Description

This part-time position provides supervision and parent education during court-ordered visitation sessions. Responsibilities include monitoring parent-child interactions, providing supportive coaching and education to parents, documenting visitation activities, and transporting children to and from scheduled visits. Work hours will primarily consist of evenings and weekends to meet the needs of families and court-ordered schedules.

What puts FamilyForward Out Front:

• Get paid to change lives and reshape communities
• Strong peer support with a focus on teamwork
• Emphasis on professional learning, growth, and development
• The diversity of the position gives you opportunities for new experiences
• Member and active participant in the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce
• Gateway Equity Institute Non-Profit Partner

What to expect on a given day as a Family Engagement Specialist: 

• You will monitor and facilitate visits between youth in foster care and biological parents, providing guidance and education to parents.
• You’ll maintain professional standards during visitation and document observations objectively.
• You will prepare timely, accurate, objective, and factual documentation of visitation activities in accordance with agency, contractual, and court requirements. 
• You’ll complete documentation during visits when appropriate and feasible, or ensure all documentation is completed and entered within established program timeframes.
• You will coordinate visitation schedules with families, foster parents, and other involved parties while responding to scheduling changes and cancellations as needed.
• You’ll maintain regular communication with case managers, foster parents, biological families, placement providers, and other stakeholders regarding scheduling, visitation updates, transportation, and service needs.
• You will respond to visit cancellations or schedule changes by completing documentation, communication, scheduling activities, transportation adjustments, or other assigned work as directed.
• You’ll maintain flexibility to accommodate family availability, court schedules, transportation needs, and other operational requirements, including evenings and weekends.
• You will assist group members with integration techniques and application of skills taught.
• You’ll intervene as required during visitations between youth and parents.
• You will establish and maintain appropriate professional boundaries with parents, placement providers, and children as needed. 
• You will encourage participation of group members.
• You’ll participate in Family Support Team Meetings as necessary.
• You will provide weekly reports to the foster care case manager. 
• You’ll complete annual training in Child Abuse and Neglect identification, and Mandated reporting and prevention training, as well as other required trainings.
• You will maintain confidentiality of client information in accordance with agency policy and applicable federal and state confidentiality laws.
• You will fulfill all mandated reporter responsibilities in accordance with Missouri law and agency policy.

Travel and Transportation Essential Functions

• You will transport children safely to and from court-ordered visitation sessions and other approved locations as assigned.
• As necessary, you will travel to transport children and facilitate supervised visitation at community locations, agency sites, and other approved settings. Travel may include locations outside the employee's primary work location or regularly assigned geographic area, based on program and client needs.
• You’ll maintain any vehicle used to transport clients in a safe, clean, and sanitary condition; including being free from strong odors. 
• You’ll comply with all traffic laws and agency policies regarding the transportation of children and families, must meet FamilyForward's vehicle safety and insurance requirements.
• You will ensure the safe use of child safety seats and other required passenger safety equipment during transport.
• You will immediately report any accidents, moving violations, or changes in driving status that could affect the ability to perform transportation duties.

You would be a good fit for this position if you: 

• Have a high school diploma, or equivalent required.
• Have experience working with children, preferred.
• You have basic knowledge of and/or training in the Missouri Foster Care program, preferred.
• You possess a valid driver's license, current auto insurance, and maintain an acceptable driving record.
• You have reliable personal transportation sufficient to perform the required travel.
• You’re able to pass a satisfactory Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check upon hire and annually. 

Knowledge, skills, and abilities we look for:

• Ability to remain calm and professional when working with families experiencing conflict or emotional stress.
• Knowledge of agency vision, mission, and services.
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to changing needs and time pressures.
• Ability to exercise discretion and sound judgement.
• Ability to disseminate information clearly and concisely.
• Ability to communicate professionally with coworkers, customers, donors, and vendors.
• Ability to create and sustain positive working relationships with all levels of the agency; internal and external.

Working Conditions

This position requires sustained periods of work on the computer, including writing/typing. Work activities can take place both indoors and outdoors. Employees will be required to lift children into and out of car seats. This position requires frequent communication with others, in-person and via telephone/virtual conferencing. The employee will be asked to move around rooms or within a space. The employee may occasionally be required to lift and/or move up to 45 pounds, or greater with assistance, with or without reasonable accommodation. The employee must have transportation to all Agency sites, including external locations where events are held. This position requires frequent travel to and between client visits throughout the service area, including multiple community locations in a single workday, or other meetings outside of Agency sites. This position requires evening and/or weekend work. Work schedules may change with limited notice due to family availability, court orders, transportation needs, weather, or visit cancellations. Visits may require continuous supervision of children for extended periods.

FamilyForward is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against employees because of their disability status, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, veteran status, or any other status protected under the law. FamilyForward is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace and will make reasonable accommodations to ensure the success of all employees.

Additional Notes

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed but are not to be seen as a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees so classified. Also, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer.