Family Support Specialist - Bilingual Preferred

Summary

Responsible and accountable to provide eligible families the Healthy Families America (Healthy Opportunities for Parents to Experience Success – HOPES) program under the supervision of HOPES Program Manager/Supervisor.  Activities include provision of in-home visits, communication with families, hospital staff, physicians and community agency partners, family education, family assessment, development of family goal plan, assessment of infant and child development, linking families to community services, and collection of family data.  Bilingual skills beneficial. Reports directly to the HOPES Program Manager/Supervisor.

Essential Functions

• Provide Healthy Families America/HOPES program information to client families, physicians and community agency partners.
• Provide in-home visitation services to eligible families.
• Develop a family goal plan in consultation of the family that meets family identified needs and goals.
• Provide reproductive health education to include family planning options, community reproductive health services, birth control options, including emergency contraception services.
• Educate families on a variety of topics such as child development, nutrition, parenting, health and wellness, education, employment, housing, child care options, transportation and community resources.
• Provide support and anticipatory guidance to families.
• Advocate for and assist families to reduce barriers to accessing community programs and services.
• Report cases of suspected abuse or neglect of children and adults to the proper authorities in accordance with SDHD policy and state law.
• Provide education to individuals, families and community groups that is tailored to their age, developmental status, disability, unique needs, lifestyle, cultural and socio-economic situation.
• Represent the Family and Community Health Division by serving on Health Department and community agency committees and other groups providing information about public health services and participate in the assessment of community needs to establish or revise public health programs, policies and procedures. Work with community partners to improve/expand services available.
• Educate clients and families on their rights as related to privacy of their information.
• Compile required data, complete required division and programmatic documentation, complete reports and assist with completion of programmatic reports.
• Contribute to a work environment that fosters ongoing educational experiences regarding public health practice for colleagues, other health-related students, healthcare professionals and members of the community.
• Enter demographic and program-specific data into designated databases or documents.
• Maintain records and documents according to program requirements.
• Knowledge of Healthy Families America program, including eligibility and screening criteria.
• Experience working with or providing services to children and families.
• Knowledge of infant and child growth and developmental milestones.
• Knowledge of community resources and basic information in health and human services.
• Knowledge of current professional practice and research findings.
• Ability to establish trusting relationships with families.
• Acceptance of individual beliefs, cultures and differences in families.
• Ability to be open to reflective practice.  (Awareness for introspection, communicates awareness of self in relation to others, and recognizes value to supervision.)

Essential Knowledge, Experience, and Ability

• High School Diploma or GED with 2 years of coursework in Early Childhood, Social Work or Human Services preferred by not required.
• Minimum of two years of experience required in a health, social work or human services setting working with or providing services to children and families.
• Bilingual skills (Spanish and English) both oral and written preferred.
• Training in Healthy Families America program or be willing to attend training.
• Mandatory Child and Adult Abuse Reporter Certificate or be willing to obtain.
• CPR Certification required or be willing to attend training.
• Must have valid driver's license, reliable transportation and ability to obtain car insurance at agency-specified liability level.

Essential Education, Certification, and/or Licenses

A completed County Application form, a resume and a copy of diploma or transcripts are required. Deadline for receipt of applications shall be:  4:30 p.m., Tuesday, November 12, 2024 or until filled.

Woodbury County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will consider reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the Employer.