FAMILY SUPPORT SPECIALIST

FAMILY SUPPORT SPECIALIST Meet Head Start and DCFS Licensing Attach education to interview Reports to: Family Services Team Leader Class Code: 4431 Pay grade: 6 AFHN FLSA: Non-exempt Hourly Wage: $23.05 NATURE OF WORK Serves the public and families of Head Start/Early Head start children in a variety of operations of various outreach and services within the Head Start division which targets low income, underserved population with children under the age of 5. Works with families for enrollment, conducting and assisting with ongoing consultations to inform clients of available services and resources within the community. Is able to develop an open and trusting relationship with families in order to assist the family in reaching outcomes leading to self-sufficiency. Advocates, refers, and follows up with services in collaboration with appropriate head start staff to aid in public awareness and recruitment activities for the Head Start/ Early Head Start program. DISTINGUISHING FEATURES Work involves responsibility for performing a variety of intake, case management, data entry, family needs assessments, referrals, outreach, research, public information, advocacy and other tasks. Work is characterized by consistent contact with clients, other public agencies, community organizations, and the public. Work is performed independently within a structured framework of applicable policies, procedures, rules, and regulations related to the area of assignment. Work requires competency in English as needed to perform essential job functions. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (These essential duties are only illustrative.) Maintains reasonable and predictable attendance. Maintains confidentiality of information regarding children and families Performs intake interviews, collects appropriate documentation to determine eligibility for program participation and makes inspections to verify information, as required. Recruits and screens for eligibility Attends meetings, trainings, and conferences; provides public information relative to program activities in response to citizen inquiries; meets with community and organization representatives, as necessary. May serve as technical resource person to a community group or related organization. Ensures the completion of Family Assessments and Partnership Agreements that address the family’s social service needs and goals. Consults and collaborates with supervisors, coordinators, and other service area staff to ensure timely screening processing and tracking family and child information such as health records. Consents for screening and evaluation, enrollment requirements, attendance and other documentation as required. Maintains accurate, up to date documentation of all contacts and information about families and children reflecting appropriate case management skills, particularly related to referral and advocacy. Follows-up on appropriate forms and ensures their confidentiality. Collaborates and responds to Head Start Site Coordinator and PACE Coordinator to ensure smooth site operations and teamwork. Relates program philosophy, activities, training and goals to families ensuring they are fully integrated into each Head Start or Early Head Site. Maintains a working knowledge, establishes linkages and develops contacts with appropriate community agencies and resources to aid in assistance of families for family services as needed. Maintains family, child, and staff confidentiality and follows policy and procedures for reporting suspected child abuse and neglect, mental health concern, etc. Transports families to and from other referral services in the community as necessary. Participates in and implements information received during orientation, training, annual program reviews and meetings as required by supervisor. Demonstrates the ability and initiative to identify potential problems and their solutions and inform Family Services Team Leader, Head Start Site Coordinator, and PACE Coordinator, if applicable. Prepares reports as required regarding, but not limited to family’s progress, recruitment and enrollment. Plans and facilitates parent events, training activities, and parent support groups. Assists with classroom coverage and bus monitoring as needed to meet program requirements and mandates. Carries out the best practice for safety procedures concerning children, staff, families, and community individuals. This includes but is not limited to understanding and implementing active supervision principles and the Code of Conduct. Assists with recruitment and enrollment of Head Start/Early Head Start eligible children including application, eligibility, and identification of special problems. Supports evening and weekend recruitment events. Supports the single point of entry with District #205. Assists with developmental screening. Collects and analyzes data related to family needs and progress a minimum of two times per year. Assists in organizing and facilitating community outreach and public relations activities. Assists in identifying and obtaining in-kind contributions. Recruits' parents of Head Start/Early Head Start children for participation in Policy Council Adheres to all mandates of local, regional, State and Federal regulations, as well as Department and Head Start policies and procedures. Develops partnership relationships with parents in the Head Start program, encouraging each parent/family to take an active role in their child’s educational experiences and to set and meet their own goals for self-sufficiency. Maintains reasonable and predictable attendance. SUPERVISION RECEIVED Works under the general supervision of the Family Services Team Leader, who allows some latitude and independence in carrying out tasks and assignments to completion. Work is reviewed occasionally for timely accomplishments of tasks, for overall results achieved, and the degree to which the work meets the needs of the client served by the Family Services Team Leader. SUPERVISION EXERCISED Supervision is not a responsibility of positions of this class, although functional direction may be exercised over other program or support staff in connection with various activities of the program. Employees may provide training in operational procedures, orient new employees, or assist in resolving unusual or difficult problems. WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS Work is performed in an office setting and in the field, and involves traveling throughout the city, and Winnebago and Boone counties. Work activities may also involve attending meetings and conferences, and training that involves out-of-town travel. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. SUCCESS FACTORS Ability to maintain confidently Knowledge of family systems and strategies to support self-sufficiency and school readiness. Knowledge of laws, codes, ordinances, policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and guidelines pertaining to the Head Start program. Knowledge of the mission, objectives, and available resources relative to the Head Start program. Knowledge of English grammar, punctuation, and vocabulary. Some knowledge of active supervision principles. Knowledge of community agencies and services that can be used as referrals. Ability to interpret and explain program information to others and to follow policies and procedures as well as city rules and regulations. Ability to complete and process forms, family assessments, health and safety checklist, and reports accurately. Ability to maintain required records and files. Ability to communicate effectively, in writing and orally. Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with coworkers, collaboration staff clients, and community organizations. Skill in the operation of a personal computer. EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE High School Diploma. Ability to obtain Family Services credential within 18 months of hire Experience in social work, human services, counseling, or related field, Bachelor’s Degree Preferred NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS Possession and maintenance of a valid driver’s license and evidence of vehicle insurance as required by state law. Must meet Illinois DCFS licensing standards and or Head Start Performance Standards. Residency Requirement: Modified November 15, 2021: All employees (except Police Sworn and Fire Sworn) hired on or after June 1, 2018, shall reside anywhere in Winnebago County or within fifteen (15) miles of Rockford City Hall (425 E. State Street Rockford, IL 61104) within six (6) months after their introductory period. Position : 000443101 Type : INTERNAL & EXTERNAL Location : HUMAN SERVICES HEADSTART Group : AFSCME C H Job Class : FAMILY SPT SPEC AFHN 49 WK Posting End : 08/31/2026 Details : BENEFITS