FAMILY RESOURCE SPECIALIST – STONE SOUP FRESNO

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Family Resource Specialist is a part-time position (20-25 hrs/wk), and will have a role in the Early Childhood Education Center (Center) at Stone Soup Fresno and the broader Southeast Asian community by linking and facilitating access to available community resources for families in need with children ages birth to five years, with a focus on children with identified special needs. This position will also serve as a resource expert and cultural liaison for community partners.

The Center offers programs that help parents/caregivers nurture and support their young children so they grow up healthy, happy, and learning. Our programs focus on parent education, early learning opportunities, family literacy, and healthy lifestyles. Programs are for children ages 0-5 and their parents/caregivers and families to participate in together, in a welcoming and vibrant atmosphere. Program serves the Fresno County area.

FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assess needs of families and children from diverse cultural backgrounds utilizing appropriate interview techniques and a variety of methods and tools
• Partner with parents to conduct child development screening (in collaboration with service partner agencies)
• Assist and facilitate family eligibility for specific programs based on federal, state regulations and policies
• Connect families with available community resources by providing information, referrals, education, advocacy, enrollment assistance/eligibility and follow up as necessary
• Develop and maintain up-to-date community resources and library for parents, community partners and staff use
• Design and implement workshops, support groups and trainings for parents on community resources and/or common social emotional child development issues

Assists and Supports the Center Program Director to:

• Work with other agencies in assigned area to ensure availability and provision of supportive services for clients (e.g., vocational rehabilitation, medical, mental health, education).
• In partnership with Center staff and partners, participate in program design and implementation to include the development of systems to collect appropriate documentation.
• Maintain records, collect data, prepare reports and conduct work utilizing a data system.
• Participate in evaluation and other efforts to improve the quality of the overall program service delivery system

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in social work, mental health, child development, or related field with at least two years’ experience working directly with families in a related field, preferably where assessment and referral was a key component of job function.  A Master’s Degree/MFT/MSW is preferred.
• Experience working collaboratively with multiple stakeholders
• Experience working with Southeast Asian American community members
• Experience providing training or technical assistance in family services and/or community partnerships
• Bilingual in English/Hmong, English/Lao, or English/Khmer (preferred)

Minimum Knowledge and Skill Requirements:

• Knowledge of and sensitivity to the unique challenges faced by refugee/immigrant families living in poverty, its effects and the effects of trauma
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of social work, group work, and/or community organization
• Knowledge of human behavior and child development stages
• Knowledge of the basic principles of analyzing the physical, psychological, and social factors contributing to family, parent, and child functioning
• Knowledge of the scope and activities of public and private health and welfare agencies and public assistance programs.
• Ability to maintain records, prepare reports and correspondence related to the work
• Ability to develop relationships with community partners
• Skilled in delivering information using various formats to community stakeholders
• Ability to utilize agency resources, technology and library to appropriately answer questions and provide information to staff, parents and other service providers
• Ability to educate and assist parents to respond to the social emotional needs of children
• Ability to engage families and facilitate opportunities that foster empowerment and self sufficiency
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment.
• Excellent problem solving skills.
• Proven ability to maintain professional boundaries and client confidentiality
• Ability to work with families of varying cultural, social, and economic backgrounds
• Ability to prioritize work, organize, and manage time effectively
• Ability to communicate (verbal and written) effectively and appropriately with others.  In order to best serve the community at the Center, individuals bilingual in Hmong/English are preferred.

Preferred Skill Requirements (not required but preferred, training may be required):

• Understanding of Early Childhood Mental Health key concepts and developmental milestones to include attachment, bonding and brain development, and including screening/resourcing for maternal and postpartum depression
• Early Childhood Developmental Screening experience
• Knowledge of Opening Doors/Abriendo Puertas curriculum
• Ability to work with families utilizing a reflective and relationship based approach
• Trained in CPR/First Aid for young children
• Knowledge of community resources and public services available to low-income families including: housing programs/assistance, food stamps, WIC, cash assistance, child care, Head Start/Early Head Start, Mental Health Services, transportation, health care services/insurance, familial distress, domestic violence, crisis intervention, immigration assistance, job development, and financial counseling and educational services for families experiencing financial distress.

COMPENSATION:

$16-18/hr, DOE.  Rate of pay will be commensurate and competitive with experience and qualifications.  This is currently a 20-25 hr/wk position.

DEADLINE:

Ongoing recruitment until filled.

 TO APPLY:

Please submit (mail, email fax, or delivery) a cover letter and resume to:

Lowell J. Ens, Executive Director

Stone Soup Fresno

1345 E. Bulldog Lane

Fresno, CA  93721

lens@stonesoupfresno.org

559.224.7613

STONE SOUP FRESNO IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/ADA EMPLOYER

Updated 11.17.16