It is the fundamental right for children to visit with their parents and siblings. The responsibilities of a Hoosier Families Visitation Facilitator include ensuring that all children removed from their parents have the opportunity to visit their parents/siblings on a regular basis. Strengthen and increase the parent’s ability to provide for the emotional and physical needs as well as the safety of their children. Provide accurate and timely information in the child’s case so that informed decisions may be made regarding reunification and permanency for the child. Supervised visitation allows DCS/Probation to assess the relationship between the child and parent and to assist the parent in strengthening their parenting skills and developing new skills.

Job Duties:

The role of the visitation facilitator is to protect the integrity of the visit and provide a positive atmosphere where parents and children may interact in a safe, structured environment. Visitation may be held in a visitation facility; neutral sites such as parks, fast food restaurant with playground, or shopping malls; child’s own home or relative’s home; foster home; or other location as deemed appropriate by the referring agency and other parties involved in the child’s case taking into consideration the child’s physical safety and emotional wellbeing. Must be available to work evenings (after school hours) and weekends.

Professional and/or Para-Professional staff will assist the family by strengthening, teaching, demonstrating, role modeling appropriate skills and monitoring in, but not limited to the following areas:

• Ensure that the safety of the child/children is the number one priority.

• Establishing and/or strengthening the parent-child relationship.
• Instructing parents in child care skills such as feeding, diapering, administering medication if necessary, and/or proper hygiene.
• Teaching positive affirmations, praising when appropriate.
• Providing instruction about child development stages, current and future.
• Teaching age-appropriate discipline.
• Teaching positive parent-child interaction through conversation and play.
• Providing opportunities for snack and meal prep with children present.
• Responding to child’s questions and requests. Teaching safety regarding age-appropriate toys, climbing, running, jumping, or other safety issues depending on the environment.
• Managing needs of children of differing ages at the same time.
• Helping parents gain confidence in meeting their child’s needs.
• Visit Planning.
• Teaching age appropriate activities that encourage child development and resiliency.
• Identifying and assessing potentially stressful situations between parent and their children.
• Giving parents an opportunity to demonstrate their willingness to complete their case plan.

Job Requirements:

• Reports directly to the Supervisor/Team Lead
  • COO in absence of the Supervisor/Team Lead
• Understands and follows all agency policies and procedures
• Completes Client, Safety, Family Risk, PFS-2, and other Supplemental Assessments with youth and families within first seven (7) days of program entry and/or Service Standard terms
• Manages and Assures an effective safety/crisis plan is in place for all identified safety concerns including family strengths and needs
• Develops and Manages the Initial Treatment Plan (ISP/Case Plan) with the DCS/FCM and provider team within the first thirty (30) days of program entry
• Meets with the client or family at least weekly, or more frequently, based on the assessed needs of the client, to review the client’s and family’s progress toward treatment goals
• Coordinates and monitors services for the client and/or family in the community, including but not limited to, mental health, medical, educational, psychological, vocational, and social services
• Participates in administrative and court reviews of the case plan as requested
• Provides in-home and community supportive Supervised Visitation observation, advocacy and other social service intervention to families and children
• Manages, Supports, and Assists in family reunification and preservation efforts with all members of the primary family or other permanent plan consistent with the Initial Case Service Plan, Progress and Visitation Notes, and Weekly/Monthly/Quarterly updates,
• Completes and submit timely Incident Reports, Discharge/Termination Summary Reports,

and all other required reports, according to agency policy

• Attends weekly supervision meetings and actively participates in the supervision process
• Services will be provided effectively, efficiently, and with evidence provided for each case.
• Attend all mandatary meetings or trainings.
• Ability to travel between appointments in order to service clients within their community
• Follows agency procedures for crisis, after-hours, and weekend emergency coverage
• Serves as a positive and effective liaison between Hoosier Families and referring agency caseworkers regarding the family and youth’s services

• Clear, effective communication skills
• Knowledge of, respect for, and adherence to current confidentiality practices
• Appreciation for and ability to respond to cultural differences
• Adept prioritization and time management abilities

• Performs other duties as requested

Qualifications:

A successful candidate will possess these qualities:

• • A passion to work in an unselfish and life-changing way. Our children and families rely on us.
  •  Ability to flourish with non-traditional work hours. We are not a 9-5 company.

Paraprofessional Level Direct Worker

• Shared life experience and are familiar with the communities where they will be working
• High school diploma or GED
• Must be at least 21 years of age
• Must possess a valid driver license and the ability to use private car to transport self and others and must comply with the state policy concerning minimum car insurance coverage.

• Must be able to pass all drug tests and all required background checks
• Must be available to work evenings (after school hours) and weekends

Professional Level Direct Worker

• Shared life experience and are familiar with the communities where they will be working
• Bachelor’s, or Master’s degree from an accredited university
  • High School Degree, GED, or Associate Degree
    • If the Direct Worker possesses an Associate Degree, High School Diploma, or GED, they must also have:
    • At least 4 years full time employment experience providing direct services to children & families that includes providing services to families that need assistance in the protection and care of their children
  • Must possess a valid driver license and the ability to use private car to transport self and others and must comply with the state policy concerning minimum car insurance coverage

• Must be able to pass all drug tests and all required background checks
• Must be available to work evenings (after school hours) and weekends

Our ideal Visitation Facilitator would carry out their responsibilities while displaying the following key behavioral competencies:

• Conviction about the capacity for all people to grow and change for the better
• Independence and proactivity in taking action and resolving problems
• Ability to maintain composure in the face of unexpected challenges, surprises and trying circumstances
• Respect for confidentiality

Areas the worker is expected to travel:

Marion and surrounding counties (up to 60-80% traveling)