Bi-Lingual Healthy Families, Family Support Specialist (Haitian Creole Or Arabic)

Job Type
Full-time
Description
STATUS: Full Time with Benefits
PROGRAM(S):Healthy Families (Multnomah)
REPORTS TO: Home Visiting Assistant Manager and Healthy Families Supervisor
OPENING DATE: 11/03/2023
CLOSING DATE: Open until filled.
REQUIREMENTS: Bilingual in English and one of the following languages preferred: Haitian Creole or Arabic; background check; driver's license, insurance, and vehicle for home visits.
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
IRCO is seeking a compassionate Healthy FamiliesFamily Support Specialist to match the needs of the priorities set forth by the Early Learning Division. This position will use an infant/toddler mental health approach and provide parental support and education through the early years of a child's life so they can grow secure, safe, healthy, and more ready for school. The FSS will provide intensive home visiting services to families utilizing a strengths-based approach that recognizes and builds upon each family's unique strengths and resources while establishing trusting relationships with the families. During a home visit, the FSS will offer child development information and activities for promoting positive parent-child interaction, regular developmental screens, and referrals to community resources to support the child's healthy growth and development and enhance family functioning.
The Healthy Families Program is a relationship-based home visiting program that serves all families with newborn babies or expectant parents living in Multnomah County. Families are enrolled prenatally or before the babies are three months old and receive services until the child reaches the program age limit (three years).
We welcome all families, including immigrants and refugees-interpretation services are provided in some languages.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Home Visits (50%):

• Apply working knowledge of parent-child interaction, child development, and the dynamics of child abuse/neglect to help families improve parenting skills, reduce stress, and meet family needs.
• Observe, assess, monitor, and strengthen parent-child interaction using specific reflective strategies, activities, screening tools, and interventions.
• Perform regular development screenings to ensure that the child is on track with development while implementing the principles of cultural humility.
• Assess, guide, and provide concrete support to families to create a safe home environment.
• Set meaningful, objective, and measurable goals in partnership with the families and celebrate family successes.
• Coach life skills for promoting and enhancing family's problem-solving, self-sufficiency and advocacy skills.
• Provide guidance and education to families on topics related to child development, positive discipline, and self-care, utilizing evidence-based curriculum (s) and other resources that are culturally responsive, inclusive, and honors the diversity of the families" backgrounds, values, and beliefs.
• Support families in navigating the complex system of care, including healthcare, early childhood resources, and other social programs, to ensure that families have access to the resources and support they need (e.g., assisting families in making and attending medical and social services appointments; provide support with applications for accessing medical or financial services as needed).

Home Visit Preparation, Follow-up, Documentation, and Travel (40%):

• Establish individualized plans with goals, objectives, and activities to meet families' needs.
• Prepare curriculum, activities, referrals, etc., for the next home visit.
• Record weekly caregiver/child observations, activities, and demographic data as required.
• Act as a liaison and advocate between families and other community agencies.
• Complete monthly reports and gather and submit data as requested.

Supervision and Training (10%):

• Participate in 1.5-2 hours per week of reflective supervision with Healthy Families Supervisor.
• Attend regular staff meetings, team meetings, trainings, and other meetings as required.
• Special projects as assigned by the Healthy Families leadership team.
• Maintain regular communications with program and agency staff.
• As requested, attend community meetings and events as a program representative.

Requirements
JOB SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position is qualifying. This would typically include:

• An ability to establish trusting relationships with families who may be experiencing various challenges.
• High School Diploma/GED required, bachelor's degree in social work, Psychology or Early Childhood Education preferred.
• Experience working with or providing services to children and families.
• Knowledge of parenting education and assessment, infant and child development, nutrition, preventive health care, home visit techniques, and community resources
• Willing to engage in building reflective capacity (i.e., capacity for introspection, communicate awareness of self in relation to others, recognize value of supervision, etc.)
• Project a professional image through all in-person and phone interactions
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Programs
• Experience and willingness to work with culturally diverse populations while implementing the cultural humility principle.
• Acceptance of individual differences
• Infant mental health endorsement preferred.

KNOWLEDGE:
Education: High School or GED (1)
Experience: We will consider any combination of relevant work experience.
Additional Language Required: Bilingual required; Nepali, Rohingya, Haitian Creole, Oromo preferred.
Computers: All positions at IRCO require the use of a computer and experience working with Microsoft Products including but not limited to Microsoft 365, Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
In addition, this position specifically requires:
SKILLS:
Communication:
Regular communication inside the organization to exchange ideas and gather information (4)
Creativity:
Regular need for redesign of a single focus process or procedure is needed (3)
EFFORT:
Mental:
There is regular variation in tasks and the job holder must decide which tasks to complete as well as the order in which tasks are completed (3)
Physical:
Positions at this level require some physical efforts or manual labor such as lifting, carrying or constant movement. Positions with regular responsibility for driving are to be placed at least at this level (3)
RESPONSIBILITY:
Impact and Influence:
Positions at this level have a some need or ability to analyze problem or concepts or make decisions on the information. Positions at this level have some impact to and influence on organization operations, programs, expense or budgetary outcomes. (3)
Work Independence:
Positions at this level are expected to work under minimal supervision. Positions regularly contribute ideas, but decisions or actions that commit the organization or which are outside established policy/procedure are expected to be referred to others (4)
Planning:
Positions at this level must be able to foresee issues associated with own work and identify future needs for supplies, equipment, resources which would stall operations or activities. (2)
Supervision:
Positions at this level are not responsible for any supervisory functions or responsibilities, but may occasionally be asked to orient and/or train new employees or volunteers. (1)
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Environment:
There is a moderately low level of personal risk encountered. Job conditions are occasionally uncomfortable relative to noise, temperature, inside/outside work, or interactions with people experiencing crisis (3)
Schedule:
The work schedule occasionally fluctuates based on organization or customer needs. This fluctuation may occur with or without prior notice. (3)
Salary Description
$48,600- $50,000 Full-Time Equivalency