The primary goal of the New Parent Support Program is to enhance the lives of infants, toddlers, children, and parents; promote safety, health, and well-being; and help families thrive by empowering parents with information to meet the challenges of parenthood while maintaining a military lifestyle. The program offers a variety of services, including providing information about prenatal health, infant care, nursing/breastfeeding, early child development, bonding with your baby, safe sleep environments, shaken baby syndrome (abusive head trauma), parenting education and more. The program helps military parents, including expectant parents, provide a nurturing environment for their children. Parenthood is like any other job; there's a lot of learning at first no matter if it is your first child or not.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Identify and report suspected child abuse and neglect, domestic abuse, and Problematic Sexual Behavior in Children and Youth (PSB-CY).
- Conduct crisis intervention and coordinator referrals for services.
- Educate installation personnel on the most effective responses and resources for domestic abuse, child abuse and neglect, and Problematic Sexual Behavior in Children and Youth (PSB-CY) on behalf of victims and at-risk family members.
- Educate New Parents and care givers on shaken baby syndrome, sudden unexplained infant death, and safe sleeping environments.
- Educate and provide support for postpartum depression and other mental health issues impacting maternal and paternal child health.
- Educate parents and care providers on the role of attachment in the social emotional development of children and strategies for enhancing bonding and attachment.
- Educate parents and care providers on child development milestones and referral procedures for indicators of special needs or developmental delays.
- Assess and strengthen adaptation to parenthood.
- Assess and strengthen parental capacity for problem-solving, building and sustaining trusting relationships, and seeking help.
- Promote developmentally appropriate parenting skills and disciplinary techniques, and parent and child communication skills.
- Facilitate informal and formal community networks to build positive relationships and reduce social isolation.
- Utilize community-based services and formal and informal community networks to provide concrete support for families who may be in crisis.
- Apply strategies to engage and support the service member's role in childbearing especially during separations due to deployment and other military operations.
- Screen, access, address protective and risk factors associated with child abuse and neglect using a strengths-based family centered developmental approach.
- Bachelor's Degree in Nursing
- Current unrestricted license in the United States OR
- Master's Degree in Social Work or Marriage and Family Therapy
- Current, valid, unrestricted clinical license in the United States
- Must have at least two years of direct work experience in child abuse/domestic abuse, maternal/child health, or medical social work.
- Must have experience in identifying and reporting suspected child abuse/neglect, domestic abuse, and Problematic Sexual Behavior in Children and Youth (PSB-CY)
- Knowledge of military personnel automation systems and PC and possess good analytical skills, time management, and be an independent thinker.
- Prior military experience or experience with military programs.
- Must be familiar with U.S. Army rank structure and military culture.
- Ability to effectively communicate and interact with others, both in person and/or by telephone to conduct business.
- Travel will be required as needed.
- Experience with Microsoft Suite programs.
- You must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
- Must be able to pass a background check.
- Must be able to read, write, and communicate fluently in English.
- Must have strong listening skills and strong organizational skills.
- Must possess a current and valid driver's license.