Family Support Specialist + Play and Learn

$21.14 – $24.64 hourly

Full-time, Regular Status, FLSA Non-exempt

(Open until filled; please apply by June 4, 2021 for early consideration.)

Childhaven is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, inclusion, and recruiting candidates of every race, creed, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender or gender identity, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or any other protected status as provided by law.  Qualified individuals who bring diverse perspectives to the workplace are highly encouraged to apply!

ABOUT CHILDHAVEN

For over 110 years Childhaven has been a leader in serving children, families, and communities that have experienced trauma and adversity. In the past few years, we have been adding services and locations, becoming more community-based, and forming partnerships to increase our impact. In June 2020, Childhaven consolidated with Renton Area Youth and Family Services (RAYS) and Art with Heart, which further expanded our capacity to better serve more children, families, and communities. By combining our legacy of healing-centered care, with the expertise of our new partners, Childhaven is building a continuum of care model that is unlike any other in the Puget Sound Region.

We are proud to be a values-driven organization that serves families from diverse communities. Our values are the compass we use to get us there. They guide us in the way we treat each other, the decisions we make, and the success we achieve. Values are the touchstones to chart and guide our behavior, and reflect our commitment to:

• TEAMWORK: Relationships come first.
• EQUITY: There’s infinite value in every human.
• EXCELLENCE: Constructively dissatisfied with the status quo.
• DEDICATION: Do more. Do better.
• RESPECT: Meet people where they are.
• REFLECTION: Feelings Matter. Stepping back and exploring possibilities.

Going forward, we are embarking on a new and very ambitious strategic impact plan to further strengthen programs, expand impact, and embrace innovation. In the next five years our goals are to double the number of locations and quadruple the number of children and families we are serving - all while developing and strengthening partnerships with other community-based organizations, referral sources, government agencies, and universities. In so doing, we are opening doors to a host of new roles and opportunities within the organization. And that’s where you come in.

ABOUT YOU

You are a passionate, driven, and dedicated Family Support Specialist with Play and Learn who is excited by this opportunity to bring your superpowers and diverse mix of skills and experience to advance our work. You share our vision to help ensure that all children are safe and healthy; thriving physically, socially emotionally and educationally; and well nurtured by family and by their community. You too are constructively dissatisfied with the status quo, embrace continuous improvement, and heed the call to better serve more. You are equal parts learner, leader, and mentor… and see around the corners of a challenge, replaying the question of “What if” with a reply of “Why not”.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Family Support Specialist (FSS) reports to the Healthy Start Program Supervisor and operates out of our RAYS Renton Branch.  The FSS role is an essential component of the Parents as Teacher (PAT) affiliate model.  The Family Support Specialist advances Childhaven’s mission, vision, values and goals by providing culturally relevant home-based parenting education and support to caregivers who are parenting children under six years old.  To be successful in this role you must be able to establish relationships with at-risk youth and families; and manage the needs of an assigned caseload. 

Childhaven’s values are Teamwork, Excellence, Equity, Dedication, Reflection, and Respect.  If you are inspired by these values and aspire to live them out at work, then join us. 

 ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Screen new referrals to ensure the program is appropriate for their needs, provide an initial needs assessment, complete onboarding paperwork, and provide timely follow-up with referring agencies.
• Provide culturally competent home visits to each participant 2 times per month using the Parents as Teachers personal visit plans and other supplemental materials.
• Provide participant referrals and linkage to a wide variety of community resources to support participant’s needs and independence goals.
• Assist in the planning and implementation of monthly group meetings.

• Conduct annual developmental progress assessments that include social-emotional, vision, hearing and health issues.

• Maintain accurate, up-to-date participant records and complete agency and program statistical and evaluation information in the Penelope database.
• Develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with staff at public health, hospitals, schools and other community service providers.

• Actively participate in reflective supervision meetings, team meetings and monthly all staff meetings.
• Participate in professional development opportunities regarding anti-racism, oppression, and cultural competency and regularly assess own performance and program for related improvements.
• Participate in ongoing job related professional development, in-service trainings and continuing education.
• Comply with all Childhaven policies and procedures.
• Comply with the agency's policy and procedure regarding the identification and reporting of child abuse.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or GED required; coursework in early childhood development, parent childhood interactions or family support principles a plus.
• At least one year of experience working in a childcare or pre-school setting.
• Previous experience working with refugee and/or immigrant families in a volunteer or professional capacity.
• Bilingual (English and Spanish-speaking) highly preferred.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
• Able to maintain a high degree of sensitivity, tact and diplomacy during stressful situations.
• Knowledge of family support principles, parent-child interaction and child development.
• Previous home visiting experience a plus.
• Must have reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, safe driving record and auto liability insurance.

We strive to make Childhaven a great place to work by living our values: Teamwork, Equity,

Excellence, Dedication, Respect, and Reflection. Here’s a little bit about what we offer our staff:

• We believe in fully transparent hiring process.
• We offer a comprehensive benefit package including medical, dental and vision insurance. Expanded benefits include a flexible spending account, healthcare reimbursement account, a 403(b) savings program with employer A full listing of benefits is available.
• Opportunities to attend a wide variety of trainings on clinical and education topics, advocacy and more.
• We’re dedicated to serving the full range of cultural diversity in our community, and to providing families with care that’s relevant to them and their As a member of Childhaven staff, you’ll be encouraged to contribute to community engagement strategies and our anti-racism council, which makes ongoing recommendations to ensure that our programs and protocols are doing their part to dismantle systemic racism.

HOW TO APPLY

For early consideration, apply by June 4th , 2021.  Please complete the application and attach a resume and cover letter that details how you meet the requirements of the job.   

Applications without the resume and cover letter attached may not be considered.

Childhaven is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).  We value Diversity and practice Equity and Inclusion. 

If you require an accommodation to participate in the selection process, please let us know.