Family Service Worker

Family Service Worker

The Family Service Worker, in collaboration with teachers, will provide services to families in the Head Start Center Based program. In partnership with parents, the Family Worker develops mutually trusting relationships, acts as an advocate for families, and provides support services as needed. The Family Service Worker will assist families in determining their needs and in identifying and developing goals to meet those needs.

Essential Functions:

• Provide case management services to families in the EHS-HS program.
• Work collaboratively with families and other community agencies to provide a full system of care to meet the service needs of the family.
• Assess services the family is receiving and any need for additional services and makes appropriate referrals.
• Assure the family can access resources and that appropriate follow up is made.
• Coordinate services for families by arranging case conferences with specialists, coordinators, and other field staff and community agencies.
• Conduct outreach activities to recruit prospective families.
• Compile and maintain family case records of services provided.
• Maintain confidentiality as required by law and policy.
• In partnership with parents, plan and facilitate monthly parenting meetings.
• Assist with parenting classes and with providing parenting information for individual families as needed.
• Provide crisis intervention as needed and appropriate.
• Maintain a working knowledge of community resources and current trends in social services.
• Build liaisons with other community agencies that will ensure cooperation, coordination, and information sharing.
• Work collaboratively with staff to provide comprehensive, integrated services for families.
• Initiate, or assist staff to make, child abuse reports, as necessary.
• Attend meetings, trainings, and individual case staffing.
• Attend community meetings where HS/EHS representation is appropriate.

Leadership Competencies:

• Engaging Community: Builds bridges with others in the community to ensure the Y\'s work is community-focused and welcoming of all, providing community benefit.
• Communication & Influence: Listens and expresses self effectively and in a way that engages, inspires, and builds commitment to the Y\'s cause.
• Inclusion: Values all people for their unique talents and takes an active role in promoting practices that support diversity, inclusion, and global work, as well as cultural competence.
• Innovation: Creates and implements new and relevant approaches and activities that improve and expand the Y\'s work and impact in the community.
• Developing Self & Others: Develops self and supports others (e.g., staff, volunteers, members, program participants), both formally and informally, to achieve their highest potential.

Qualifications:

• Education: Associates Degree in social work, psychology, child development.
• Experience: One-year case management or home visiting experience or working with at-risk families. Experience communicating effectively, both verbally and in writing. Experience with record keeping including progress notes and maintenance of required documentation, knowledge of Child Plus preferred. Experience working with a low income, ethnically and culturally diverse population. Experience working effectively as a member of a team. Bilingual in Spanish or Portuguese language experience preferred.
• Additional Requirements: Must provide evidence of reliable, insured transportation available for travel during working hours. Driver must provide evidence of a valid driver\'s license and good driving record. Driver must provide evidence of current automobile liability insurance.