Head Start Family Service Worker

The job of Head Start Program Family Service Worker was established for the purpose/s of providing support to the instructional program with specific responsibilities for enlisting parental involvement in students' educational programs; working with parents in identifying and achieving goals; accessing support services; creating training programs; and facilitating positive parent, school and student relationships.

Essential Functions

• Administers Head Start program performance standards for the purpose of ensuring program eligibility and compliance with established guidelines.
• Assesses family and student needs (e.g. conducts surveys, interviews, etc.) for the purpose of developing an action plan to remove barriers to child’s success in school.
• Assist in organizing and facilitating Parent Committees for the purpose of developing collaborative partnerships with families and active Parent Committees.
• Develops individual health plans, classroom learning plans, and nutrition plans for all enrolled children for the purpose of establishing family goals, plans, and success strategies.
• Maintains a variety of confidential and non-confidential manual and electronic lists and records (e.g. program participation, contact sheets, agency referrals, etc.) for the purpose of providing required information and/or documentation.
• Orients prospective participants (e.g. site tours, program overview and eligibility requirements, benefits, etc.) for the purpose of establishing familiarity with program, services, and required processes.
• Plans family meetings and parent involvement events (e.g. health and welfare, nutrition, counseling, etc.) for the purpose of providing for family support needs and complying with established guidelines.
• Processes documents and materials (e.g. program intake forms, reimbursement (billing) report/s, attendance reports, agency referrals, etc.) for the purpose of documenting activities, disseminating information to appropriate parties, and meeting program requirements.
• Provides parental support in a variety of areas (e.g. health, nutrition living skills, budgeting, job skills, goal setting, etc.) for the purpose of developing plans to remove barriers to child’s success in school through supporting the family in basic life skills.
• Reports suspected incidents (e.g. physical, sexual and/or substance abuse, contagious diseases, etc.) to appropriate parties for the purpose of maintaining students personal health and safety and adhering to Education Code, district and/or school policies.
• Responds to inquiries from a variety of internal and external sources (e.g. parents, community agencies, auditors, students, etc.) for the purpose of providing information and/or direction as may be required. This may not be a complete itemization of all facets of this position. 
• Visits families and students in their homes for the purpose of enrolling students in program, interviewing parents, informing parents/students of school and/or community resources and providing child development and parenting information.
• Participates in a variety of meetings, workshops and committees for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information required to perform functions and remaining knowledgeable with program guidelines.
• Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Requirements:

• Education Required: Bachelor’s Degree in Job Related Area
• Experience Required: Job related experience is desired