Family Support Services provides a variety of resources for families who have a child with a developmental disability. Services can include social activities, respite, consultations, sibling support, and a resource center.

For more information about our organization, please visit us online at www.eastersealschicago.org. 

The Respite Worker will adhere to the standards set forth in the HIPAA Privacy Notice, as well as the Mandated reporter guidelines, and act to preserve the integrity and confidentiality of Protected Health Information collected and maintained by the family as well as at the agency. Job duties for this position are assigned by the family. 

The Respite Worker position is located at the Easterseals Family Support Services at 730 N. Church Street, Rockford 61103.

 MAJOR FUNCTIONS/ACCOUNTABILITIES: 

Basic Function: Attends to the personal needs of the child with a disability to provide respite to the parents.

Assists with the physical needs of the child by performing tasks, such as bathing, toileting, dressing, and feeding/meal preparation.

• Ensures proper usage of the child’s adapted equipment such as wheelchairs, communication devices, seating or positioning equipment, or other similar pieces of equipment, in necessary.
• Provides for the safety and supervision of the child/children in his/her care.
• Provides age-appropriate activities for the child in his/her care.
• Provides feedback and communicates with the parents regarding activities that took place during the respite.
• Follows guidelines and directions as established by Easterseals Family Support Services program
• Follows guidelines and directions as established by the parents while in the home.
• Follows client/program confidentiality.
• Documents respite hours provided in the Paylocity data system within the required time period.
• Meets with the Family Support Specialist on a quarterly basis either in person or virtually.
• Regularly checks and responds to Easterseals email communications.
• Completes Mandated Reporter training before providing initial respite to the family.
• Participates in Easterseals required training within the period established by the agency.

Education/Certification:

• High School diploma

Experience Required:

• Experience working with children with developmental disabilities and their families.

Continuing Requirements::

• High complexity of decision making
• High amount of time pressure of decision making
• Above average knowledge, understanding and respect for diverse family needs and values. 
• Above average ability organizational skills
• Above average creative thinking and problem-solving skills

Physical Requirements:

• Normal physical mobility, which includes movement from place to place
• Normal physical agility, which include to maneuver body while in place
• Normal physical strength to handle 50-pound object, taking frequency into consideration
• Normal coordination, including eye-hand, hand-foot
• Above  average endurance

Skills/Abilities:

• Must be able to work well with clients, all levels of the organization, other agencies, and funding source personnel.
• Must be well organized, highly detailed oriented and accuracy-driven.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrates initiative and motivation.
• Strong background, interest in, and commitment to working with children with special needs and their families.
• Ability to work as a team member.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

ADA: Easterseals will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disability Act of 1990. Unless exempted by the Americans with Disabilities Act, all persons hired for this position are required to possess the ability to perform the physical tasks necessary to treat clients, i.e., bending, floor-sitting, etc., as well as to have the ability to lift up to 50 pounds frequently.