Family Support Worker

Family Support Worker
POSITION TITLE:
Family Support Worker
DEPARTMENT: CentroNía Institute
SUPERVISOR: Educational Coordinator and Educational Director
LOCATION: Washington, DC
Primary Purpose of the Job: To establish respectful partnership with families, support families effort
to reach their goals, to provide opportunities for children and families to participate in family literacy
services; coordinate and integrate EHS services in order to enhance effectiveness; support families in
accessing other community resources and assist families in crisis.
Essential Duties:
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Counsel individuals, groups, families, or communities regarding issues including mental health,
poverty, unemployment, substance abuse, physical abuse, rehabilitation, social adjustment, child
care, or medical care.
Interview clients individually, in families, or in groups, assessing their situations, capabilities, and
problems, to determine what services are required to meet their needs.
Provide, find, or arrange for support services, such as child care, homemaker service, prenatal
care, substance abuse treatment, job training, counseling, or parenting classes, to prevent more
serious problems from developing.
Serve as liaisons between students, homes, schools, family services, doctors, and other contacts,
to help children who face problems such as disabilities, abuse, or poverty.
Maintain case history records and prepare reports.
Collect supplementary information needed to assist client, such as employment records, medical
records or school reports.
Consult with parents, teachers, and other school personnel to determine causes of problems
such as truancy and misbehavior, and to implement solutions.
Conduct social/community research.
Serve on policymaking committees, assist in community development, and assist client groups by
lobbying for solutions to problems.
Recommend temporary foster care and advise foster or adoptive parents.
Coordinate group counseling sessions that provide support in such areas as grief, stress, or
chemical dependency.
Evaluate personal characteristics and home conditions of foster home or adoption applicants.
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Determine clients' eligibility for financial assistance.
Administer welfare programs.
Work in child and adolescent residential institutions.
Assist families in updating their Emergency Contact Forms
Assist families in completing their Family Partnership Agreement
o Family Goals Setting
o Family Action Plan
§ Steps
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Conduct Family Assessments
Coordinate Parent Trainings and Activities
Complete Family Satisfaction surveys twice a year
Coordinate volunteer services for families and community
Required Core Competencies:
1. Experience in an Early Head Start or other child development program serving low income children
and families is highly desired.
2. Demonstrate continual learning, and ability to take initiative.
3. Practice professional and effective interpersonal communication skills.
4. Demonstrate ability to manage a budget
5. Prior experience managing the process of program evaluation
6. Able to work independently or with others in a team approach.
7. Demonstrate ability for problem solving.
8. Ethical and professional conduct that enables the building of a respectful, trusting and collaborative
relationship with the staff
9. Culturally sensitive and able to relate well to both children and adults.
10. Commitment to a strength-based approach in the development of children, youth, families and
community.
11. Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills in order to help build the capacity of families to
address critical issues both at home and in the community.
12. Knowledgeable of CPR and First Aid and Child Abuse and Neglect
13. Maintains confidentiality regarding clients served and case load related issues.
14. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain strategic partnerships on behalf of CentroNía/EHS
with community partner organizations.
Desired Attributes:
1. Strong commitment to Family members’ learning and continued social development.
2. Commitment to growth through attendance to professional development activities.
3. Demonstrate flexibility in regards to schedules, sharing of tasks, and changes in the routines and
plans.
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Ability to contribute new ideas and diverse methods of problem solving to the group.
Dependability, patience and honesty.
Positive attitude towards to work
Respectful of diversity and open minded.
Helpful to others and able to work cooperatively.
Availability for evening and weekend meetings on a monthly basis or as needed.
Bilingualism (Spanish/English) preferred, with strong oral and written communication skills.
Required Experience:
Must have a Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of five years of relevant work experience or a Master’s
degree and 3 years of work experience, of which at least two must have been in a community based
setting. Demonstrated proficiency and ability to utilize Microsoft Office products. Bilingualism
(English/Spanish) highly desired. Experience in an Early Head Start or other child development program
serving low income children and families is highly desired.
Required Education:
Bachelor’s, or preferably, a Master’s Degree from accredited college or university with major in Social
Work or related professional discipline with an emphasis on supporting and addressing needs of families
and community, including qualifying coursework in social work.
Required Licenses:
Valid DC, MD or VA Driver’s license. Must have the required automobile insurance coverage
Working Conditions:
Office located within a community based organization with a safe, stable and healthy environment.
CentroNía has a very diverse staff, and Spanish/English bilingualism is essential to conduct business and
serve clients.
Other Requirements:
1. Local and some out of area travel required.
2. Bilingual English/ Spanish is strongly preferred.
To Apply:
Please submit your resume and cover letter; indicating the position you are applying to:
CentroNía
Attn: Human Resources
1420 Columbia Road, NW,
Washington, DC 20009
centroniajobs@centronia.org
Fax (202) 745-0154
“Educating children and strengthening families, in a bilingual, multicultural community.”
CentroNía is an equal opportunity employer.