting techniques that can keep children safely in their home and avoid foster care placement.   Parenting Skills Educators deliver services within the families’ homes, including skill assessment, individual parenting plan development, hands-on-skill demonstrations, coaching, and reinforcing parenting ability.  The Buffalo Urban League utilizes best- practiced parenting skills and evidenced based parenting curriculums in service delivery.  

 Responsibilities and Duties:  

• Responsible for services in the home and community that focus on the need of the parent for instruction and guidance.
• Establishes a trusting, supportive and nurturing relationship with parents.
• Builds skills and competencies that focus on role modeling, listening, home management, early child   development, and personal coping behavior.
• Responsible for stabilizing and helping families in need of intervention by providing in-home parenting education and referring these families to community-based resources.  
• Provides hands on assistance to demonstrate or assist the families stabilize their environments.
• Works in concert and as a team member with casework staff with the goal of ensuring the safety and protection of children by improving parenting competencies.
• Assists families in strengthening the parent-child bond, reduce social isolation, build trust, and help parents identify their children’s needs and appropriate ways to respond to those needs and discipline.
• Provides program and service information to clients.   
• Makes recommendations to Case Planner regarding needed community service linkages.
• Assists with nutrition education (i.e. meal planning, advice on grocery shopping, meal preparation), information on homemaking and budgeting topic, parenting techniques/skills, and assistance in accessing community resources.

• Prepares progress notes and other documentation related to services or contacts with clients.
• Maintains a caseload and submits billing requirements daily.
• Meets with parent(s) daily/weekly as needed and/or prescribed.
• Conducts “topic specific” workshops each month.
• Teaches how to utilize public transportation to medical/services appointments, ECDSS appointments, etc. Provides transportation as appropriate.
• Assists parent(s) with improving or re-engaging with extended family members’ additional support and adequate support system.
• Participates in monthly case conferences with Case Planner, Scheduled Service Reviews, and Continuity Meetings with family and Case Planner, etc.
• Prepares for and testifies in Family Court as requested.
• Other (as assigned by supervisory staff).

Qualifications

Qualifications: 

• Minimum High School diploma with a minimum of two years of experience supporting multi-issue families.  BA/BS degree preferred in human services or related field with one year experience in case management or implementing direct client services to multi-problem families.
• Working knowledge of computers and computer software (NYS CONNECTIONS is a plus).  Working knowledge of computers and software.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to carry out assignments without direct supervision.
• Valid Driver’s License, Insurance, and daily access to a vehicle.
• The ability to go to and inside different homes, climb stairs, etc.

        ·     Ability to work flexible hours.

• Bi-lingual in Spanish (desired but not required).

• Exceptional interpersonal and empathy skills.
• Ability to relate well with clients, staff and others.
• Ability to communicate a warm, caring, non-judgmental approach.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Excellent verbal and written skills are required.  
• Positive attitude toward job, fellow workers and agency.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word and Access applications.  
• Takes initiative in assisting staff with projects and is self-directing.

Salary : $41,000 - $43,000