Healthy Families Specialist

Division: Infant & Toddler Services
Program: Healthy Families
Supervised By: Healthy Families Program Manager (HF Supervisor/Manager)
FLSA Status: Exempt/Regular/Full-time
Effective Date: October 2009

Meet weekly with expectant and new parents in their homes to provide Healthy Families Services. Services include determining eligibility and/or community linkage, providing parenting support and child development information, assisting in strengthening parent-child relationships and reducing risks associated with abuse and neglect.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The individual performs these duties using advanced knowledge obtained through specialized education and experience.

• Establish a trusting relationship with families to complete Healthy Families assessments and gather information used to assist in determining families in need of additional supportive services.
• Complete assessments and home visits at assigned level.
• Maintain familiarity with community resources and assist with referrals for families that are appropriate for their needs.
• Collaborate with families to write an Individualized Family Service Plan with goals and objectives that respect family differences and build on family strengths.
• Share information on appropriate infant/child development with families utilizing approved curricula and teaching materials.
• Model appropriate interactive behaviors with young children.
• Assist families in understanding and taking responsibility for the health and nutritional needs of children and themselves.
• Problem solve with parents so that community services are accessed and provide transportation as necessary.
• Assist parents in planning for and maintaining a safe, stimulating home environment for their children.
• Administer screenings and evaluations as required. Refer as appropriate.
• Establish and maintain accurate and complete records of family contacts using Healthy Families Indiana software.
• Participate in individual supervision, team, and administrative staff meetings and center committees as required.
• Assist in developing and maintaining quality assurance standards applied to data collection, service delivery and chart integrity.
• Maintain high level of ethical conduct regarding confidentiality and dual-relationships.
• Remain flexible, open to change and current on best practice standards.
• Organize and plan effectively to provide quality service to families and meet reporting time lines.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
  

• Associate Degree or unrelated Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university and a minimum of 2 years successful experience in parent/young child home visiting, OR Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in a related field.
• Maturity and experience in successfully raising/working with infants and young children/parents.
• Knowledge of infant and child development.
• Experience and willingness to work with culturally diverse communities/participants.
• Ability to establish positive working relationships.
• Time management, record keeping, interpersonal problem solving and listening skills.
• Computer skills including ability to utilize word processing.
• Willingness to use reliable personal transportation in a work capacity.
• Must have telephone.
  

• Satisfactory completion of Healthy Families Role Specific Training (Core) and other required training within first six months of employment and required training within the first twelve months of employment.
• Obtain any specialized driver’s license as required by HCI.

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 essential duties of this job, the employee may be required to climb and/or lift. Also included is health and physical ability to visually and audibly observe and interact with small children and families in a variety of service settings that may not be ADA accessible. Manual dexterity to keyboard and complete various written tasks.

Approximately 70 percent of the work is completed in the homes of families seeking services. Home conditions such as cleanliness, comfort and safety vary widely. Also requires driving throughout service counties in all types of weather. Possible exposure to communicable diseases, body fluids and head lice may occur. Approximately 30 percent of work is completed in office work environment.

• Completion of tuberculin screening no later than three days prior to first day of employment and annually thereafter.
• Completion of a pre-employment drug screening and completion of post-employment drug or alcohol tests upon reasonable suspicion of use.
• Completion of Center-wide orientation and ALL required paperwork prior to reporting for work.
• Demonstrated computer literacy through successful completion of pre-employment testing may be required.
• Completion of HCI Commitment to Quality training.
• Attendance at all mandatory staff development and training.
• Successful completion of a six month on the job orientation period.
• Participation in payroll electronic deposit.
• Adherence to Compliance Program Plan.
• Satisfactory reference and criminal background investigation checks (including Child Protection Services). Valid driver’s license in accordance with HCI motor vehicle policy.

Job descriptions are not intended, and should not be construed, to be exhaustive lists of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with a job. They are meant to be accurate reflections of the principal job elements essential for making fair pay decisions about jobs.

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