Home Visitor-DFSS PI

Description

SGA provides a wide range of social services in some of Chicago's most challenged and consistently underserved communities, and creates long-term and community-wide change.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

· Recruit and maintain a caseload of up to 24 children/pregnant mothers.

· Conduct biweekly (weekly if needed) visits and submit weekly schedules.

· Work jointly with parents to obtain the necessary documentation needed to complete intake and other program requirements.

· Assist in maintaining, at minimum, 100% enrollment rate throughout the program year utilizing various outreach and recruitment strategies. 

· Complete, update, and maintain all required Parent as Teacher (PAT), DFSS, and program/agency forms.

· Work jointly with parents to develop home visit and activity plans based on each child’s assessment and identified family needs.

· Collaborate with the team, plan and facilitate monthly parent and child activities for Group Connections.

· Maintain families' engagement. Encourage parent participation in literacy activities, parent workshops, group connections, and other events or trainings.  

· Responsible for data entry into the program's data system and maintaining all required documentation in child’s/pregnant mother’s binders; keeping all information confidential.

· Complete developmental assessments/screenings and family needs assessment with families as needed to meet program’s requirements.

· Complete required Ages and Stages Questionnaire screenings to identify children with special needs and make the necessary referrals to appropriate staff.

· Develops, with parent input, an individualized family support plan.

· Serve as an advocate for families and as a liaison between families, the program, and the larger community.

· Work in collaboration with other staff for the recruitment and enrollment of eligible families.

· Collaborates with team to create new MOU’s/Partnerships with agencies/organizations that provide services to pregnant women, children, and their families.

· Maintains communication with supervisor and agency staff. 

· Participate in ongoing training and staff development provided by SGA, Program Director, other consultants, workshops and conferences.

· Attend regularly scheduled team and agency staff meetings/trainings.

· Complete other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Education:

· Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Child Development or related field.

Experience:

· Minimum of 3-5 years of experience working with young children ages 0-3 years old and/or parents.

Other Requirements:

· Must successfully complete Parents as Teachers Model Certification training.

· Must be familiar with practices that demonstrate sensitivity to cultural diversity. Ability to communicate and cooperate with diverse families, various professionals, and community groups. 

· Must be able to make home visits to present, prospective, and former clients in the clients’ own home.

· Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.  

· Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers, employees, or the organization.

· Exercises discretion and independent judgment in executing tasks.

· Must demonstrate the ability to establish helping relationships with families of varying educational, experiential, and socio-economic backgrounds and handle emergency and crisis situations.

· Valid driver’s license, car insurance, and access to automobile.  

· Bilingual preferred (Spanish)

KEY COMPETENCIES:

· Competent in Microsoft Office tools and inputting services in an online database.

· Home Visitors must receive training in education, nutrition, and other topics relevant for the position, and must plan and implement appropriate family/parent educational activities and function as a member of the program team.  

· Schedule may be flexible and may include some evenings and weekends.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

· Must be able to remain stationary 50% of the time.

· Must be able to frequently move inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc. 

· Must be able to transport oneself to and from home visits.

· Occasionally ascends/descends stairs.

· Constantly positions oneself to assist children during activities.

· Frequently moves desks, chairs, tables, easels, and children's toys. 

· At times may be required to lift up to 25 lbs. for various classroom and event needs.

· At times may be required to transport donations to clients based on need. 

· Frequently moves in outdoor weather conditions. 

FULL-TIME BENEFITS ELIGIBLE 

BENEFITS 

Eligible employees receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance; employer-paid life insurance; short- and long-term disability coverage; a 403(b) retirement savings plan; paid vacation, sick leave, personal days, and holidays; an Employee Assistance Program; Benefits are provided in accordance with plan documents and organizational policies, and eligibility may vary based on employment status and scheduled hours. 

Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time; this description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions, it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. This job description is subject to change at any time.

An Equal Opportunity Employer