Context:

FamilyWorks partners with families to alleviate food insecurity and ensure they have resources and support to overcome systemic barriers to equity, build stable communities, and thrive. FamilyWorks envisions vibrant, equitable neighborhoods strengthened by resources designed by and for families furthest from justice.

Our organization has a long history for emphasizing resiliency for over 20 years. We do this by providing services in the North Seattle area. We operate a food bank in the Wallingford neighborhood and a Family Resource Center in Roosevelt. We also host an array of programs and services through our mobile food pantry sites and school-based family resource centers. FamilyWorks’ unique approach of welcoming participants with effective listening, deep respect and providing a platform to build community. As a result, we have strong, lasting relationships with the diverse community that utilizes our programs.

Our organization is seeking two practicum students, one being placed at our Wallingford Food Bank and the other student being placed at our Roosevelt Family Resource Center.

The practicum student will be able to work closely with our Community Connectors, connecting participants to various public benefits, additionally building community partnerships, develop a case load, assist with administrative tasks and assist with other special events which include resource fairs and playgroups.

Work Description:

The FamilyWorks practicum student will support organization’s mission in various ways and will have opportunities to practice social work to gain micro, macro and mezzo level experience. Student will work at various sites which includes the Family Resource Center, school-based sites, food bank and more! They will be expected to work with participants to provide referrals, resources and helping meet their basic needs through services offered at FamilyWorks. Remote work include projects related to collecting participant data, updating resource documents and other tasks assigned. During the first quarter of the practicum, student will be expected to work in different capacities such as the food bank, family programs, shadow our Community Connector at outreach locations and participate in various trainings and meetings. Through the course of the practicum, student work independently to do light case management and other tasks assigned. Primarily the practicum student will work collaboratively with Family Resource Center staff and report to the Family Resource Center Manager.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

• Provide referrals and seek essential resources to meet the need of participants in-person (at a safe distance with PPE provided), over the phone and/or via email
• Work collaboratively with Community Connectors to assist with follow-ups and help manage participant case notes within Link2Feed software
• Opportunity to do outreach at Mobile Food Pantry locations with the Community Connector
• Participate in various meetings which include all staff, Family Resource Center, and other trainings
• Assist with play and learn groups, which include children under the age of 5 with their caregivers to come together to build social connections and participate in curriculums that aims for school readiness.
• Create flyers to promote Family Resource Center services and programs that will be shared with participants and community partners
• Work occasionally in Wallingford food bank which can include distributing food, provide basic need items such as diapers and checking-in participants
• Organize and sort donations at resource center and food bank to ensure they’re more accessible for participants
• Lead/co-lead race and equity topics and mindfulness activities during department and staff meetings
• Answer phone calls and return voicemails to donors, participants and community partners

The micro level learning experience include but are not limited to light case management. This will includes working with the Community Connectors to get a deeper understanding of providing benefit navigation to individuals. Experiences gained will include learning how to work one-on-one with participants, keep track of their progress and understand referral processes.

Research what other services are provided in the community and become familiar with the different programs available, as well as understanding accessibility and eligibility requirements.
Going on outreach with the Community Connector to mobile food pantry sites to connect participants with programs and services offered at FamilyWorks.
Research more about how to build a sense of community among participants seeking social connection, can apply to both families, as well as the individuals who use our food bank resources.

Attending community trainings and staying up to date on what policies that affect our participants. Learn about changing trends and emergent needs for the greater community and the specific populations we serve. Assist with reporting and granting writing to sustain funding and understand the correlations of systems that impacts our families.

• Experience working directly with children, youth, families and individuals
• Able to lift at least 25 pounds
• Bi-lingual in Spanish is a plus
• Must be comfortable with phone and email communication
• Comfortable working with participants in-person, adapting to multiple sites and working in fast-paced environments
• Able to navigate new technology and software systems
• Ability to be relational, empathetic, and patient
• Initiate and able to follow-up with given tasks, projects or deadlines given from supervisors
• Must possess strong human-relation skills to communicate effectively with team and participants
• Interest in racial equity and educational justice
• Skills around de-escalation
• Able to do screen and do assessments to identify the needs of participants

Spanish

Contact information: edselb@familyworksseattle.org and 206-647-1774
Resume and cover letter required