This person will provide fathers and/or co-parents with strength-based, family-centered home visiting services to strengthen and support their relationships with their children, families and communities.  Facilitates trainings, groups and other enrichment activities surrounding fatherhood engagement. Works collaboratively with Family Support staff and other community entities to increase fatherhood engagement.  Reports to assigned Program Coordinator.

Job Responsibilities:

• Adheres to and supports the implementation of all ISBE, MIECHV, and/or IDHS standards, program philosophy, and the policies and procedures of Children’s Home Association of IL
• Supports families who may have witnessed or experienced trauma, domestic violence, mental health, homelessness and/or substance abuse. When needed, develops a safety plan for family well-being.
• Follows up on participant referrals received and partners with Outreach Specialist on intake for each qualifying referral which may occur in a home, shelter or through Coordinated Intake.
• Gives input and implements chosen curriculum.
• Establishes trusting and nurturing relationships with participants.
• Completes assessments with families to determine child/family needs, according to specified timelines.
• Administers developmental screenings on children and in partnership with families, as needed. Shares screening results with families and, when appropriate, supports linkages and referrals based on results.
• Provides observations of parent-child interactions, careful listening, and empathic responses and engages participants in reflection on the developing parent-child relationship.
• Assists families in establishing goals and creating a plan for accomplishment of those goals including resource identification.
• Assists participants to expand their support systems by providing community networking/advocacy for and with family members; provides information and assistance in locating and accessing community resources that support family well-being and ensures successful linkages to needed services such as mental health, social service supports, health care, etc.
• Plans and facilitates a father/co-parent focused group that may include parent education topics, expanding social support system and socialization/interaction of children and families.May plan and facilitate other group interactions, such as community resource events or family fun events as determined by program model.
• Promotes program through community presentations and networking.
• Completes required documentation, paperwork and data entry accurately and within designated timelines.
• Participates in administrative and reflective supervision and staff meetings as required by the program.
• Participates in family staffing's with team to coordinate services.
• Attends required professional development trainings.
• Serves on local fatherhood coalition, other internal committees and special events as required.
• Encourages and assists fathers and co-parents to become and/or remain actively involved in program services and activities. Open communication with those persons directly involved with the family
  
  

Job Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree preferred; a degree in social work, psychology, early childhood, child development or other closely related field may be required depending on funder/contract/program requirements.
• At least one year experience working with families with children 0-5 years of age required.
• Must be proficient in speaking, reading and writing in English.
• Knowledge of child growth/development and parent-child relationships.
• Ability to relate to diverse families using trauma-informed practices and a strength-based model.
• Demonstrates motivation and the ability to learn and practice supportive skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain personal/programmatic boundaries with clients and staff, while providing supporting services.
• Ability to manage client and program information in a confidential manner.
• Values and is comfortable advocating for nurturing, nonviolent discipline of children.
• Experience in working with culturally diverse communities and families with the ability to be culturally sensitive and appropriate; demonstrates sensitivity and responsiveness to cultural differences within the client and staff population.
• Demonstrates excellent oral and written communication skills. Speaks clearly and demonstrates the ability to communicate and present information to varying audiences and adjusts information as necessary. Must demonstrate effective public speaking and presentation skills.
• Must be able to maintain flexible work schedule that may include occasional evenings/weekends.
• Demonstrates skills to work independently, follow-through on assigned tasks, and complete multiple projects.
• Knowledge of and ability to implement parent education strategies and activities.
• Demonstrates skills in working with teams, collaboration and leadership.
• Demonstrates effective organizational skills and the ability to work flexibly under demanding timelines.
• Demonstrates skills in relating to individual in crisis.
• Knowledge of maternal-infant health and concepts of child abuse and neglect.
• Must be competent with technology such as Microsoft office products and develop competency with various online data systems used by the program model.
• Demonstrates respect and acceptance of diverse individuals and community served by, working in partnership with or employed by Children’s Home including but not limited to race, gender, ethnicity, social-economic status, and LGBTQ populations.
• Must have a reliable vehicle, valid driver’s license and auto insurance when the position requires an employee to operate a motor vehicle in connection with executing the position’s responsibilities, which include driving to and from any agency function.

Benefits & Pay:

• PTO (paid-time-off) accrual 3 weeks first year (full-time)
• 10 paid holidays
• Sick Leave accrual 12 days per year (full-time)
• Medical, vision, and dental insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• 401K with company match
• Company paid life insurance, STD and LTD
• Supplemental life insurance