Family Support Worker

Position: Family Support Worker

Supervisor: Asst. Program Director

Overview: With funding from the NYS Office of Children & Family Services, University Settlement implements a Healthy Families Program in the 10009, 10029 and 10035 zip codes. University Settlement Healthy Families strengthens parents' skills and parent-child relationships primarily through individualized home visits that start during pregnancy and continue until the child enters school. Home visits are supplemented by innovative and holistic approaches to well-being, including yoga, infant massage, and other parent-child group activities. Our aim is to decrease parental stress, strengthen family relationships, increase self confidence and parenting skills, and integrate a healthy focus on child development within family life. The Family Support Worker is responsible for initiating and maintaining a regular and sustainable supportive relationship with at-risk families via home based services.

Responsibilities:

• Through home visits, engage families and develop relationships based on a strengths-based model. • Introduce and lead parent-child activities that support healthy attachment and foster optimal child development. • Provide daily support and crisis management skills to families. • Partnering with families, create a plan with attainable goals to enhance parent and child well-being. • Co-facilitate community-based parent-child groups. • Maintain thorough written records of home visits, family goals, and all required documentation. • Work collaboratively with community resources and advocate for families when necessary. • Maintain a caseload consistent with program requirements and meet established Healthy Families New York performance targets. • Participate in staff meetings, case conferences, training seminars and individual supervisory meetings.

Qualifications:

• High School diploma or GED required; Bachelor's degree preferred • Bilingual English/Spanish skills required • One year experience in Early Childhood programs, home visiting, parent education, or related field • Some experience with and strong commitment to young children and their families required (this may include one's own children) • Understanding of and commitment to community- and strengths-based work • Interest in learning innovative, family-centered treatment strategies; commitment to ongoing professional development • Ability to relate to culturally diverse families from a strengths-based, family centered model, including in diverse home environments • Capacity to foster a supportive environment for families, and function effectively during stressful situations • Sensitivity to the needs of culturally diverse communities and families • Capacity to function as a member of an interdisciplinary team • Must be willing to travel via public transportation throughout Manhattan

Hours: 35 hrs per week, with at least 2 evenings, up to 7:00pm, required

Salary: High 20s to low 30s (commensurate with experience) plus generous benefits package

University Settlement is an Equal Opportunity Employer