Part of the nationwide Healthy Families America initiative of Prevent Child Abuse America, Healthy Families of Northern Virginia Family Service offers comprehensive support and guidance through home visitation to vulnerable parents. The mission of HF is to promote healthy prenatal outcomes, enhance the development of very young children, and promote healthy family functioning.
The Family Support Worker (FSW) initiates and maintains regular contact with families, primarily in their homes, establishes trusting relationships with families, and assists in strengthening parent-child relationships. The Family Support Worker works with parents to provide education in parenting, health and nutrition, problem-solving, stress management, and links parents to community resources. This is done through proper planning and regular home visits to first time parents who are expecting or have just had their baby. In addition, the FSW will conduct screenings, quarterly parent-child group meetings, and maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation of family’s files in accordance with program requirements.
Job responsibilities include:
- Work with a caseload of approximately 15 – 25 families
- Conduct client home visits on a regularly assigned schedule with the goal of establishing a trusting relationship
- Prepare appropriate Family Partnership Agreements, curriculum and activities for home visits
- Prepare activities for and facilitate group socialization experiences and field trips for families
- Provide appropriate parenting modeling, education, and other supportive services as outlined in the Healthy Families curriculum
- Conduct developmental screening and evaluations using such instruments as ASQ, ASQ-SE, and Health and Nutrition Questionnaire with families
- Make referrals to other services as needed and work with other community providers to provide collaborative services to clients
- Prepare reports, documentation, and maintain client files in accordance with program requirements and NVFS guidelines
Education and experience required:
- High school diploma required
- At least one (1) year experience working with children aged 0-3 and families
- Oral and written proficiency in English, with Spanish proficiency required
- Experience providing services to immigrants and culturally diverse populations preferred
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
- Ability to work a flexible schedule within a 37.5 hour work week
- Ability to climb steps, lift up to 10 pounds, and get on the floor with children
- Comfort with undesirable home conditions
- Successful completion of background checks required upon hire
This description is intended to describe the essential job functions and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and requirements of a person so classified.