Young Parent Support Specialist

Reports to:                 Director of Teen Residential Services 

Schedule:                   Full time, 37.5 hours/week; Monday—Friday, 9am-5pm with flexibility to meet program needs 

FLSA Status:             Non-Exempt 

Starting Rate:            $23.00/hour

The YWCA of Western MA is dedicated to eliminating racism and empowering survivors. The YW provides a safe place for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Our programs and services include crisis shelter and transitional housing for survivors and their families, counseling, SAFEPLAN court advocacy, community education, supervised visitation, and vocational training for youth. The YWCA provides services at several sites, including Holyoke, Northampton, Westfield, our primary Springfield campus and surrounding areas.

Expectations of all employees

In the performance of essential and general job responsibilities, all YWCA employees are expected to: 

• Demonstrate commitment to the YWCA’s mission and principles of trauma-informed work.
• Represent the YWCA in a professional and competent manner to participants, community members, organizational partners, and other stakeholders. 

• Reflect on and interrupt assumptions, personal and systemic biases, and sources of power when interacting or communicating with colleagues, clients, and external partners.
• Support policies, practices, and decisions that demonstrate our shared accountability for racial equity.
• Foster a positive working environment.
• Coordinate efforts across teams, programs, and partner organizations.
• Maintain professional behavior and strict confidentiality. 

Position Purpose

The Young Parent Support Specialist provides home visiting and case management services to pregnant and/or parenting young families (through age 23), in Springfield, Chicopee, and Holyoke, to support them achieve goals in areas such as parenting skills, child development, educational or career goals, health, social connections and meeting basic needs. The Young Parent Support Counselor will also conduct community outreach to collaborate with other organizations and generate referrals to the program, and provide group and/or individual services in area high schools and other community-based 

Settings.

Essential Responsibilities

• Provide outreach, case management and home visiting to young parents (mothers and fathers) to assist them in parenting, relationship skills, and life management.
• Maintain a caseload of 15-20 participants.

• Conduct initial and periodic assessments of each family to determine the appropriate level of services.
• Complete and collect documentation and data required by funder, including but not limited to developmental screening, literacy screening, and mental health/substance abuse screening.
• Maintain accurate and timely (within 2 business days of service) documentation for each family served, including paper and electronic records.
• Conduct group and individual services in area high schools and other community-based settings, when appropriate.
• Conduct community outreach to collaborate with other organizations and generate referrals to the program.
• Meet deadlines for case management, billing and reporting.
• Attend required supervision, staff meetings and trainings.
• Perform other duties as necessary.

Qualifications 

• Associates Degree or two years preferably in early childhood development or related fields such as social work, human services or community health, or equivalent professional experience;
• Bi-lingual (Spanish/English) skill required;
• Experience with survivors of gender-based violence and exploitation;
• Experience addressing the impacts of decisions and actions on multiple communities;
• Understanding of both interpersonal and structural racism and bias;
• Ability to represent agency from a management perspective in an active union environment;
• Experience with and knowledge of accessing resources within the community;
• Excellent written and organizational skills including computer skills;
• Must have knowledge of/contacts with community agencies;
• Must be able to be covered by the agency's insurance policy; and
• Must be able to lift 40 lbs.

EEO STATEMENT

It is the policy of YWCA of Western Massachusetts to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, pregnancy or maternity, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the YWCA will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

DISCLAIMER

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position.

AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT

The YWCA is an “at-will” equal opportunity employer. While the YWCA will continue to operate with care regarding employment decisions, the YWCA and its employees may terminate the employment relationship at any time and for any reason, with or without cause, and without advance notice. Exceptions include select, non-exempt positions covered under the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). This position is covered under the CBA (union) and is subject to union dues.

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS

The YWCA, in our effort to provide safety to those we serve, and to protect our agency, performs criminal offender record information (CORI) checks on all prospective employees. Final offers of employment are contingent upon receipt of an acceptable CORI report as solely determined by the YWCA.  

INTRODUCTORY PERIOD

All employment at the YWCA begins with a 150-day Introductory Period.