Family Support Specialist

About the role

Mission Marillac St. Vincent Family Services strengthens, empowers, and gives voice to those in need – in the Vincentian spirit of service – through education and comprehensive programs to build vibrant communities in Chicago.

Responsibilities

• Maintains a caseload of 36 families in the Birth-Three program, as well as, support Pre-K and School-Age classrooms and families.
• Establish and maintain relationships with families in an effort to enhance the child’s social & emotional development, family functioning and their child care experience.
• Provide counseling and case management services to parents and families including but not limited to child care issues, special needs services, behavior management, homelessness, unemployment, neglect/abuse, assistance with housing, emergency food needs and clothing.
• Respond to Child Development referrals for Family Support Services.
• Communicate with Child Development staff on outcomes of referrals as appropriate. Look at social services to share information with staff.
• Conduct regular classroom observations. Consult with Child Development staff on individual cases regarding management of behavior problems within the classroom (e.g. social, behavioral, developmental problems, abuse, etc.).
• Collaborate with nurse, teachers, Infant toddler specialists, and parents to advocate for needs of the child(ren).
• Develop behavior management plans/contracts. Schedule and facilitate meetings with families to discuss action plans, boundaries, consequences, goals etc. and discuss plans with Infant Toddler Specialist (ITS).
• Facilitate child staffings when necessary. Work with Child Development supervisors to schedule and facilitate monthly classroom “check in” meetings.
• Initiate referrals and linkages to community agencies, including Chicago Public Schools and Early Intervention. Assist families in obtaining appropriate and timely services for special needs including IEP and IFSPs. Coordinate referrals for internal services (speech therapy, art therapy, social skills groups) on-site for children enrolled in child care and be ready to go to the next steps, if necessary if the parent does not comply.
• Facilitate annual training for Child Development staff to provide education on the areas where there should be Family Support Services involvement and any special topics as needed.
• Coordinate monthly parent support groups based on need throughout the school year.
• Aid families who lose eligibility for the IDHS Child Care Assistance Program to either return to work, or otherwise meet requirements to maintain their services.
• Make DCFS hotline calls when appropriate. Coordinate with DCFS child welfare workers.
• Maintain professional, clinical, up to date documentation, including case notes, client goals and treatment plans, of all work completed with children, families, collateral contacts and Child Development staff.
• Develop and manage collaborative relationships with community agencies, school services, onsite service providers, and consultants.
• May provide other related social service duties to meet Center needs as requested, including but not limited to holiday gift distribution, special events for Child Development families, parent/family education & support workshops, etc.
• May provide supervision to Social Work Intern(s), when necessary.
• Attends team meetings and contributes to dialog, program planning, and supports others and appropriately adapts behavior in response to team needs.
• Work with Child Development staff to ensure the safety and well-being of children.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work (BSW), Human Services or related field required.
• Minimum of 2 years of social work experience with child welfare, families with young children or children with special needs.
• Early Headstart/Headstart experience preferred.
• Knowledge of child development, case management and therapeutic skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, verbal and written.
• Good listening and analytical problem-solving skills.
• Strong time management skills.
• Ability to multi-task and establish priorities.
• Ability to work collaboratively as a team member.
• Demonstrated computer literacy.
• Language Ability to read and speak English proficiently. Bilingual is a plus.

Skills

• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience with data entry and record-keeping systems.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.

Benefits

Not specified.

Pay

Not specified.

Schedule

Not specified.