Must apply at https://www.ugajobsearch.com/postings/461965 or https://www.ugajobsearch.com/postings/461600

Please direct questions to the Columbus-Muscogee Extension. Phone (706) 225-4200. Email muscogee.extension@uga.edu

Family Assessment Workers (FAW) will be responsible for assessing new parents (prenatal and postnatal) for the risk of child abuse and neglect. Trained in the Healthy Families Model, the FAW will offer family in-home visitation services. Family Support Workers (FSW) provide emotional support, parenting education and guidance, and linkage to community resources through weekly, bi-monthly, monthly, and quarterly in-home visits with at-risk parents of newborns and children under age five years. FAW/FSW will work full-time (40 hours per week, may require evening and weekend hours) and are directly responsible to the Healthy Families Program Manager.

Direct Service:

• Provide emotional support and use active listening skills during visits.
• Provide crisis counseling to families when appropriate.
• Educate families about nurturing care giving skills and child/family development in order to develop quality parenting skills.
• Foster positive parent/child interaction.
• Refer families to appropriate community resources and services.
• Help families to resolve their own problems.
• Assist families in receiving proper, preventative medical care for themselves and their children.
• Schedule at least weekly visits with each family.
• Maintain a relationship with each family for the duration of their involvement with the Healthy Families Program.
• Maintain confidentiality and respect participating parents and children as individuals.

Indirect Service:

• Establish a case plan with goals, objectives, and activities with supervisor.
• Attend Family Support Worker training sessions and others as indicated.
• Attend weekly individual and monthly group supervisions.
• Attend monthly in-services and trainings.
• Assist in planning and implementing group activities for families.
• Notify supervisor of any concerns regarding child abuse reports, families missing visits, potential problems, safety issues and any other questions regarding the program.

Assessment:

• Successfully complete all required training required for Family Assessment Workers.
• Utilize basic interviewing skills to conduct psychosocial needs interviews with families during their prenatal and/or perinatal period to further assess risk, compatibility for HFG home visiting, and guide services.
• Utilize information about the dynamics of child abuse and neglect when appropriate.
• Act as a mandated reporter when indicated.
• Refer the family to Program Manager for assignment to a family support worker.
• Advocate for families as required.
• Communicate and cooperate effectively with administrators, grant manager, community partners, and professionals encountered in performing Assessment tasks.
• Maintain confidentiality and respect participants as individuals.
• Notify Supervisor and SOC Administrator of any concerns regarding child maltreatment, potential problems or safety issues and questions or difficulties with hospital staff, administration or community partners.
• Complete all necessary documentation within the time frame indicated by policy and grant requirements.
• Meet with potential Healthy Family parents as soon as possible after receiving referral.

Program Management:

• Complete all necessary documentation within the time-frame indicated in the program policy.
• Complete visits with families or transfer family to another visitor before terminating employment.
• Keep scheduled visits with families and let them know if you will be late or need to reschedule.

Other responsibilities:

• Attend weekly and monthly staff meetings.
• Assist in special projects, fundraisers and office duties as needed.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisor.
• Act as mandated reporter.

Positive parenting experience or prior experience in childabuse prevention, home-based services, parent education, nursing, childdevelopment, and related areas are a helpful advantage.

Bachelor’s degree in a related field or equivalent.

• Normal working conditions of an office environment.
• Stand for long periods to effectively present program to attendees.
• Lift and carry up to 25 pounds.
• Speak effectively to audiences without amplification.
• Driving.

The work is typically performed in an office setting.