Family Support Specialist at The Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization

Ontario, Oregon, United States -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

01 Apr, 26

Salary

48600.0

Posted On

01 Jan, 26

Experience

0 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Bilingual, Home Visiting, Child Development, Parenting Education, Community Resources, Strengths-Based Approach, Relationship Building, Documentation, Assessment Tools, Goal Development, Problem-Solving, Coping Strategies, Team Collaboration, Reflective Supervision, Cultural Competence, Communication

Industry

Non-profit Organizations

Description

Description The Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) is a non-profit organization established in 1976 to serve immigrants, refugees, and the broader community in Portland, Oregon. Our mission is to welcome, serve and empower refugees, immigrants and people across cultures and generations to reach their full potential. Find out more at www.irco.org. POSITION: Family Support Specialist JOB CLASS/GRADE: Specialist 1 / Grade 8 WAGE: Starting at $48,600 per year FLSA; EEO; WC: Non-Exempt; Professional; 8864 LOCATIONS: IRCO Eastern Oregon, 723 S. Oregon St, Ontario, OR 97914, (On-site position) FTE; FT/PT; STATUS: 1.0 FTE; Full-Time with Benefits; Regular NUMBER OF POSITIONS: (1) APPLY AT: www.irco.org STATUS: Full-Time with Benefits PROGRAM(S): Healthy Families Eastern Oregon SECTOR: Home Visiting / Early Learning Services REQUIREMENTS: High School Diploma/GED required 1-2 years of experience in working with or providing services to children and their families Must possess a valid driver’s license and verification of current auto-insurance and have full use of automobile during work hours Bilingual in English and Spanish required This job announcement is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed in this job. This is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Program Summary Healthy Families Eastern Oregon is a free, voluntary home visiting program that supports expectant parents and families with young children by promoting early childhood relational health and positive parent-child relationships. Trained Family Support Specialists (FSS) partner with families through regular home visits to support healthy child development and strengthen family well-being. The program follows the Healthy Families America (HFA) evidence-based model. It is funded in part through the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program, a federal initiative that supports evidence-based home visiting services nationwide. Through this framework, families receive strengths-based, family-centered support and connections to community resources tailored to their specific needs and goals. Position Summary IRCO is seeking a Family Support Specialist (FSS) to align with the priorities set forth by the Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC), Healthy Families Oregon (HFO), the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), and the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program. The Family Support Specialist (FSS) initiates and maintains regular, long-term (up to three to five years) supportive relationships with families. Services are primarily provided within the family’s home, with each visit lasting at least one hour. Home visits are family-centered and strengths-based, focusing on building trusting relationships, strengthening the parent–child bond, promoting healthy childhood growth and development, and enhancing family well-being by supporting protective factors and reducing risk factors. Working as an FSS in the Healthy Families program involves engagement with families experiencing complex and intersecting challenges, including multi-generational trauma, child welfare involvement, poverty, housing instability, chronic stress, and mental health and/or substance use challenges. The FSS partners with families while honoring differences in family structures, community traditions, and parenting practices. Essential Functions Home Visits (53%) Conduct regular, planned home visits using a strengths-based, family-centered approach to support positive parenting, child development, and family well-being Apply working knowledge of parent-child interaction, child development, and the impact of stress, trauma, and adversity to support protective factors and reduce risk factors associated with child abuse and neglect Administer approved screening and assessment tools in accordance with HFO and MIECHV protocols, including the Family Resilience and Opportunities for Growth (FROG) Scale, Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ, ASQ-SE), depression screenings, and intimate partner violence screenings Use assessment and screening results to collaboratively identify family strengths, priorities, and areas of concern Partner with families during home visits to support family-driven goal development and ongoing progress toward goals Teach, model, and reinforce problem-solving, coping, and parenting strategies, including developmentally appropriate parent-child activities and interactive play Facilitate referrals and support families in accessing healthcare, mental health, social services, and community-based resources, including assistance with scheduling and attending appointments and completing applications or enrollment for needed services HV Preparation, Follow-up, Documentation, and Travel (35%): Develop and maintain Family Service Plans, including goals, objectives, and activities, based on assessment results and family priorities Prepare curriculum, activities, and referrals to support upcoming home visits Record weekly client observations, activities, data tracking, and case management in the HFO Database Act as a liaison between families and community agencies to support access to needed services Complete monthly reports and submit data as requested Travel throughout Baker and Malheur Counties for home visits Supervision and Training (12%): Participate in 1.5–2 hours per week of reflective supervision with a supervisor, in accordance with HFA/HFO model requirements Attend staff meetings, team meetings, and trainings as required by the program and organization Participate in ongoing monthly and annual training required by the program and organization Ability to meet prescriptive programming guidelines Secondary Functions Maintain a high level of confidentiality Attend community meetings/events as a program representative and outreach Special projects as assigned by the Healthy Families Program Manager, Healthy Families Supervisor, and Early Learning Managers Maintain regular communications with program, team, and site/organization/staff Requirements Education & Experience MINIMUM JOB SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS: Any combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position is qualifying. This would typically include: High School Diploma/GED 1-2 years of experience in working with or providing services to children and their families Demonstrated knowledge and skill in the following: · Parenting education and assessment, infant and child development, nutrition, preventive healthcare, home visiting practices, and community resources · Engaging families experiencing stress or adversity using a strengths-based approach · Establishing and maintaining trusting relationships with families · Working respectfully and effectively with individuals from various backgrounds and belief systems · Building reflective capacity, including openness to supervision and self-reflection · Ability to project a professional image in person, by phone, and in the community · Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs · Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Infant mental health endorsement preferred Physical, Mental, & Environmental Requirements On-site, In-person position Position requires the use of evidence-informed curriculum with the ability to adapt to families' desires, goals, and service plans Creativity and planning skills for planning multiple home visits weekly Extensive and ongoing training requirements as per HFA/HFO and MIECHV model specifications Work independently and as part of a team environment Extensive and timely documentation, writing, and data input. Driving through Baker and Malheur to conduct home visits using your own vehicle Flexibility to work with families' schedules and family differences Supervisory Responsibilities Positions at this level are not responsible for any supervisory functions, or responsibilities, but may occasionally be asked to orient and/or train new employees or volunteers. What We Offer IRCO is a very employee-friendly workplace and offers great benefit package to our staff: Many flexible working arrangements and schedule Amazing opportunity to work with people who come from all over the world Work that helps your community 3 to 6 weeks of PTO per year 401k match of over 100% on first 5%, immediate vesting 3% match for student loans or college savings 12 Paid Holidays and 1 Floating Holiday Medical & Dental insurance options with 90% coverage for employee AND Families, no deductibles Employer Paid Life, Short term, and Long-term Disability Insurance Flexible spending account Required Engagement Engage fully in recommended professional development, as well as other assigned or required training activities. This engagement can also include participation in optional activities that embrace IRCO’s mission, vision, and values-based initiatives. How To Apply Complete the IRCO application in our Careers Portal: IRCO Application for Employment. Upload your resume and cover letter addressing your qualifications for this position IRCO Careers. For questions about this position, please email jobs@irco.org Please note that physical applications are accessible from IRCO’s main office, 10301 NE Glisan, Portland, OR 97220. Due to the high volume of applications received, we will not be able to contact applicants or return calls regarding applications. Complete applications should include a cover letter, resume, and IRCO application. IRCO is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any characteristics protected by State and Federal law. We will make reasonable accommodations to meet our obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and state disability laws.

Responsibilities

The Family Support Specialist conducts regular home visits to support positive parenting and child development while building trusting relationships with families. They also facilitate referrals to community resources and maintain documentation of client interactions.