Family Support Worker

Job Overview

This position is responsible for providing information and educational resources to Family Members, providing referrals to community resources, staffing a full-time Family Resource Center, and representing the program at various meetings in the community.

Minimum Education Required

High School Diploma/GED

Responsibilities

• Provide information and educational resources to Family Members in addition to providing referrals to community resources.
• Host Parent and Youth Support groups.
• Assist the family and community in understanding the scope and services of the program.
• Ensure youth and family voice and choice is implemented in service delivery.
• Become familiar with systemic issues facing individuals and families and provide ongoing monitoring of any safety concerns.
• Develop creative and proactive approaches to individual and families' crisis patterns and help address their problems before they develop into crises.
• Utilize basic knowledge of child-serving systems and processes (DCF, DYS, DMH, EEC, etc.); IEP and special education information; CRA/Juvenile court issues.
• Develop the FRC calendar.
• Recruit and provide support to volunteers who shall lead specialized support groups as needed.
• Completion of progress notes, ancillary individual and family documentation in electronic record and submission of any necessary reports to supervisor.
• Responsible for upkeep and organization of individual and family records.
• Must meet and follow all team and agency policy and procedures.
• Attend all conferences, meetings, supervisions and trainings necessary for quality job performance.
• Present cases for review both in a team setting and as part of utilization review with contractors.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in human service field and six (6) months experience working with the target population; or navigating any of the child and family serving systems and teaching family members who are involved with the child and family serving systems; OR
• Associate's degree in human service field and one (1) year of experience working with the target population; or navigating any of the child and family serving systems and teaching family members who are involved with the child and family serving systems; OR
• High school diploma or GED and a minimum of one (1) year of experience working with the target population; or navigating any of the child and family serving systems and teaching family members who are involved with the child and family serving systems.
• Be an integral member of the Family Resource Center team.
• Follow the FRC's mission of providing 1) community-based, culturally-competent programs that provide evidence-based parent education programs, youth and parent support groups, early childhood services, information and referral, educational support, cultural events, and other opportunities for families whose children range in age from birth to age 18, and 2) specialized services for Children Requiring Assistance (CRA) and their families (as defined in Chapter 240, the landmark Child in Need of Services reform law which includes runaways, truants, children having significant problems at home and at school, and sexually exploited youth) including standardized intake, screening, assessment, support planning, onsite services at the FRC, and referrals through a network of service providers affiliated with the FRCs.
• Form meaningful positive relationships with individuals and families served through the agency.
• Maintain appropriate boundaries with individuals, families and collaterals.
• Demonstrate flexibility, creativity and comfort in working with individuals and families with a broad range of diagnoses and emotional issues.
• Demonstrate ability to work as a team with other program staff (as well as independently) in order to aid in the delivery of therapeutically indicated approaches to all individual and family/staff interactions.
• Clearly articulate, formulate and document in writing progress toward treatment goals and risk factors.
• Demonstrate strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Develop working relationships with collateral resources and community service providers.
• Work flexible hours which will include evenings and weekends as needed.
• Be aware of diverse cultures and belief systems; willing to be flexible and examine one's own cultural biases; and ensure that work with youth/family members and community representatives is done within a cultural context.
• Position requires the individual to exhibit flexibility and independence of work performance and demonstrate good relational skills and judgment; organizational skills and patience in the face of a changing work environment and varied work responsibilities; and self-awareness and ability to process issues that arise from the stressful nature of the individual and family work.
• Lived experience (personal or familial) with mental health system beneficial
• Valid driver's license, reliable transportation and proof of auto insurance
• Must travel within community
• Must have access to personal cell phone
• Must become First Aid/CPR certified

• Advocates is committed to cultivating a diverse and welcoming community where everyone feels respected and valued. Advocates fosters a culture of inclusion that celebrates and promotes diversity along multiple dimensions, including race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, partnered status, age, national origin, socioeconomic status, religion, ability, culture, and experience.