GOOD BEGINNINGS FAMILY SUPPORT SPECIALIST

CHAIL is a youth, family, and community focused 501(c)(3) organization with multiple locations and 450 staff, located in Peoria, IL. For over 157 years CHAIL has been helping the kids and families who need it most.  Children’s Home Association of Illinois (CHAIL) is the largest social service agency for youth and families in downstate Illinois. The services we provide don’t just impact the individual child, they create positive ripple effects within their immediate family, neighborhood, community, and world by providing an opportunity to thrive. 

About the Position:

The Family Support Specialist provides support and education to families with young children to provide a range of culturally competent home-based services to meet them where they are. We help first- and second-time parents get ready to welcome a baby into their lives and continue to support and encourage these new families over the baby’s first three years. We offer a listening ear to parents, help them get organized with responsibilities and goals and connect to local resources. Best of all, we nurture the bond between parents and babies by playing together and talking about the baby’s growth and development! Full time 40 hours per week, flexible schedule. Work assignments may include occasional evening and weekend work may be required. 

Responsibilities:

• Effectively engage pregnant women and/or new mothers of children under three months old, identify their parenting strengths to build upon, and use motivational interviewing to help them stay engaged in the program and overcome barriers to participation in the program.
• The Family Support Specialist carries a caseload of 15 to 20 high risk/high needs prenatal women and/or women with children ages 0-3, conducts needs assessments, provides early child development curriculum to parents, and administers developmental assessments for children and depression screenings for mothers.
• Ensures visits provide client-centered, strengths-based information and support on topics such as bonding and attachment, positive parenting, child health and development, and a safe home environment.
• Develop trusting relationships while assisting to strengthen the parent child relationship.
• Supports families in establishing goals and plans for attaining these goals.
• Supports parents in learning how to appropriately respond to their child’s cues and coach parents on strategies that foster and facilitate their child’s emerging development.
• Identify and refer clients to other support services in the community; assists in making and attending health and human service appointments, including but not limited to, appointments related to educational and employment goals.
• Contact referrals in a timely manner and maintain visits to all clients per the program requirements.
• Complete all assessments and evaluation paperwork within program guidelines.
• Maintains client records and completes all necessary documentation with program guidelines in required database.
• Uses reflective capacity to continue strengthening skills in delivering this program.

• Social Service Degree Preferred. 
• Coursework and experience may be considered in lieu of degree.  Must be a high school diploma. 
• One to two years' experience working with families with young children.
• Coursework and experience may be considered in lieu of degree.
• Demonstrates education and/or knowledge of infant and child development.
• Demonstrated experience utilizing organizational, documentation and time management skills.
• Ability to establish trusting relationships.
• Acceptance of individual difference
• Supports multiculturalism by treating all people with dignity and respect and not engaging in discriminatory behavior.
• Driver's License and insured vehicle required.
• Ability to transport self and clients to various locations.
  

Benefits:

• 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
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Referral Program