Parenting Education Specialist - VanBuren and Surrounding Counties - Full-time / Part-time

Parenting Education Specialist - Van Buren County and Surrounding Counties

Be a Source of Hope

Family & Children Services has been a source of hope for our community's most vulnerable citizens for more than 115 years. This hope is embodied in our mission "to support, strengthen, and preserve the safety, well-being, and dignity of children, individuals, and families" and is delivered every day by our dedicated, experienced, and compassionate staff members.

We're looking for people who want to join us and be a source of hope. That hope could be you.

SUMMARY

Provides direct in-home services to families referred by Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) workers where abuse or neglect has been investigated or investigated and substantiated, allowing families to receive increased supportive services to prevent out-of-home placement or to return home children who are in out-of-home placement. Services may include teaching through psychoeducation, coaching, modeling and reinforcement of some of the following: home and life management skills, health and nutrition, safe sleep practices, and appropriate parenting that meets the specific needs the needs of the children in their home as well as the direct provision of concrete services and linking to community resources. This position requires a flexible work schedule, which may include weekends, evenings, and/or holidays.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Responsibilities associated with this job will change from time to time according to the Agency's needs or contract. More specifically, the incumbent may be required to perform additional and/or different responsibilities from those described below:

• Provides home or community-based education and support for families through the use of an evidence based modality or practice consistent with the modality as required by contract.
• Accepts and manages referrals from DHHS to maintain yearly number of units.
• Completes assessments utilizing evidenced based inventories as required.
• Prepares written reports according to prescribed format and timelines to maintain contract compliance and/or model fidelity.
• Completes all case documentation in accordance within established timelines and are available upon request.
• Communicates with the referring worker regularly through face to face contact, telephone contact, written reports and attendance at Family Team Meetings as requested and/or required.
• Collaborates with the legal system and provides Court testimony if needed.
• Works flexible schedule with non-traditional hours (evenings, weekends, holidays) to accommodate family schedule.
• Transports clients as needed.
• Attends Agency mandated trainings and other program trainings as required.
• Attends required unit meetings and activities.
• Collaborates with community organizations to access goods and services for clients.
• This position will be knowledgeable about and actively support 1) culturally competent, recovery-based practices; 2) person-centered planning as a shared decision making process with the individual, who defines his/her own life goals and is assisted in developing a unique path toward those goals; and 3) a trauma informed culture to aid individuals in their recovery process.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must have excellent clinical and engagement skills
• Strong communication skills and ability to understand, motivate and/or influence people and an awareness of the importance of cultural difference within service population.
• Must present a professional appearance and a friendly manner
• Must be dependable and punctual
• Be courteous and personable when dealing with the public
• Be self-directed, willing to take initiative, organized and detail-oriented
• Respect and maintain confidentiality of those served by Family & Children Services
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office including Word and Excel
• Must be able to transport clients in employee provided vehicle.
• Must be able to visually assess the safety of the environment and the physical well-being of children in the home.
• Must be able to climb stairs and enter home environments that may be cluttered or present other physical obstacles.
• Must be able to enter homes where there may be exposure to dust, cigarette smoke, pet dander, and other typical household conditions including potential exposure to pests such as lice, bedbugs, and roaches.
• Must be knowledgeable about and actively support:
  • Culturally competent, recovery-based practices;
  • Person-centered planning as a shared decision making process with the individual who defines his/her own life goals and is assisted in developing a unique path toward those goals;
  • A trauma informed culture to aid individuals in their recovery process.
• Ability to understand, demonstrate and apply the Agency's workplace values:
  • Respect
  • Integrity
  • Service
  • Empowerment

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Location:Clients will be residents of Van Buren County and surrounding counties which may include Cass, St. Joseph, Cass, etc. The home office location for this position is Kalamazoo with occasional work from home opportunities.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE--Required

• Bachelor's degree in a Social Work or related Human Services field from an accredited institution.

• Experience working with diverse economic and cultural populations.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE--Preferred

• Experience working with families is highly preferred.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Valid Michigan Driver's License and driving record that complies with Agency policy.

Family & Children Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer