Family Support Counselor jobs in Bridgeport, CT

Since 1925 The Child and Family Guidance Center has been serving children and families.  We provide culturally informed mental health care and complementary supports, regardless of ability to pay.  If you would like to be a part of our team and make real difference in people’s lives. The Child and Family Guidance Center is currently seeking a full time Home Visitation Program Family Support Specialist.  

The Family Support Specialist works directly with the families in their homes. Family support specialist are responsible for providing comprehensive and intensive home visiting services to both parents and implementing the Healthy Families America model. Family support specialist should have experience working with vulnerable children and families. 

The selected individual will be responsible for but not limited to the following Essential Functions:

• Family Support Specialist’s work directly with families, providing services in the family’s home, at least once a week initially, using the Healthy Families America’s evidence-based model to improve parenting skills, enhance the family’s support system, improve parents’ understanding of children developmental stages, and the family’s ability to advocate for themselves and their children.
• They will work closely and in a collaborative manner with the families to develop a strength-based “Action Plan” to address areas identified as challenges.  The FSS will also be responsible for assisting the family in establishing goals and a plan for accomplishment of those goals, as well as the assessment of the normal growth and development of the target child. 
• Assist families with addressing barriers to attending important appointments. 
• Maintains accurate records of all client contacts and records utilizing multiple systems. 
• Assist and model for the parents how to access resources and utilize their natural supports.
• Maintain collaborative relationships with other services and providers.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Qualifications:

• Family support specialists must have a Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree in Early Childhood with training as a Parent Educator with a minimum two years’ experience working with young children and families, prenatal to age six. 
• They must have previous experience working with vulnerable families. 
• Must have excellent analytical, interpersonal and communication skills (both verbal and written), computer proficiency, and the ability to communicate effectively with people from diverse social and ethnic backgrounds are also strongly recommended. 
• Knowledge of child abuse and neglect (mandated reporting) statutes preferred. 
• Must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 virus, unless eligible for a medical or religious exemption.
• Bi-lingual Spanish (preferred)

EEO Statement:   The Child and Family Guidance Center is an equal opportunity employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, gender, national or ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation, or physical disability. 

Disclaimer:  The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. 

Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice. 

website: www.cfguidance.org

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