Family Resource and Support Specialist

POSITION DESCRIPTION - The Healthy Families, Family Resource and Support Specialists hold a dual role of screening referrals/applicants for program eligibility and also providing support to a small caseload. With the ultimate goal of preventing child abuse and neglect, eligible parents receive support and resources for up to five years starting at pregnancy. While honoring diverse family structures and parenting practices, this nationally accredited program, helps parents build positive parenting skills, connect with community resources, strengthen relationships with their children, support healthy development, and build the skills that are necessary for success in school and in life!

• Spanish speakers strongly encouraged to apply!
• Schedule – M-F 8:30 am – 5:00 pm with one evening and some occasional evening or Saturday events
• REQUIREMENTS
• Knowledge AND experience with INFANT and child development
• Knowledge of effective parenting skills for ages children 0 to 5
• Associate degree in human services, social work, or related field (Bachelor's preferred)
• Two years’ experience working with or providing services to children and families
• Strong organizational and communication skills with the ability to complete thorough and accurate reports on time
• Openness to reflective practices (i.e. demonstrated self-awareness, communicating awareness of self in relation to others, recognizing the value of supervision, etc.)
• Experience and humility required to work with diverse families and develop trusting relationships
• Successfully complete State and Federal background investigation and drug test.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license and insured vehicle; ability to travel all over Charles county as part of a typical workday

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensure that any imminent or threatened abuse or neglect is reported immediately to Child Protective Services.
• Screen potential clients with Initial Screen if not done by the referral source.
• Make contact with new referrals within 24 hours of receiving the screen and perform Creative Outreach in order to contact hard-to-reach families
• Perform and score family assessments using the FROG Scale instrument.
• Become familiar with local resources to provide referrals to families
• Maintain partnerships with current referral sources and develop new sources.
• Conduct home visits as specified for the families’ level of service.
• Assist families with establishing Family Goal Plans, review status regularly, follow prescribed curriculum/activities to develop and improve parent-child interaction.
• Screen children using the Ages & Stages Questionnaires to identify developmental delays.
• Screen primary caregivers for depression, substance abuse, and domestic violence.

PERKS

• Guaranteed 40 hours/week with a predictable schedule
• Mileage Reimbursement
• Paid holidays! We have 11 scheduled holidays and 1 floating/birthday holiday!
• $1,600 health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) funded by CFC to cover qualifying medical expenses each plan year.
• Free basic life insurance, up to $50,000.
• Disability insurance, with 25% of the premium covered by CFC.
• Ongoing paid training from Healthy Families America, a nationally recognized home visiting program
• Opportunity to support your community while connecting with helping professionals in many fields
• Being part of an organization that values diversity, prioritizes equity, and focuses on inclusion, both for staff and the families we serve.

COMPANY DESCRIPTION - Center for Children, is Southern Maryland's leading organization dedicated to the prevention and treatment of child abuse and the promotion of positive mental and behavioral health through crisis intervention, therapy and education. The Center for Children’s team of professionals provides individual and family therapy, play and group therapy, psychological testing and evaluations, mental health evaluations and more than 19 programs and services for the entire family. We serve more than 4,500 individuals each year in Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles, Howard, Prince Georges and St. Mary's counties.

CFC IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND DRUG FREE WORKPLACE. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $18.00 - $20.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Education:

• Associate (Required)

Experience:

• providing advocacy for low income/low resource families: 1 year (Preferred)
• early childhood (ages 0 to 2): 2 years (Required)

Language:

• Spanish/are you bilingual (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Required)

Shift availability:

• Day Shift (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $18 - $20