Family Development Specialist - Head Start

Job Description

Job Description

Department : Head Start / Early Head Start (HS / EHS) Status : Non - Exempt

Reports To : PFCE and ERSEA Specialist Schedule : FT, 10 months HS or 12 months EHS

Salary : $19.19 hourly

Position Statement :

The Family Development Specialist will provide quality, comprehensive support services to children / families participating in the Head Start and Early Head Start programs. This position will assist parents in enhancing their role as the primary influence in their child's education and development. The Family Development Specialist will establish parental involvement in child developmental activities and educational programs along with working with parents to set goals and access appropriate support services. This position will be responsible for creating training programs and facilitating positive parent, school and student relationships. The Family Development Specialist will also determine participant eligibility and coordinate child / family enrollment.

DUTIES AND RESPONSBILITIES :

• Recruits eligible children / families for the purpose of providing comprehensive services
• Strives to maintain full enrollment and serve families most in need of services according to federal guidelines
• Assesses family and infant / child needs (e.g. conducts surveys, interviews, etc.) for the purpose of determining eligibility and / or developing an action plan to remove barriers to a child's success in school.
• Assists parents in a variety of areas (e.g. filling out forms / surveys, health, nutrition living skills, budgeting, job skills, goal setting, etc.) for the purpose of developing an action plan to remove barriers to child's school readiness and supporting the family in basic life skills and economic stability.
• Encourages family involvement and orients prospective participants (e.g. site tours, program overview and eligibility requirements, benefits, etc.) for the purpose of establishing familiarity with the Head Start program, services, and required processes.
• Provides or assists with health screenings, immunization verifications, and other outside agency referrals (e.g. hearing, vision, immunization compliance, height / weight relationships, etc.) for the purpose of promoting needed treatment and complying with program requirements.
• Conducts home visits for the purpose of enrolling students in the program, interviewing parents, informing parents of school and / or community resources and provides child and family development / parenting information, and helps family set and reach goals.
• Develops individualized health, nutrition, and family support plans for all enrolled children for the purpose of furthering family goals, plans, and success strategies.
• Reports suspected incidents (e.g. physical, sexual and / or substance abuse, contagious diseases, etc.) to appropriate parties for the purpose of maintaining student's personal health and safety and adhering to agency policies.
• Maintains a variety of manual and electronic records, (e.g., program participation, contact sheets, family file, Child Plus database, agency referrals, etc.) for the purpose of documenting and tracking required data and information on program participants.
• Other duties as deemed necessary by the Center Manager to ensure the smooth operation of the HS / EHS program.

Parent and Community Engagement :

Compliance and Reporting :

Professional Responsibilities :

ERESA (Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment and Attendance / Participation) :

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES :

QUALIFICATIONS :

Minimum : Credential or certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling, or a related field.

Preferred : Bachelor's degree in human services or related field of study, and 3 years of experience in a human service program, or serving low-income families.

SRCAA is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

Employment contingent upon the results of the following : background check and drug screen.