At SCAN, we're on a mission to strengthen family foundations. Here you'll have the chance to support children and families as they navigate the complexities of family dynamics, striving to achieve stability and harmony within their family unit.
The Bilingual (Spanish/English) or (Burmese/English) Family Support Specialist (FSS) plays a pivotal role in nurturing and empowering families by fostering consistent, long-term connections. These engagements, scheduled at least weekly and extending up to three years, are predominantly conducted within the family's home environment, ensuring personalized attention and rapport building.
During these visits, lasting a minimum of one hour, the FSS implements interventions that are family-centered and strength-oriented. The primary focus is on establishing a foundation of trust, enhancing the parent-child relationship, and equipping parents with skills to cultivate a nurturing home environment. Additionally, interventions aim to bolster the family's support network and enhance problem-solving abilities, fostering self-advocacy for both parents and children.
Moreover, the FSS facilitates access to external resources by identifying and making referrals to supportive agencies, including healthcare services. Collaboratively, the FSS assists families in setting achievable goals and devising action plans, while also assessing the developmental milestones of the targeted child.
Given the dynamic nature of family dynamics, the FSS is equipped to handle multiple crises adeptly and is entrusted with maintaining meticulous records as stipulated by Healthy Families Indiana (HFI) and Healthy Families America (HFA) standards.
Essential Functions
Initiate services prenatally or within the first three months post-birth, offered voluntarily.
Conduct creative outreach to engage families.
Provide at least one-hour home visits (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly) aiming for 80% visit completion.
Report suspected cases of abuse, participate in training and meetings.
Facilitate child development activities during home visits.
Qualifications (Core Competencies, Skills And Experience)
Language Skills: Good oral and written communication skills.
Comprehension of and fluent communication in English is required.
Additional Comprehension of and fluent communication in Spanish OR Burmese.
Experience in providing services within a home-based model to overburdened communities and families.
Working knowledge of attachment theory, parent-infant relationships, and effective/nurturing parenting techniques.
An ability to establish trusting relationships
Acceptance of individual differences
Knowledge of infant and child development
Open to reflective practice
Willingness to allow new staff to shadow visits
Work Environment
This job operates in a professional office environment and in family’s homes. This role routinely uses standard office equipment.
Physical Demands/Expected Hours of Work & Travel
Navigate narrow hallways and small rooms with agility.
Endure strong odors.
Handle and lift objects weighing up to 60 pounds.
Read printed materials in low-light conditions.
Operate standard office equipment proficiently.
Assess and interpret various cues to detect signs of potential child abuse or neglect.
Utilize sight, hearing, and smell to assess environmental safety for children.
Possibly encounter infectious diseases, substances, and contaminated items (such as bed bugs, lice, etc.).
Encounter animals during home visits.
Travel within Allen County to clients' homes is expected; occasional out-of-county training may be required.
Some flexibility in hours is permitted, however staff must be available within the core hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and should meet the requirement of 40 hours per week to maintain full-time status. Evening and weekend availability may be necessary to accommodate families' needs.
Required Education And Experience
Minimum of a High School Diploma or equivalent.
Experience in working with or providing services to children 0-3, preferably developmentally appropriate and their parents.
Must be agreeable to attend 130 hours of Healthy Families Training within six months of their date of hire which may be out of town.
Experience and willingness to work with the culturally diverse populations present among our Target Population.
Preferred Education And Experience
Infant mental health endorsement level I or II preferred
Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services, Social Work, Early Education, Child Development or directly related field
Additional Eligibility Qualification
At least 21 years of age and able to operate a motor vehicle
Have a valid driver’s license, proof of insurance and continuous use of a reliable vehicle, where car seats can be installed, and multiple passengers can ride.
SCAN, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action employee
Seniority level
Entry level
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Other
Industries
Individual and Family Services
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