Child & Family Specialist

Job Summary:

The Child & Family Specialist is responsible for providing direct care of children and youth for short periods on site, while parents participate in brief meetings or activities, as well as the coordination of resources for parents and children who participate in Cathedral Center’s programs: emergency shelter, Flexible Housing, workforce services and community services.

Program goals are focused on reducing the impact of trauma experienced by children and families due to homelessness and housing crises through provision of on-site child & youth focused services, while parents participate in workshops, case management meetings and positive parenting classes.  Activities directed to children will offer educational support, promote positive play and healthy social and emotional interactions.  The Child & Family Specialist will work cooperatively with team members to ensure the effective and compassionate provision of services to women and families experiencing homelessness and housing crises – through coordination of internal and external services, direct service provision and staff support. The Cathedral Center uses a client centered, strength based and trauma informed approach, establishes clear and realistic plans for ending homelessness, and supports women and families via problem solving and use of internal and external referrals to ensure successful outcomes.

Specific Job Duties:

1. Develop and facilitate program components including on-site drop-in services, after school program, connections to summer activities for children and youth and ensure connection to community resources.
2. Facilitate individual, family and group short term supportive sessions to assist clients in achievement of goals for independence and utilizing community resources effectively.
3. Provide selection, training and support/supervision of interns and other volunteers who will aid in service provision.
4. Ensure effective and accurate collection of data and outcomes, using an internet-based data collection platform, facilitating timely and effective reporting to the program team and fund sources.
5. Maintain accurate, confidential, professional and up to date documentation of all supervisory and client services.
6. Actively participate in community meetings and consortiums relative to the homeless provider and youth development network, collaborating effectively to coordinate service delivery.             
7. Cooperatively develop program components including on-site drop is services, after school program and connections to summer activities, as well as referral to community resources.
8. Maintain up to date knowledge of community resources, ensuring effective and appropriate linkages.
9. Actively collaborate with CCI team, participating in staff meetings, trainings, family/child reviews and case consultations.
10. Other duties as may be assigned by leadership team members.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Associate degree plus at least two (2) years of direct service experience required.
• Bachelor’s degree in social services, recreational programming, youth development or related area is preferred.
• Valid Wisconsin driver’s license and access to reliable transportation are required.
• Attention to detail and ability to work effectively with the public and diverse, vulnerable populations in a respectful and dignified manner are critical qualities
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Candidates must be able to use stairs, sit, stand, stop and walk for extended periods of time unaided, and be able to lift 15 lbs.
• Primarily first shift, with some evening and weekend programming required.
• Reliability and professionalism are key attributes.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and in a team environment, and to become familiar with and utilize a trauma-informed approach
• Effective skill in use of EXCEL, Word, and other Microsoft applications. Comfort in learning internet-based software, Clarity, for client data entry.

Candidates for all paid and volunteer positions at The Cathedral Center must have been separated from Cathedral Center services for at least one year. All candidates for paid and volunteer positions at The Cathedral Center must be willing to have a background check conducted. This position is open to all qualified internal and external candidates. Internal candidates will have ideally reached six months of continuous employment at the time of application, and their application will be prioritized accordingly.

Cathedral Center is a mission focused agency, seeking individuals who are excited to grow with us. We offer competitive pay, 90% employer paid health and dental insurance, paid long term disability and life insurance, as well as 2 weeks paid vacation, holiday, sick and personal time along with Tuition Reimbursement and free mental health services.