Family Support Specialist

JOB TITLE: Family Support Specialist                         STATUS: Full Time

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt                                      HOURS/WEEK: 40

DIVISION:         Marillac Social Center

DEPARTMENT: Family Support Services

DIRECT SUPERVISOR: Family Support Service Supervisor

DIRECTLY SUPERVISES: None

Mission

Marillac St. Vincent Family Services strengthens, empowers, and gives voice to those in need - in the Vincentian spirit of service - through education and comprehensive programs to build vibrant communities in Chicago.

Core Values

Our employees commit themselves as Individuals to live out the core values of integrity, excellence, creativity, advocacy, respect and empowerment in our daily work, as we serve the needs of others.

Integrity - Acting with transparency, humility and honesty 

Excellence - Providing quality care with compassion 

Creativity - Being continuously resourceful and inventive

Advocacy - Supporting the cause of those who lack resources for a reasonable quality of life 

Respect - Recognizing our own value and upholding the dignity and value of all people 

Empowerment - Providing skills and resources to achieve full human development

Team Behaviors

1. Versatility-Understanding and appreciating different and opposing perspectives on an issue; adapt ing one's approach as the requirements of the situation change; an eagerness for positive  action;   self­ control; active listening.

1. A collaborative work model - Cooperatively working and sharing responsibility; contributing to the group effort; realizing a sense of commitment and ownership in the success of the organization and

      team's goals.

1. Mutual accountability- Holds others accountable with their roles; provides and receives feedback and takes constructive action.

1. Client/customer advocate - Identifies opportunities to improve quality of services; presents one's self

      professionally.

5. Protects confidentiality & privacy- Respects and protects information about all staff and clients

General Summary

Provide a broad range of services to families enrolled in the Child Development program. Establish and maintain relationships with families in an effort to enhance the child's social & emotional development and their child care experience. Provide support and assistance to Child Development staff when dealing with challenging children and families. Help to establish and manage community partnerships and referral sources.

Responsibilities

1. Maintains a caseload of 36 families in the Birth-Five programs, while also supporting 5 to 12 classrooms and families, as needed.
2. Establish and maintain relationships with families to promote social & emotional development of the children, enhance family functioning and improve their childcare experience.

1. Establishes trusting, nurturing relationships with clients/participants.

1. Establish initial and ongoing relationships with families through monthly meetings to assist them in developing and achieving goals for themselves and/or families. Conduct family needs assessments, health history, and nutrition assessments with each family during enrollment.

1. Participates with the multidisciplinary team meetings to ensure that all support services are extended to families based on their needs, including positive behaviors plans during SRT meetings.

1. Provide case management services to parents and families including but not limited to childcare issues, diverse learning services, behavior management, homelessness, unemployment, neglect/abuse, assistance with housing, emergency food needs and clothing.
2. Share relevant information with ECE staff and maintain communication regarding referral outcomes. Conduct classroom meetings with the educational staff as needed to provide additional information to families regarding classroom dynamics.

1. Provide short-term crisis intervention to children and families as needed.

1. Initiate referrals and linkages to community agencies, including Chicago Public Schools and Early Intervention. Assist families in obtaining appropriate and timely services for diverse learning including IEP and IFSPs. Work in collaboration with the diverse learners team to coordinate referrals for internal and/or external services (speech therapy, social skills groups, Food Pantry, Outreach, Nearly New).

1. Develop and manage collaborative relationships with community agencies, school services, onsite service providers, consultants, and parents to advocate for needs of the child(ren).
2. Organize annual training for ECE staff addressing areas where Family Support Services involvement is necessary, as well as special topics as needed.

1. Coordinate monthly parent groups based on needs or interests identified at the start of the school year via survey. Secure guest speakers from community partners around particular topics.

1. Assist families who are job seeking or in need of essential eligibility documentation such as birth certificate, physical, and/or dental forms through referrals.

1. Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation in required database and on-site files, including case notes, client goals, and records of all interactions with children and families.
2. May provide other related social service duties as needed, including but not limited to holiday gift distribution, special events for ECE families, parent/family education & support workshops, etc.
3. Attend team meetings, actively contribute to program planning, and support colleagues.
4. In collaboration with other designated staff, recruits, retains and supports parents at the site and program levels, to ensure representation in site/program parent committees, policy council and to facilitate parent/client voice in all committees and events.
5. Work in collaboration with Intake & admission staff, Site director and Family Support Supervisor for follow-up recommendations to address absences of three days or more for some cases at the center and create an attendance plan with the family.
6. Works in partnership with community partners and various internal and external stakeholders to bring resources and support to programs and identify opportunities for new community partnership agreements.
7. Uphold integrity and exemplify the organization's Core Values in the delivery of all services.

Job Requirements

Experience/Education

• Bachelor's degree in social work (BSW), Human Services, Family and Consumer Science, Family Studies, Psychology or Counseling required OR Gateways Level V Family Specialist Credential
• A minimum of one (1) year of experience working with culturally diverse families required.
• Gateways for Opportunity Family Support Level 5 Credential or eligible.
• Spanish speaking preferred. 
• Demonstrates skills in documentation and record-keeping. 
• Demonstrates intermediate computer skills, including Microsoft Office, Outlook and video conference software

Qualifications

1. Knowledge of child development, case management and therapeutic skills.

1. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, verbal and written.
2. Good listening and analytical problem-solving skills.

1. Strong time management skills.

1. Ability to multi-task and establish priorities.
2. Ability to work collaboratively as a team member.

1. Demonstrated computer literacy.
2. Must be proficient in speaking, reading and writing in the English language. Additionally, proficient speaking, reading and writing in a second language may be preferred but is not a requirement.

1. Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of normal child growth/development and parent-child relationships.

1. Demonstrates fundamental knowledge and understanding of maternal-infant health and concepts of

child abuse and neglect.