Human Services Specialist I - Columbia, United States - Howard County

Howard County

Verified Company

Columbia, United States

3 weeks ago

Posted by:

Mark Lane

beBee recruiter

Description

Provides parent education services to Healthy Families program participants through home visits.

The Family Support Specialist is responsible for initiating and maintaining regular home visiting support to families using a familycentered, strengthbased model. Interventions include establishing a trusting relationship; assisting in strengthening the parentchild relationship, assisting parents in improving their skills to optimize the home environment, improving the family support system, and increasing the family's ability to problem solve and assume the role of advocate for themselves and their children. In addition, identifying and referring for contact/appointments at other supportive agencies may be necessary. The Family Support Specialist is responsible for supporting families in identifying and establishing goals and a plan for accomplishment of those goals, in addition to the assessment of the normal growth and development of the target child. As a member of the Office of Children and Families, the Family Support Specialist is expected to contribute to office wide events and programming, including but not limited to parent workshops, trainings, and community events.

IMPORTANT NOTICE:
This position is grant funded.

Individuals selected for the position will serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority and may be terminated if the grant funding for the position ends.

STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE:

$ $28.09

$51,824 - $58,431

CLASS DESCRIPTION:

Performs professional level human services work, which may include supervisory responsibility, under general supervision from an administrative or technical superior. Work includes human service, administrative, and counseling work; providing counseling and programmatic services to the special populations; and providing assistance in identifying the population at risk, its needs and how to meet those needs. Organizes and publicizes large events for citizens or special groups. Work also includes providing services needed to carry out human service programs or the operation of a medium sized center with extensive regional responsibility and concurrent programming.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Works and cooperates with co-workers and supervisors at all levels.

Learns and performs all essential job functions.

Completes the Initial Psychosocial Assessment with parents to determine eligibility for home visitation services and to connect the family with appropriate resources and referrals.

Facilitates regular home visits utilizing an evidence-based curriculum sharing age-appropriate child development and parenting information.

Addresses challenging issues and behaviors utilizing Healthy Families America (HFA) Reflective Strategies.

Completes and submits the required documentation in a timely manner.

Conducts developmental screenings and initiates appropriate referrals and/or activities to enhance child development.

Conducts parenting screenings for depression, intimate partner violence and substance abuse.

Identifies family needs and provides information and referrals to other community agencies on a regular basis.

Establishes and implements family support plans including goals, objectives, and activities.

Works in cooperation with team members in the planning and implementation of family group events, generating topics/themes based on parent's needs.

Maintains documentation on families updated in the participant files and confidential electronic files system used by the agency.

Participates in weekly reflective supervision with an HFA certified Supervisor.

Assist with community outreach, programs and service delivery within the Office of Children and Families.

Participates in activities related to Emergency Management as requested, including work outside normal business hours.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor degree or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Bachelor Degree in early childhood education, social work, health, psychology, or related field.

Experience working with or providing services to children and families.

Knowledge of infant and child development.

Ability to establish rapport with families, build trusting relationships and empower families by building on their strengths.

Acceptance of individual differences.

Ability to receive supervision and work independently, problem solve and be solution focused.

Ability to travel throughout the County.

Knowledge of effective outreach strategies for families.

Open to reflective practice.

Strong interpersonal skills, excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to work well with an ethnically diverse population.

Proficiency in virtual platforms and use of technology for human services d