General Summary:

Under the direct supervision of the HFM Team Leader, is responsible for enhancing the home environment and parenting functioning for the physical and mental well-being of children who are at risk of being abused/neglected, and for poor health and developmental outcomes. Family Support Specialist assists with the strengthening of the parent-child relationship through improving parenting skills and empowering parents towards self-sufficiency. Works with individual families in the home and with groups occasionally. Participates in weekly supervision and accesses supervisor (HFM Team Leader) in crisis situations.

Principal Responsibilities and Duties:

1. Manages a maximum weighted caseload of 24, documenting interventions and assuring timely assessments as appropriate.
2. Demonstrates ability to work as a part of a team and is able to work independently. Obtains pre-approval for work to be completed outside the normal work hours or outside the office.
3. Establishes a trusting relationship with at-risk families by initiating and maintaining regular family contact. Willingness to work within culturally diverse communities.
4. Demonstrates a familiarity with parent-child interaction and infant/child development concepts and materials, and the dynamics of child abuse and neglect. Utilizing these concepts and materials with parents and children on home visits.
5. Utilizes the program’s evidence based curriculum, Parents As Teachers with all families and seeks supervisory guidance and approval for use of other materials.
6. With active guidance from HFM Team Leader, establishes a service plan including goals, objectives and activities. Reviews and revises service plans and Family Goal Plans routinely and regularly with the family and in supervision with the HFM Team Leader.
7. Performs evaluation instruments and child screenings on time according to the HFM program schedule.
8. Demonstrates competence in written English. Records family observations, activities, pertinent information relevant to family observation, and worker intervention in a consistent and timely manner, no later than 48 hours after family contact.
9. Is able to balance the work with families with the program’s need for timely completion of all required documentation.
10. Has a basic understanding of how to document for database entry.
11. Familiarizes self with community resources appropriate to needs of families.Assists parents in making and attending appointments for doctors, social service agencies, etc. Acts as a liaison between families and other community agencies.
12. Participates in participant group activities that may include assisting in the planning for the group and in providing child care, if needed.
13. Demonstrates an ability to learn and apply basic counseling skills.
14. Adheres to the Healthy Families America Best Practice Standards.
15. Meets with HFM Team Leader on a weekly basis for a minimum of 1.5 hours to evaluate family status and reflect on how best to serve participants. Shares interventions, perceptions and needs. Demonstrates the capacity for introspection, communicates awareness of self in relation to others, recognizes the value of supervision.
16. Attends all staff meetings, case conferences, required training and any additional training, workshops, conferences and continuing education training recommended by HFM Management staff. Submits career development plan to supervisor. Maintains First Aid and Infant/Child CPR certification.
17. Familiarizes self with, and abides by, Sheppard Pratt and HFM policies and procedures.
18. Is a Mandated Reporter of suspected cases of child abuse and neglect in accordance with Maryland State and Montgomery County regulations. Reports suspected cases of child abuse and neglect to immediate supervisor and completes all corresponding documentation within the time requirements.
19. Abides by Sheppard Pratt policy on confidentiality, sharing information about families on a need-to-know basis, after obtaining the parents’ written consent to do so.
20. Willing and able to drive personal car to the Montgomery County communities served by HFM.
21. Is accountable for time/mileage by maintaining a weekly schedule and accurate, timely reporting of work hours and mileage.
22. Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

1. Minimum of high school graduate, or equivalency and demonstrated knowledge of parenting skills, early childhood, and case planning practice required. Preferred - Bachelor's degree in social work, early childhood, family studies or related field with 1 year of experience, or experience working with families, infants/children in a home setting.
2. Strong organizational skills in order to balance the family's needs with the program's requirement for accurate and complete documentation.
3. Experienced in the use of a computer for documentation, reporting and use of the internet.
4. Ability to maintain flexible work schedule, including some evening and weekend hours.
5. Must have a valid driver's license with less than 3 points and the use of a reliable car for work purposes.
6. Must be able to demonstrate fluency in Spanish and English.

Working Conditions: Note: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable a qualified individual with a disability(s) to perform the essential functions of this position.

1. Generally, work occurs in a childcare environment where noise and distractions are common.
2. Ability to lift 30 pounds and participate in floor time activities with participant families