Family Support Worker - Child Welfare

Shift: Afternoon shift available

Do you enjoy helping others?  Would you like a career that provides you an opportunity to help families and to make a difference in the lives of children?  Join us in creating a brighter future for children and their families.

At Kids Central, we believe every child deserves to grow up in a safe and loving home that provides a path to a bright future.   However, sometimes children and their families need additional support to ensure their safety and well-being.   That is where we step in. 

This position is responsible for transporting and serving as a paraprofessional to children and families in the child welfare department. This position also assists Family Care Managers and Family Care Manager Supervisors in supervising visitations, documenting visitation observations, transporting to medical/dental appointments, providing supervision of children, and performing routine clerical duties for at-risk families. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty listed below satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be allowed to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Coordinate and provide transportation in various modes (i.e., car, plane, train, etc.) for children under Child Protective Services, including relocation/placement in foster homes, physician visits, and supervised parental visits; supervises children in the play area while parents meet with Family Care Managers.
• Supervises parental and/or family visitations as directed by Family Care Managers (FCM) or Family Care Manager Supervisor (FCMS); monitors visitation time and makes decisions to terminate visit if necessary; makes immediate oral reports of visitation and follows up with written visit observation forms.
• Establish positive relationships with children, natural parents, foster and adoptive parents, and extended family.
• Demonstrates commitment to providing superior customer service experiences to all staff and clients with a service-oriented attitude in accordance with principles of professionalism and respect. 
• Demonstrates ability to de-escalate problematic behaviors safely while driving or providing supervision. Report all concerning behaviors or incidents within one hour to the supervisor. Ensures the safety and well-being of children and families served. 
• Demonstrates commitment to improve quality and safety through training, education, communication, collaboration, innovation, and execution.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education/Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.  
• Two years of experience in providing social services, child development, family services, or working in a childcare setting. An associate's or bachelor’s degree in social services or a related field may substitute for required experience. 

Licensure/Certifications

• Valid Florida Driver’s License with acceptable driving record, as required to drive for business purposes. 
• Must maintain and show proof of the appropriate automobile insurance limits ($100,000/$300,000) per Florida Statutes.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Ability to work in a highly visible position and use effective interpersonal communication skills to respond to children and their families, and legal entities (i.e., judges, law enforcement, CLS etc.). 
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret professional procedures.
• Ability to write concise reports within 24 hours of event or as required by the program. 
• Must be able to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions and take appropriate actions. 
• Ability to safely operate any type of motor vehicle. Vehicles vary from economy to vans. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.   

• Indoor, temperature-controlled, smoke-free environment. Outdoor exposure.
• Moderate noise level.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Good visual acuity and ability to communicate.
• Ability to lift, lower, push, pull and retrieve objects weighing a minimum of 20 pounds.   Reasonable assistance will be provided when lifting, pushing, and/or pulling that exceeds the minimum requirements.
• Ability to withstand prolonged standing and walking. Able to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach, stoop, bend, and/or kneel during an 8-12-hour day.

ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE

Our mission is, “Protecting Children, Supporting Families, and Engaging Communities”.  Kids Central, Inc. is the lead Community Based Care agency for child welfare in Circuit 5, which encompasses Marion, Lake, Hernando, Sumter, and Citrus Counties.  We maintain a system of care for children and families that have experienced or are at-risk of experiencing child abuse or neglect.  Kids Central, Inc. does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, disability, or veteran status as those terms are defined under applicable law.  Kids Central is a Drug-Free Workplace, Equal Employment Opportunity, and E-Verify Employer.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Kids Central, Inc., provides a comprehensive compensation package that includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, a 401(k) with company match, and a generous paid time off allotment.

Employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D/V