Description

Looking to teach and care for young children in your local community? Then join our Children & Family Services program! Easterseals Blake Foundation offers a variety of services including childcare centers, early head start, and home visitation.

The Family Connections Consultant provides family-centered home visitation services that are comprehensive, coordinated, community based, accessible and culturally appropriate to at-risk families and their children referred by the Department of Child Safety (DCS). The focus of the service is to improve the safety and well-being of families, enhance family functioning, increase parenting competencies, foster self-sufficiency, reduce risk factors, increase protective factors and stabilize the family unit to prevent children’s’ removal. This position works as part of a Family Connections team, the family, DCS staff and others identified as relevant to supporting the family. The comprehensive services include, but are not limited to: crisis intervention; family assessment, goal setting and development of an Individualized Family Plan addressing DCS identified safety and risk factors and expected behavioral changes; individual, family and marital therapy; communication and negotiation skills; structured parenting education and child development; problem solving skills and stress management; home management and nutrition; clinical family assessments; domestic violence; trauma; substance abuse; child developmental screenings; and linkages and access to formal and informal community resources.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Direct Services -

• Respond to referrals within timelines established by contract to families referred by DCS; provide immediate crisis stabilization and intervention, as needed.
• Complete a comprehensive, family-centered assessment using clinical observations, formal assessment/screening tools, motivational interviewing techniques, and reports from DCS to reflect a holistic view of the family and child; document family strengths, resources, priorities and concerns.
• Complete weekly visits following contractual requirements.
• Complete weekly reports in a timely manner.
• Convene a team to develop the Family Service Plan with goals and strategies to meet the identified outcomes for families and their children, including activities, timelines and individuals to support the plan.
• Work as part of a team to support the family to include the assigned DCS Worker, other informal support individuals, agencies and/or service providers involved with family to address outcomes.
• Provide crisis intervention; individual, family, marital and group coaching; parenting education; communication and negotiation skills development; problem solving skills; stress management and other therapies as defined in the Individualized Family Plan.
• Provide community resources and link families to services including: behavioral health, food banks, community organizations, etc.

Requirements

EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION/LICENSE REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in the field of social services and 1 year of work- related experience
• Experience providing behavioral health assessments, intervention and coaching to at risk families and their children
• Clearance from the Background Check for Employment through the Central Registry as required by Arizona Department of Child Safety
• Valid, unrestricted Arizona driver’s license and the willingness to use personal vehicle in the course of employment. Must meet minimum requirements of agency insurance carrier.
• Current State of Arizona Fingerprint Clearance card
• Current First Aid and CPR cards
• Bilingual in Spanish and English preferred

OTHER GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Qualified employees who are interested in applying must first notify their current Supervisor of their intent to apply for another job opening within EBF for informational purposes
• Qualified employees must have held their current position with EBF for a least twelve (12) consecutive months and, have a satisfactory performance record and have no disciplinary actions during the last twelve (12) consecutive months
• Must submit a valid Fingerprint Clearance Card on hire OR pass a Criminal History Background Check prior to beginning employment and submit an active Fingerprint Clearance Card after hire
• Complete all trainings (virtual and in person) as scheduled by DCS
• Must be able to utilize Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as face mask, gown, goggles and gloves, for any amount of time necessary to provide a physical barrier to protect the employee and others.

Ability to provide:

• Current TB Test/Physical and/or other medical examinations in conformance with licensing/certification requirements including drug screen before hiring and annually thereafter.
• Reliable transportation to community settings, a current Arizona driver’s license, proof of insurance, and a clean driving record for the past 3-years.
• A flexible work schedule, including evenings and weekends, and availability by phone 24 hours/day, 7 days/week

Easterseals Blake Foundation is an EEO/AA/Vet/Disabled Employer