POSITION SUMMARY:

The Crisis Nursery works with families in crisis. The Family Advocate has the responsibility is to provide crisis intervention, referrals, support and assistance to families who are stressed and at risk of abusing/neglecting their children. This duty requires advanced knowledge in the field of social work. Position requires the consistent exercise of discretion and judgement and open to reflective supervision.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Completes a comprehensive assessment or reassessment of families calling the nursery for services and determines if the family meets the criteria for placement;
• Determines appropriate intervention strategies with the family;
• Assesses immediate risk of abuse/neglect for the children;
• Makes reports to Child Protective Services, when appropriate;
• Provides hands-on information of community resources; assists families in the utilization of available resources in the community;
• Advocates for families and children within the community and governmental settings;
• Relates to, and takes direction from Program Director, or their designee, coordinating weekly;

• Documents interactions with families and maintain case files;
• Attends staff / team meetings;
• Coordinates and completes paperwork for the intake and discharge process with families;
• Communicates with line staff regarding care and scheduling for the children.
• Represents and promotes the crisis nursery with outside agencies and within the community;
• Keeps intake office organized;
• Collects data for outcome measures;
• Develops ongoing resources for the program;
• Conducts assessments on the children;
• Helps coordinate and assists with the presentation of pre-service / advanced / parent trainings;
• Follow-up with in-home visits as needed;
• Assist youth care workers when appropriate by modeling the crisis nursery philosophy of child care;

• Transports children in a Maryville van, as needed;
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education/Experience:

• Two or more years of experience working with families;
• Bachelor’s degree in social service or related field, from an accredited college or university;
• Knowledge of family systems and child development;
• Experience with crisis intervention.

Skills /Knowledge:

• Bilingual (Spanish) Preferred
• Cultural competency;
• Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing;
• Strong interpersonal skills;
• Ability and desire to work as part of a team;
• Basic computer skills;
• Ability to problem-solve;
• Ability to work under pressure.

Physical Demands:

• Required to frequently sit, stand, bend stoop and walk, sometimes for extended periods of time;
• Required to lift move objects weighing in excess of 40 pounds:
• Must have visual, hearing, and learning capabilities sufficient to perform the essential functions defined above.

Environment and Scheduling:

• • Must have an automobile available on a 24-hour basis and a valid Illinois driver’s license;
  • Must be flexible in training and scheduling and available to work evening and weekend shifts, and for crisis intervention services on a 24-hour basis;
  • Will perform work in and in association with Maryville program settings, as well as, but not limited to schools, recreational facilities, court rooms, hospitals, correctional/detention institutions, and various community settings;
  • Duties involve contact with parents and family members who may be hostile, dangerous, threatening, aggressive, suicidal, and/or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

HIPAA PRIVACY TRAINING AND SANCTIONS:

All employees who have access to health information whose confidentiality is protected by the HIPAA Privacy Rule are required by the Rule to receive training so that they have an understanding and knowledge of the Privacy Rule that corresponds to their job responsibilities and of the group health plan’s policies and procedures that impact on their job duties. Site specific training on requirements of the HIPAA Privacy Rule and the plan’s health information policies and procedures under the direction of the plan privacy officer may be required for this position based upon site specific requirements. Employees who violate the requirements of the HIPAA Privacy Rule will be subject to discipline, up to and including termination.

EMPLOYER RIGHTS:

This description is intended to describe the essential job functions, the general supplemental functions, and the essential requirements for the performance of this job. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and requirements of a person so classified. Management retains the right to add to or change the duties at any time.

Administrative Info