Essential Functions

Family Functions:

Provide family support services by partnering with assigned families, providing community resource referrals, and documenting all family services events and activities; partner with families in developing a Family Partnership Agreement including family goal plans; communicate regularly with assigned families documenting all communications in Child Plus.

Assist families with finding community resources and advocate for families seeking assistance from local service agencies.

Collaborate with teaching team to Provide support to families of children with disabilities.

Facilitate Parent and Child Connection (PCC) events in connection with site staff and PCC parent representatives. Coordinate the PCC parent meeting, training, event meal, parent/child activities, childcare, and Policy Council Representative elections as required by the Head Start Performance Standards.

Encourage parent engagement and participation with Heartland Head Start programs and activities. Document in Child Plus and case notes parent participation and volunteer efforts regularly.

ERSEA Functions (eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, Attendance)

Assist ERSEA as needed for all activities, including applications, eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance.

Recruit eligible children according to the Head Start Performance Standards, DCFS Licensing regulations, and Heartland Head Start service and recruitment plans.

Assist with recruitment outreach events and activities within the communities and social service agencies in the assigned area.

Meet and maintain a pre-determined caseload, waitlist, and new applications recruitment goals. Notify the ERSEA Specialist when openings in classrooms become available.

Ensure completion and accuracy of all new incoming applications and enrollment forms. Assist parents/families, as needed, with obtaining required child documents for enrollment.

Collaborate with ERSEA Specialist to maintain full enrollment and attendance in the classroom. Provide follow-up services when a child is absent and monitor attendance.

Assist with Recruiting Policy Council members and attend 1 Policy Council meeting annually.

Health, Fiscal, Classroom, Child-Plus documentation functions

Collaborate with teaching team to attend Beginning of the year and End of the Year Home Visits, Parent/Teacher Conferences, weekly team meetings, monthly site meetings and Daily classroom check ins.

Ensures all information is accurate and timely by utilizing the Child Plus database and /or Heartland Head Start Network Drive.

Complete and Document child health updates, daily attendance, Family engagement events, Family Service case notes, Family outcomes, Family Partnership agreement including (Family Goals, and Needs Assessments) and other relevant information as needed.

Assist the agency with Nonfederal match opportunities by maintaining partnerships with local community agencies to obtain continuous donations for events, families and other program activities.

Complete purchase request form as needed.

Qualifications and Job Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in social, human, or family services. Preferred.

• Minimum of 1-year experience working in a social, human, or family services organization.

• Competent computer skills including the ability to maintain an effective database for program reporting.

• Be able to work with families and colleagues from varied social, ethnic, and economic backgrounds.

• Employees hired after November 7, 2016 must receive an Illinois Gateways Family Specialist Credential within 18 months of hire.

• Must pass a DCFS background check.

• Valid Illinois driver’s license, automobile insurance, and reliable vehicle transportation.

• This position requires regular driving and must be able to safely operate an automobile on a regular basis.

Other Functions:

• Participate in a minimum of one local social service organization.

• Participate in registration and classroom orientation activities. Provide registration/orientation information to families that enroll during the year.

• Assist Health Manager with Hearing, Vision and Dental screenings as needed.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $18.99 - $23.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Flexible schedule

Ability to Relocate:

• Bloomington, IL 61701: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person