Job Description

Overview

At CEDARS, our mission is to help children achieve safety, stability, and enduring family relationships. For over 75 years, thousands of kids and families have found refuge and a new beginning at CEDARS. As one of Nebraska’s most trusted human service organizations, we make sure that kids feel safe and secure. At the same time, we’re giving parents, foster families, and partnering agencies the support they need to care effectively for kids.

Job Skills / Requirements

Reports To: Program Director

Classification: Non-Exempt

Schedule: Variable 40 hours/week, M-F between the hours of 8AM and 8PM.

Rate of Pay: 19.20/hour

Job Summary:

The Family Partner is responsible for initiating and maintaining regular and long-term (up to three or five years) contact and support with families. This activity will occur primarily within the family’s home; each visit should last for at least one hour. Virtual visits may take place as needed. The interventions should be family-centered, strength-based, and directed at establishing a trusting relationship; strengthening the parent-child relationship; promoting healthy childhood growth and development; and enhancing family well-being by reducing risk and building protective factors. The Family Partner partners with families and honors diverse family structures and parenting practices.  Activities may also include but are not limited to: administering screening tools such as the ASQ, ASQ-SE, Depression Screens etc.; identifying and referring families for other supportive services, including health care services. The Family Partner will also be responsible for assisting the family in establishing goals and supporting them throughout this process and is responsible for implementing activities outlined on the Family Service Plan to address areas of concern that were identified on the intake assessment.

Responsibilities:

• Provide case management in collaboration with the parent(s) and/or legal guardian(s) that extends throughout the length of CEDARS care, including aftercare and follow-up.
• Conduct and coordinate intake assessment and care plan development for assigned clients.
• Serve as a resource for the youth and family and be knowledgeable about all services internal to CEDARS and have a working knowledge of services available throughout the service areas and in Nebraska.
• Provide advocacy to facilitate a voice and choice for families.
• Responsible for providing applicable documentation and progress reports.
• Provide crisis response and assist in securing emergency services.
• Responsible for providing assistance with completing child/youth and family goals as directed in the service plan.
• When appropriate, convene a child/youth and family team for each participant, facilitate team meetings, and make every possible effort to ensure all needed professionals and natural supports participate on the team.
• In cooperation with collaborating parties, provide specified in-home support, particularly parenting skills, and household management.
• Participate in staff meetings, clinical consultation, training and case coordination with authorizing agency and other community resources as assigned by the supervisor. 
• Be responsible for carrying out all Evidence Based Practice models utilized by CEDARS and assure confidentiality to the model as well as positive outcomes for families.
• Perform other related assignments as directed by the Program Director.
• Adhere to all policies and procedures of CEDARS.
• Ensure client confidentiality and promote ethical practices and maintain professional boundaries in the provision of services.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in a field that relates to this position
• Experience in working with or providing services to children and families
• Ability to establish trusting relationships
• Acceptance of individual differences
• Experience and humility to work with culturally diverse families
• Knowledge of infant and child development
• Willing to engage in building reflective capacity (e.g., capacity for introspection, communicating awareness of self in relation to others, recognizing value of supervision, etc.)
• Infant mental health endorsement preferred
• A genuine interest in and concern for all youth and families.
• Sensitivity to the cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of the clients and families CEDARS serves.
• Ability to work with other professionals in the organization and the community.
• Ability to represent CEDARS in a positive and professional manner.
• Valid Nebraska driver’s license and a good driving record.
• Must have access to a vehicle available for use or other means of transportation arranged

Education Requirements (All)

Bachelor's Degree Required

Additional Information / Benefits

As a full-time active employee, you are eligible to participate in the following benefits:

• medical, dental, and vision coverages

• flexible spending accounts and health spending accounts

• personal leave, emergency leave, paid holidays, and floating holidays

• retirement plan with 5% company match

• life & long-term disability insurance

• employee assistance program

• wellness and engagement program

• early childhood childcare discount

• opportunities to collect overtime hours if desired

• shift differentials for overnight hours worked and holidays

• mileage reimbursement

• extensive training and professional development opportunities

Benefits: Medical Insurance, Life Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Paid Vacation, Paid Sick Days, Paid Holidays, Long Term Disability, 401K/403b Plan, Childcare Discount