EHS Family Service Specialist

SUMMARY: Family Services Specialist is responsible for assisting in the planning, monitoring and implementation of family support, health systems, and services. Under the direction of the (EHS-CCP) Director, the Family Services Specialist provides resources, coordinates referrals, participates and coordinates parent meetings, including but not limited to Policy Council.  
 
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 
•    Assists in recruitment, planning, and full implementation of the ERSEA. 
•    Recruits and enrolls children using the established priority and eligibility systems 
•    Assists in identifying and recruiting eligible Early Head Start families, including the recruitment of children with disabilities. 
•    Responsible to assist and ensure that families apply and receive Child Care Assistance (CCA) and the continuation of. 
•    Coordinates, organizes, and maintains a waiting list at assigned partner sites. 
•    Implement a full Early Head Start program using a case management approach to provide services to children and families. 
•    Conducts monthly file audits, review and revise forms yearly, and provide appropriate feedback to the EHS-CCP Director.   
•    Establish a welcoming environment, family centered relationship, and encourage parent volunteerism 
•    Implements Family Partnership Agreements that support family well-being, including family safety, health, and economic stability; and foster parental confidence and skills that promote the early learning and development of their children. 
•    Conducts an individualized needs assessment to identify family strengths and needs related to the outcomes described in the Head Start Parent Family and Community Engagement Framework, including family well-being, parent-child relationships, families as lifelong educators, families as learners, family engagement in transitions, family connections to peers and the local community, and families as advocates and leaders. 
•    Works with families, center staff, and center director to help identify all needs of assigned children and families, including special needs of children and maintains confidentiality. 
•    Provides parent education for Early Head Start parents as required. 
•    Establishes links and working relationships with appropriate service providers/community agencies. 
•    Acts as a liaison and advocate for families to assure providers and agencies are user friendly to Early Head Start/Head Start families. 
•    Empowers and encourages families to make use of all identified resources. 
•    Works as a team with center director, teachers, staff, and community resources to plan and implement all required screenings and evaluations of children including health and disabilities. 
•    Ensures the completion of all screening, documentation, and follow-up services as required. 
•    Outlines clearly to parents the results of all screenings and evaluations and the need for additional follow-up services including immunizations, health, disability, and social services. 
•    Informs parents of the need to schedule and keep appointments for all screenings, evaluations, and follow-up services. 
•    Empowers and encourages families to participate fully in the program. 
•    Conducts home visits as needed to follow up on progress or to make contact when other means of communication/contact are lacking. 
•    Works as a team with center director, teachers and all other staff to plan and implement meaningful activities for families. 
•    Encourages families to participate in parent orientation, parent committee meetings, Policy Council and other parent activities. 
•    Works with teaching staff to plan home visits, parent/teacher conferences, and classroom volunteers. 
•    Educates parents regarding the Attendance/Tardiness Policy. 
•    Contacts parents to verify absences and document reasons for absences in the child’s file and ChildPlus 
•    Conducts periodic classroom observations to determine how assigned children are functioning. 
•    Documents information obtained through family contacts, disability services, and health screenings. 
•    Maintains confidentiality of all family information and records follows confidentiality Policy and Procedures. 
•    Empowers parents to develop and foster healthy self-concepts to assist parents in fostering healthy self- concepts in their children. 
•    Assists families in obtaining medical or employment information. 
•    Maintains current certification in Pediatric First Aid and Infant/Child/Adult CPR, and administers simple First Aid procedures in the event of an emergency. 
•    Performs any other task deemed necessary by the center director. Complies with Head Start Performance Standards, CPS licensing requirements, CPS mandated reporting requirements, and all other local, state and federal regulations. 
•    Participates in Professional Development experiences including participating on program quality improvement and evaluation committees. • Performs other duties as assigned. 
 

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE: 
•    Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or related field with 3 years direct service experience. 
•    Ability to prioritize and handle emergencies 
•    Experience working with low-income families and diverse populations. 
•    Excellent oral and written communication skills. Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred. 
•    Must possess proficient skills in the use of common office software for word processing, spreadsheets and databases. Ability to learn the use of ChildPlus databased system. 
•    Must be able to travel to meetings, families’ homes and other program sites. • Respect for family and staff confidentiality.