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What are Healthy Families in Polk?

Healthy Families in Polk is a community-based program designed to support and strengthen families in Polk County, typically focusing on those who are expecting a baby or have young children. The program provides home visiting services, parenting education, and connections to community resources to help ensure children are healthy, safe, and ready to learn. Healthy Families aims to prevent child abuse and neglect, promote positive parent-child relationships, and improve overall family well-being. Services are voluntary and free to eligible families residing in Polk County.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a Family Support Worker in the Healthy Families Polk program?

To thrive as a Family Support Worker in Healthy Families Polk, you need a background in social work, human services, or a related field, and experience working with children and families. Familiarity with case management software and documentation systems, as well as relevant certifications like CPR/First Aid, are typically required. Strong interpersonal communication, cultural sensitivity, and problem-solving skills help you build trust and effectively support families. These skills and qualifications are vital for providing effective, compassionate guidance and resources to families, ultimately promoting child well-being and strengthening communities.

What challenges are faced when working as a Family Support Worker in the Healthy Families program in Polk County?

Family Support Workers in the Healthy Families program often encounter challenges such as building trust with families, navigating diverse cultural backgrounds, and addressing complex family dynamics. The role requires regular home visits, during which workers provide parenting education, connect families with community resources, and monitor child development. It can be emotionally demanding, but team collaboration, supervision, and ongoing training help staff manage these challenges effectively while making a positive impact on families in the community.

What is the difference between Healthy Families In Polk vs Family Support Specialist?

AspectHealthy Families In PolkFamily Support Specialist
CertificationsTypically requires child development or family support certificationsOften requires similar certifications in family services or social work
Work EnvironmentHome visits, community settings, officesCommunity agencies, client homes, offices
Industry UsageChild welfare, family support programsFamily services, social work agencies

Healthy Families In Polk and Family Support Specialists both focus on supporting families through home visits and community engagement. While their roles overlap in certifications and work environments, Healthy Families In Polk is a specific program aimed at early intervention and prevention, whereas Family Support Specialists may work across various programs within family and social services.

What states have the most Healthy Families In Polk jobs?

States with the most job openings for Healthy Families In Polk jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Healthy Families In Polk jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Healthy Families In Polk jobs are:

Healthy Families In Polk jobs near you
Infographic showing various Healthy Families In Polk job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 69% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 30% Remote job distribution.

Family Support Specialist I - Healthy Families

Bartow, FL • On-site

Polk County Board of County Commissioners
Public Safety Administration • 1 - 10 employees
Learn more about Polk County Board of County Commissionersexternal

$16.70/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 25 days ago

Job description


FAMILY SUPPORT SPECIALIST I - HEALTHY FAMILIES
Healthy Families is a free, voluntary, home visitation program designed to promote and enhance the healthy development of children and families. The program (parenting classes, parenting programs) promotes positive parenting and works to reduce negative childhood outcomes, including abuse and neglect.
The program offers outreach services designed to build trusting relationships, promote positive parenting, enhance maternal-infant bonding and attachment, enhance the child's physical, emotional and educational development, and enhance parent-child interaction. Assistance also is provided to participating families in the use of available community services and resources.
SALARY
Pay Grade 7, $16.70 Hourly, Non-Exempt
WORK LOCATION AND SCHEDULE
2135 Marshall Edwards Dr. Bartow, FL 33830
Monday - Friday, 8:00AM - 4:30PM
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
• Direct Deposit, Bi-Weekly Pay Checks
• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Life Insurance
• FRS Retirement
• 10 Paid Holidays
• Paid Time Off
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Education Incentives
• Deferred Compensation Plan
• Wellness Incentives
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Free Employee Gym
• Free Employee Health Clinic
Polk County BoCC is a Certified Age-Friendly and Drug-Free Workplace
Must have the physical, developmental, and mental ability to perform job tasks, work efforts, responsibilities and duties of the job illustrated below:
SPECIAL REQUIREMENT
The Healthy Families Section is responsible for assisting in the Emergency Management Operations for Polk County in the event of an emergency such as a hurricane. The Healthy Families Section staff may be called upon to staff special needs shelters or assist with arranging transportation for participants.
MAJOR FUNCTION
Under the direct supervision of the Family Support Supervisor, the Family Support Specialist is responsible for optimizing the home environment for the physical and mental well-being of children who are at risk of being abused/neglected, and their families.
ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES
  • Assists in strengthening the parent-child relationship through improving parenting skills and meeting dependency needs of parents.
  • Works with individual participants and groups.
  • Establishes a trusting relationship with at risk families by initiating and maintaining appropriate participant contact.
  • Establishes a family support plan with goals, objectives, and activities with the supervisor, and follows through with implementation.
  • Assists parents in making and attending appointments for doctors, social service agencies, etc.
  • Acts as a liaison between families and other community agencies.
  • Familiarizes self with community resources appropriate to needs of the families.
  • Meets with Supervisor on a weekly basis to evaluate participant status.
  • Attends regular staff meetings, case conferences, in-service training, and other meetings as required.
  • Documents home visit observations and activities in a consistent and timely manner.
  • Demonstrates ability to work as part of a team as well as independently.
  • Consistently follows County, Healthy Families Polk, and Healthy Families Florida policies and procedures.
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS
Knowledge of:
  • Proper channels of communications.
  • Operational techniques on all pieces of equipment utilized by this position.

Ability to:
  • Accept individual differences.
  • Demonstrates motivation
  • Learn and apply basic counseling skills.
  • Familiarize self with parent-child interaction and child development materials, and the dynamics of child abuse and neglect.
  • Use good judgment and make independent decisions with clear and professional boundaries.
  • Learn and follow department policies and procedures.
  • Follow proper universal precautions and infections control techniques per policy.
  • Maintain a professional and safe department and work area in line with established Safety Policies and the image desired for the organization.
  • Use curriculum, developmental, and assessment tools.
  • Become familiar with community resources and utilize such resources to meet participant needs.
  • Satisfactorily implement case plan.
  • Attend required meetings, required in-services, conferences, etc.
  • Relate to participants in a non-judgmental manner while maintaining cultural sensitivity.
  • Display a positive guest relations attitude.
  • Deal tactfully with participants, co-workers, community agencies and the general public.
  • Work harmoniously within Healthy Families Polk, with professional and non-professional employees within and outside the organization.
  • Work well as part of a team and be able to function independently when needed.
  • Read, write, and understand the English language.
  • Provide transportation for a participant as appropriate.
  • Lift, move, and/or maneuver equipment and supplies not to exceed forty-five (45) pounds.
  • Perform all job duties with reasonable accommodation.

Skilled in:
  • Interpersonal communication.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
  • Graduate of an accredited high school or possess an acceptable equivalency diploma; AND
  • Have one (1) year experience:

- Working with infants or young children.
- Working with or providing services to children and families.
- Working with the culturally diverse populations present among the site's target population (economically disadvantaged, minorities, etc.).
  • At least one (1) year demonstrated knowledge of infant and child development (through babysitting, childcare, and/or classroom work).
  • At least 1 (1) year experience in a job or environment requiring openness to reflective practice (i.e. has capacity for introspection, communicates awareness of self in relation to others, recognizes value of supervision, etc.).
  • A comparable amount of related training and experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications at the discretion of the Health and Human Services Director, except for the bilingual requirement.
  • Must possess a valid driver's license or be able to secure a valid Florida driver's license at the time of employment. Must not have had a preventable crash or a moving violation within twelve (12) months prior to making application.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
  • Applicant is required to complete a Level 2 background screening (FBI Check) prior to employment. Applicant must also sign the Healthy Families Florida Standards of Confidentiality and Information Sharing Form, The Department of Children and Families Security Agreement and the Affidavit of Good Moral Character form prior to employment.
  • Must be willing and able to work a flexible schedule to accommodate the needs of program participants. Must have an active phone number at the time of employment as employee is subject to call.
  • May be exposed to safety hazards, contaminations, and infectious diseases including HIV and Hepatitis virus.
  • Any Healthy Families staff personally involved in a Department of Children and Families investigation is required to notify their direct supervisor. Due to the nature of the work done by Healthy Families, this type of incident and/or failure to report such an incident may put the program in a position of public disrepute and therefore result in disciplinary action for the employee.

SPECIAL PREFERENCE
  • Special preference given to those with bilingual abilities.
  • Infant mental health endorsement preferred.

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