Job Details
JOB TITLE: Community Worker (The open position is in Half Moon Bay)
DEPARTMENT: Early Childhood Services
REPORTS TO: Program Manager
POSITION STATUS: Non-Exempt-Full-time-30 hours per week.
SALARY: $28 per hour
DESCRIPTION:
StarVista is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has helped people of all ages throughout San Mateo County navigate life challenges for over 55 years. Our mental health, crisis intervention, youth housing, substance use, and early childhood services help thousands of individuals each year. StarVista's services are rooted in strength-based, holistic practices and center diversity, equity, and inclusion to ensure anyone who comes to StarVista can access support. StarVista's values of respect, passion, partnerships, accountability, innovation, and integrity foster an agency culture of support and growth.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:
Our Early Childhood Services program strives to foster healthy cognitive, emotional, and social development for children birth through age five and their families. The Early Childhood Services Department provides Mental Health Consultation to childcare centers and providers throughout San Mateo County and northern Santa Clara County. Consultation services are focused on enhancing the quality of childcare services, especially for children with special needs and those from low-income families. Mental Health Clinicians provide dyadic therapy services that focus on strengthening the attachment between children and their caregivers. Community Workers provide case management services and facilitate parent education groups, play groups, and support groups. These groups aim to support parents in building a deeper understanding of the meaning of their child's behavior, supporting children in meeting developmental milestones, understanding the impact trauma has on behavior and development, and creating opportunities for caregivers to strengthen their relationship with their children while connecting with others in their communities.
POSITION PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES:
We are looking for a skilled, compassionate, and self-motivated individual to join a strong team comprised of consultants, therapists, and community workers. The community worker will provide specialized case management services to parents and caregivers who are experiencing a wide array of stressors and are in most need of support. In addition, the community worker will work with the ECS team to identify themes for workshops and educational groups. They will develop and lead the workshops and educational groups, along with play and support groups. An individualized treatment plan is developed with each family to address each family's specific needs. Positions are divided into the north and south parts of the county.
A successful candidate for this position will have a proven history working with young children and families and will be able to communicate a sense of passion and commitment to early childhood work. Additionally, a warm, relational, and strength-based approach to working with families, as well as flexibility and adaptability, are key success factors. We will provide high-quality training and reflective supervision to support professional development and growth.
Requirements
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
- Provide home-based services to families, complete developmental screenings, and link families to community resources as needed.
- Assess family needs and, together with the client, develop an individualized service plan based on mutually agreed upon goals.
- Prepare and facilitate parent support groups in the community covering topics such as immigration challenges, positive discipline, parenting styles, temperament types, and how to foster secure attachments in children.
- Prepare and facilitate weekly parent-child activity groups. Topics include bedtime routines, nutrition and eating, child development/milestones, potty training, and temper tantrums, among others. These groups are intended for families that report having a mild behavioral concern with their child.
- Maintain up-to-date charting in StarVista's electronic health record and comply with all privacy guidelines.
- Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team of Consultants, Mental Health Clinicians, and Community Workers.
- Coordinate services with other providers who are involved with each family.
- Comply with documentation requirements.
- Participate in program evaluation efforts.
- Maintain client files and timely program documentation.
- Attend group supervision, individual supervision, and regular program staff meetings.
- Attend other meetings and trainings as required.
- Other duties as needed in our program.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED: - Ability to work in a team environment with flexibility, passion, enthusiasm, and humor.
- Knowledge of child development, particularly children prenatal to five
- Knowledge/experience working with high-risk families. Experience working with mental health issues, domestic violence or child abuse, a plus.
- Knowledge about community resources
- Written and oral fluency in Spanish and English is required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - Bachelor's degree in social work, human services, or related field OR associate degree and 2 or more years of experience providing case management/family support services OR 4 or more years of experience providing case management/family support services.
- A Valid CA driver's license, a well-maintained car, proof of auto insurance and the willingness to drive throughout San Mateo County
- Pass TB screening and Department of Justice fingerprint clearance.
BENEFITS: *Benefits applicable only to benefit eligible employees 20+hours per week on a prorated basis - Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- Basic Life & AD&D
- Flexible Spending Account / Dependent Care Spending Account
- Employee Assistance Program
- Retirement Plan (non-matching)
- Sick Time
- Vacation Time
- Holiday Pay
- Birthday Floating Holiday
We encourage you to apply if you think you would be a great fit but do not meet the preferred education/experience level. We welcome folks from all backgrounds and lived experiences and would love to learn more about how you may be a great fit for this role.