Family Support Worker

Why work at Head Start?

Under the direction of the Family & Community Partnership Manager, the Family Support Worker’s responsibilities include recruiting families for the Early/ Head Start program; evaluating, addressing, and following through on the social service needs of each child and family; serving as a link between families and the Early/ Head Start program; establishing and maintaining parent center committees to meet Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) and carrying out the policies and procedures of the Family Services content area. Using culturally and linguistically sensitive, strengths-based, and family-centered approaches, the Family Support Worker will ensure that all family service/ engagement activities are consistent with Head Start Program Performance Standards. The Family Support Worker will work collaboratively as part of the Family Services team to support the family service and administrative needs of the program

ERSEA: Assists with the implementation of the program’s recruitment plan, including but not limited to, attending community events, distributing fliers and brochures, meeting with income-eligible families and collaborating with community agencies that serve eligible populations. Community events may be held outside of normal business hours. Begins to develop a relationship with families. Participates in the registration process; follows-up on incomplete documentation. Supports transition processes for children and families entering into Early Head Start/ Head Start, transitioning between Early Head Start and Head Start and transitioning out of the program to Kindergarten or another child care center.

FAMILY SERVICES: Assists families in jointly assessing their own strengths and needs so that every family has a current Partnership Agreement. Works with families to set and achieve goals in alignment with the Parent Family Community Engagement Framework. Documents and updates files on a regular basis. Locates appropriate and timely resources to address the family’s needs through referrals or direct Head Start and Early Head Start services, i.e., handouts, parenting programs, home visits, phone and video conferences, etc. Assists in crisis situations through referrals or direct Head Start/ Early Head Start services, including and not limited to, assists with transportation of a child home due to an emergent situation, refers and participates in the Case Management process., In a prudent and positive way, represents the best interests of Head Start families to the community and other community agencies and maintains cooperative relationships with agencies and community partners. . Uses referrals to assist families in reaching goals by preparing the family for the referral, assisting the family in accessing the resource when necessary and practicable by following up on the referral with family and agency (with the consent of the family). Supports families in becoming advocates for themselves and their children.

Provides Head Start families with information via phone calls, conferences, home visits, digital communication tools, parent education programs, notes, etc. regarding community resources, classroom activities, Head Start regulations and/or procedures in all content areas, parent activities including parent center committee meetings.

Follows-up on irregular attendance of any child who has been absent two (2) unexcused, consecutive days including unplanned, same-day home visits. Aids the family in overcoming obstacles that lead to attendance problems, including working with the family to develop attendance plans.

Works collaboratively with health staff and meets monthly to gather health screenings documentation, implement health screenings as needed, ensure appropriate follow up, achieve positive health outcomes for children, and implement health education programming with families.

Works collaboratively with education staff and shares relevant information about the child/family. Works with families to facilitate the adjustment of children to the classroom. Works in the classroom when needed. Interprets the meaning of the child’s experiences in the program, including supporting literacy development in the home, and parenting curriculum in alignment with the child’s classroom goals.

Assists families in obtaining and maintaining childcare financial assistance and state preschool funding when eligible.

Attends training programs and other on-going educational programs related to the position. May involve evening and/or overnight trainings.

FAMILY ENGAGEMENT: Assists in the implementation and coordination of workshops and trainings for families based on their interests and goals identified through the Family Partnership Agreement. Offers and implements evidence-based parenting curriculum. Encourages family engagement in the program through appropriate means and in an ongoing manner. Directs and encourages families to access appropriate community services based on individual needs of families in the component areas of health, nutrition, social services, transportation, and education. Acts as a liaison between families and community agencies. Facilitates family center committee meetings and events and coordinates child care for workshops and trainings.

Supports families to be engaged in their child’s health and education outcomes, following up on unmet health needs, assisting families with accessing opportunities to participate in their children’s health and education.

Develops and facilitates Head Start parent center committees and provides on-going training and role modeling to the leadership of those committees. Actively recruits families and helps to ensure all options and locations are represented to serve on Head Start Policy Council.

Complies with meeting all Mandated Reporter requirements.

TRANSPORTATION: When necessary, provides transportation to Head Start activities or appointments contributing to positive health outcomes for the child. When necessary, provides transportation of child to their home due to an emergent situation. When scheduled, provides Head Start bus monitoring support coverage and to increase family connections to the program and staff, as well as active supervision to the children during the trip. Provides self transportation to and from program facilities, home visits and other agency activities.

DOCUMENTATION AND RECORD KEEPING: Maintains records for each family enrolled as required by federal and state regulations. Keeps record of every contact with parents of each child. Documents monthly meetings with education staff in child’s electronic record.

Assess, document, evaluate, and track family service outcomes. Utilize data to develop meaningful programming. Participates in the annual program self-assessment and Program Information Report (PIR). Documents and track referrals, demographic information and other data as required for Program Information Reporting.

*In addition, performs other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in field related to social, human, or family services required.
• One year of continuous experience in a human service agency preferred.
• Good communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Good presentation skills for facilitating parent center committee groups and trainings.
• Ability to follow policies and procedures.
• Ability to serve as a productive team member on an intra-disciplinary team of professionals.
• Must be knowledgeable about and sensitive to each family’s values, beliefs, traditions, cultural influences, composition, and circumstances.
• Valid Driver’s License