Family Skills Services Worker

Position Summary

The Family Skills Services is an in-home program for families that are at risk of having their children removed from their home due to abuse and/or neglect in Ottawa County. This program provides guidance for the parents and children to increase the parents’ confidence and competence in their parenting abilities to successfully nurture their children and provide them with a healthy and safe environment. Family Skills Services include assessment, pre/post testing, life/home management skills, parent/child interactive skills and other enhancements as necessary. Services are individualized based on a family’s presenting concerns, home-based and delivered during flexible hours, based on family need.

Wage

Up to $47,715.20 annually; $22.94/hour based on relevant work experience. Are you passionate about discovering new ways to help empower people and make a difference in their lives? If you’ve got what it takes to support us in our mission to provide help and create hope through innovative, collaborative, and diverse programs within the community, then we’ve got the right opportunity for you. About Catholic Charities West Michigan Catholic Charities West Michigan (CCWM) is a community-based agency providing programs in Western Michigan and offering a variety of services in family preservation, behavioral health, child welfare, and community outreach. CCWM is committed to ensuring a diverse workforce and a work environment whereby all staff are treated with dignity, respect, and fairness. CCWM encourages persons of diverse backgrounds and faiths to apply for employment. Essentials

Duties and Responsibilities

Provides intensive supportive interventions including: conflict resolution, family planning, career planning, self-sufficient, education, health maintenance, environmental health, role modeling, child appropriate expectations, goal setting and any other that relate to the successful outcome of the case. Services may involve modeling, demonstrations, ad supervision in any of the following areas: child care, home management, nutrition, support. Teaches, models, and engages clients in discussion on the importance of Safe Sleep practices for all families with an infant aged less than one (1) year, including but not limited to: Review of the MDHHS What Every Parent Needs to Know video or similar tool; Discuss and assist parents to plan Safe Sleep practices during critical times. Ensures an Early On referral has been made for all clients with a child aged less than three (3) years or children with an identified behavioral/developmental need. Maintains a flexible work schedule determined by the needs of the family during traditional and non-traditional hours. Participates in case consultations and conferences, as requested by MDHHS or monthly, whichever is more frequent. Sends weekly face-to-face contacts to MDHHS referring worker. Provides a written Monthly Client Progress Report to the referring worker by the 10th of each month. Monthly Progress Reports must contain, client information, MDHHS case number, dates of home visits/social work contacts, topics covered, contacts with referring worker, client participation and understanding of topics covered, progress toward goals, continuing service needs, service plan updates, barriers toward achieving goals, identification of additional services and referral information shared with clients. Discusses termination recommendation with referring worker and administer post-test AAPI to all clients at final session. Provide testimony in court as requested by MDHHS. Develops a written Termination Report for each client. The Termination Report must include the reason for termination, the client’s participation in services, reassessment of individual/family needs, re-assessment of risk factors, asset/strength identification, progress towards case goals, objectives and projected outcomes, pre/post AAPI test (or equivalent) results, identification of other services needed and referral information shared with the client. Family Skills Services may be provided for up to six (6) months. An extension may be authorized with a signature obtained by MDHHS Supervisor or Program Manager with a written Request for Extension of Service Provision. Completes all necessary documentation as required by contract and agency. Drives for Agency business. Transports clients utilizing personal vehicle, as needed. Drives for agency business. All other duties as assigned per supervisor’s request. Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this position, the staff member is regularly required to talk and/or hear. The staff member is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The staff member, on occasion, may be asked to move or lift items up to 40 pounds in weight. Work Environment: This position is primarily office based, however, on occasion may require travel to other Agency offices as required by position responsibilities and/or agency management. This position will be routinely exposed to typical office noise levels and/or exposure to various weather conditions. The qualifications listed above are guidelines for selection purposes; alternative qualifications may be substituted if sufficient to perform the duties of the job. Other Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Knowledge and adhere to MDHHS laws and rules which apply to client confidentiality. Experience working with multi-problem children and families and overall ability to relate to and engage with families with multi-problems. Training, education and experience in the area of human services. Skills in crisis intervention, assessment, short term goal setting. Knowledge of family and individual theories, strategies of home based services, including the strength based approach. Knowledge of evidence-based parenting curriculum. Clinical training and experience in individual, marital and family counseling and brief solution focused therapy. Must have a non-judgmental positive attitude toward families in crisis. Must be able to work in partnerships with other team members or service providers. Must demonstrate sensitivity and responsiveness to cultural differences present in the service population. Must have the ability to forge a mutually respectful partnership with families and individuals in which they are helped to gain skills and confidence to address issues and problems. Must have an acceptance of individual difference. Ability to collaborate with local MDHHS staff, the court, and other service providers on behalf of the family. Knowledge of local resources. Skills in crisis intervention, assessment of potentially violent situations, and short-term goal setting. Knowledge of family and individual theories. Knowledge of strategies of home-based services, including a strength-based approach. Knowledge and commitment to the strategies of home based services is essential. Knowledge of evidence-based parenting curriculum. Knowledge of community resources and ability to handle crisis. Must have a non-judgmental positive attitude toward families. This position requires reliable transportation. Must have a valid driver’s license and good driving record with zero work restrictions. Must have personal auto insurance as required by law with minimum bodily injury coverage limits of $250,000 per person/$500,000 per incident or $500,000 combined. Must be willing to work a flexible schedule based on needs of the clients served. This may include working irregular hours including evenings, holidays, and weekends. Participation is required in initial and ongoing training provided MDHHS and Agency. Must submit to agency approved background checks. Recommended Employment Qualifications Education: A bachelor’s degree in human service areas is required: social work, sociology, psychology, family ecology, consumer/community services, family studies, family and/or child development, guidance/school counseling, counseling psychology or criminal justice.

Experience

• A minimum of 1 year prior work experience working with multi problem children and families and overall ability to engage with, and relate to, families with multi-problems is required.
• Professional
• Certificates,
• Licenses, and
• Registrations: none required.
• Supervisory
• Responsibilities: This position does not have supervisory responsibilities. Our Mission Inspired by the Church's social teachings, Catholic Charities West Michigan fosters individuals and families to flourish by providing help and creating hope. Our Vision Catholic Charities West Michigan is called to create a just and compassionate community where all people can achieve their divine purpose. Our Values Sanctity of All Life Compassion Integrity Respect Equity CCWM is an equal opportunity employer, subject to all federal and state laws as applicable to a religious Agency.