Family Support Specialist - Help Me Grow - First Steps

ProMedica Russell J. Ebeid Children's Hospital is a 169-bed facility that has grown to be the region’s leading pediatric care facility. We offer a full spectrum of medical services to meet the unique needs of children from birth through adolescence. As an accredited facility by the Joint Commission, we strive to meet the highest national standards for safety and quality of care and are committed to continually improving patient care.

Highlights of our facility include a Level IIIb 72-bed unit Neonatal Intensive Care Unit that provides care for premature babies as early as 22 weeks gestation and as small as 14 oz.; the region’s largest Level II pediatric trauma center; a state-of-the-art cancer center for pediatric cancer patients; and the first dual-certified asthma program for treating both inpatient and outpatients by the Joint Commission in Ohio.

The Help Me Grow (HMG) home visiting program is a voluntary family support program for pregnant women and new parents. The Help Me Grow program promotes healthy growth and development for babies and children 0-3 years.

Position Summary:

The Family Support Specialist is a well-trained professional who uses a non-judgmental and compassionate approach that empowers parents with skills, tools and confidence to nurture the healthy growth of their children. The specialist is responsible for building trusting relationships with families based on the Healthy Families America (HFA) model. Using the HFA model, the home visitor will establish positive home environments, promote strong attachments through parent-child interactions, and encourage the well-being of children and families.

Essential Job Functions

Home Visiting 80%

• Schedule and provide regular home visits with families
• Conduct ongoing screenings and assessments such as ASQ’s and other required tools.
• Implements research-based curriculum, Growing Great Kids, during home visits.
• Support and guide families in the development of the Family Goal Plan and encourage families in achieving goals.
• Connect families with community resources when needed
• Documents observations of children and families through home visits progress notes and completes required documentation in accordance with program expectations
• Maintains electronic case notes and program records
• Meets weekly with supervisor to reflect on family’s documentation and review interventions needed
  

Other Duties 20%

• Participates in monthly team meetings
• Completes training required by ODH, HFA, and Growing Great Kids
• Obtain home visitor credential and maintain credential throughout employment
• Assists and refers to community resources
• Actively engage in parent meetings and virtual events
• Coordinate services with other community agencies

Job Requirements

Education and Experience

• High School diploma required; Associate degree preferred in early childhood, social work or related field
• Home visitation experience preferred; prior experience working with children and families highly preferred
• Knowledge of child development and parent-child attachment principles
• Ability to approach families from a strength based and family-centered perspective
• Ability to maintain professional boundaries when providing supportive services
• Must have working knowledge of office computers and software

Job Requirements

• Must have valid driver’s license; provide own transportation and proof of insurance
• Must have cell phone to be used for communication with clients and for other program needs
• Must be able to travel throughout the community (Lucas County) and work in private homes
  

The above list of accountabilities is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by the incumbent; it should not be considered exhaustive.

ProMedica