Family Home Visitor - Healthy Families Program

SEEKING:  We are seeking a 40 hour per week Family Home Visitor, for our Healthy Families Program. This position is based out of the Pittsfield office with travel throughout Berkshire County

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

The Healthy Families Program provides parent education and support to young parents with young children through home visiting, parent child groups, and parent support groups. Program components include parenting support, parent skill development, child development education, health/wellness education and referrals to agencies and services. Home visitors assist with the development of family goals, support parents to achieve goals, promote healthy outcomes of pregnancy, reduce child abuse and prevent developmental delays in children. Services are inclusive of the family unit (including fathers/partners) and promote family stability. Also includes data collection, program evaluation, and advocacy. Works as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.

RESPONSIBLE TO: Healthy Families Program Director

BASIC FUNCTION:

The Family Home Visitor will conduct weekly or bi-weekly home visits to young parents throughout Berkshire County to provide pregnancy and parenting support and education. Home visits take place throughout Berkshire County.

RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Providing parent education through individual home visits using parent education curriculum and providing strength-based support to young parent families.
• Documenting accurately, legibly, and succinctly participant contacts, including inputting information in a web-based database.
• Maintaining participant charts and all required written and electronic documentation.
• Assisting with planning and facilitating parent education and parent/child groups.
• Advocating for young parents and their needs and making referrals to other services as needed.
• Providing a variety of support to young families including, but not limited to, parenting skill development, health education, nutrition counseling, pregnancy/labor and delivery education, breast feeding support, stress management, assessment of home safety.
• Partnering with program supervisor to participate in weekly reflective supervision. Willingness to engage in building reflective capacity (e.g. capacity for introspection, communicating awareness of self in relation to others, recognizing value of supervision, etc.).
• Assisting with the gathering of data and other information as required by funding sources and the lead agency.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Experience as a parent, as well as relevant experience in parenting education and/or human services, is preferred. Experience working with young parents and young children is highly desirable. Minimum high school diploma or G.E.D. equivalency.
•  Some knowledge of local health and human services and community resources is preferred. 
• Knowledge of child development, particularly for ages 0-3 years, is desirable. Infant mental health endorsement preferred. 
• Must have the ability to establish trusting relationships and supportive, non-judgmental rapport with families, and demonstrate good listening skills. 
• Must be able maintain a professional relationship with families, professionals, and other agencies. 
• Must have good communication skills and be able to work with families from diverse backgrounds. 
• Must demonstrate acceptance of individual differences and have the experience and humility to work with culturally diverse families. 
• Must be able to document information accurately and have working knowledge of computers and word processing, as well as skill in standard office equipment. 
• Must be comfortable using virtual platforms such as Zoom, Facebook Messenger, etc. to attend meetings and trainings. 
• Must have the ability to structure time and responsibilities independently and an ability to plan and implement individualized activities to occur in participants’ homes. 
• Must be able to travel to homes and other community resources in order to provide services to families. 
• Must have good physical health in order to meet the demands of home visiting, physically holding and carrying infants and young children, car seats, scales, etc. 
• Must be able to successfully complete Criminal Offender Record Information check (CORI), Sexual Offender Record check (SORI), DCF check, and Motor Vehicle Record Check. 
• Must be interested in participating in training and professional development. Bilingual candidates strongly encouraged to apply.

SALARY RANGE: $19.00 - $20.00/hour.  Benefits include medical, vision and dental insurance, sick and vacation time, as well as paid holidays, paid closure days and retirement plan.