Family Support Specialist for In-Home Visiting program

About the role

The Team Region A Partnership for Children improves the quality of life for young children and families in western North Carolina by fostering healthy family systems, promoting inclusion, and building resilient communities. We are a group of early childhood professionals that support families and children in the seven western-most counties of North Carolina and the Qualla Boundary. We believe families are experts in determining what is best for their child as they grow and develop, according to their individual circumstances. We strive to hear what families want and need to meet the goals they develop to improve the quality of life for their children. We partner with families in working toward achieving their specific goals. We engage with families to advocate for greater collaboration among communities to ensure that each child has the support and encouragement needed to achieve his or her full potential.

The Region A Partnership for Children is hiring a full-time Family Support Specialist position for the Parents as Teachers (PAT) home visiting program in our region. The PAT Parent Educator will deliver the home visiting program in partnership with families with children aged prenatal to five in Jackson, Macon, Swain and Graham Counties. The Parents as Teachers program provides family support and developmental information through home visits, group support meetings and referral to other providers. PAT Educators have the flexibility of traveling to family homes, spending time in the Region A Partnership for Children’s offices and attending virtual and in-person meetings.

Responsibilities

• Complete PAT Foundational and Implementation training before delivering PAT services
• Complete an initial and annual family-centered assessment with each family
• Develop, monitor, and review goals with each family
• Provide personal visits focused on parent-child interaction, development-centered parenting, and family well-being (including planning, participating in, and documenting the visit)
• Use the PAT Foundational Curriculum to share research-based information with families
• Provide group connections to give families an opportunity to build social connections with each other, engage in parent-child interaction activities, and increase their knowledge of ways to support children’s development
• Complete at least an initial and annual developmental screening and health review for each enrolled child
• Connect families to resources that help them reach their goals and address their needs
• Help parents and children transition to other services as needed, to preschool, or to kindergarten
• Provide PAT services for 18‑20 families annually
• Outreach and Recruitment: Provide resource and referral information to all participating PAT families and potential PAT families. Publicize the PAT program in the community and assist other PAT educators with maintaining a current waiting list. Collaborate with other RAPC staff and programs to promote PAT and to provide other support services for participating PAT families. Collaborate with community groups in addressing the needs of young children and their parents.
• Data Collection and Planning: Maintain and submit, in a timely manner, all required family and program documentation. Organize and inventory supplies/materials. Participate in 2.5 hours of reflective supervision, monthly. Participate in 2.5 hours of staff meetings monthly. Obtain competency‑based professional development and renew certification annually. Participate in continuous quality improvement. Participate in monthly local Smart Start/Local Interagency Coordinating Council Team meetings. Participate in Region A Partnership for Children Parents as Teachers Affiliate meetings, as requested. Provide all required documents for evaluation and participate in all required monitoring activities as required by the Region A Partnership for Children. Perform other duties as requested by the Executive Director and Project Manager to support the Mission of the RAPC.

Qualifications

• BA in early childhood education, social work, health, psychology, or a related field
• At least two years of experience working with families within the community
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent organizational and record keeping skills
• Ability to work independently and be self‑motivated
• Ability to establish rapport with families and empower them by building on their strengths
• Willingness to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends, including travel within the service county(ies) to meet schedules of enrolled families
• Ability to build and maintain productive relationships with staff, agencies and businesses, based on equality and respect
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office, web browser and email

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Retirement contributions
• Paid time off
• Paid holidays
• Mileage reimbursement for travel

Pay

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