Service Specialist

SERVICE SPECIALIST:

The Service Specialist supports enrolled families by fostering strong partnerships between families, the program, and the community. The Specialist ensures that families receive comprehensive services, including support in areas such as health, education, housing, employment, and parenting. This position promotes family engagement, self-sufficiency, child development, and school readiness.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, family services, counseling or a related field with no prior experience’ or high school diploma, four (4) years of experience working with the target population, and current certification or credential relevant to delivery of family services; or high school diploma, four (4) years of experience, and a requirement to obtain certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling or related field within 18 months of hire.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Build trusting relationships with families through regular home visits, phone calls, and face-to-face meetings.

· Provide case management services to assigned Head Start children and their families which includes monitoring of Head Start service areas delivered to them according to the Head Start Program Performance Standards, program policies, and program plan(s).

· Assist families in setting and achieving individualized family partnership goals.

· Provide referrals and follow-up for community resources such as housing, food assistance, healthcare, and employment services.

· Collaborate with community agencies to facilitate access and availability of services to support families.

· Organize and facilitate monthly parent meetings.

· Responsible for all required documentation in the child’s file and ensure it is timely, complete, and organized from the most recent to oldest.

· Conduct in-house health screenings of all enrolled children within 45 days of a child's enrollment and ongoing as required.

· Ensure children on assigned caseload have or obtain current physical and dental exams within the first 90 days of enrollment.

· Conduct in-house screenings (vision, hearing, lead, hematocrit/hemoglobin, height, weight, and blood pressure) of all children within the first 45 days of enrollment.

· Carry out home visits to families as needed or required to ensure 45-day screening deadlines are met.

· Enter case notes, referrals, screenings, etc. into the approved data management system to accurately reflect child and family outcomes.

· Provide follow-up support and referrals to families of children who fail health screenings.

· Help families secure health and/or mental health care after need is identified.

· Greet parents/caregivers and their children at the center.

· Complete application and intake of eligible children and families.

· Assist with recruitment of eligible children and their families. Recruitment may require evenings and weekends.

· Maintain accurate and confidential records of family eligibility, services provided, and follow-up actions.

· Enter family data in the program’s database system accurately and in a timely manner to record services provided.

· Collaborate with teaching staff, managers, and other team members to ensure holistic support for children and families.

· Maintain up-to-date documentation in compliance with Head Start Performance Standards and agency policies.

· Prepare reports and participate in audits and monitoring reviews as required.

· Stay informed about community resources and best practices in family engagement.

· Responsible for ensuring required documentation in all children’s program files is complete and organized from most recent to oldest.

· Participate in monthly Service Specialist meetings as well as all required meetings and trainings.

· Assist in classrooms or kitchen when needed.

JOB CHARACTERISTICS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

This is a professional position, which requires organizational and communication skills, judgement, tact, and diplomacy in contacts with other agency employees, community members, parents, and local government agencies. Strict adherence is required to all regulations concerning confidentiality. Good general health and the ability to lift and carry 55 pounds are essential. Background investigation to include fingerprinting is required. TB Skin Test and physical may be required every two years. Must be able to perform essential job duties with or without reasonable accommodation.

Youth Development, Inc. is an at-will employer. Employment is by mutual consent of the company and employee, and either may terminate the relationship at any time with or without cause or advance notice. This job is contingent upon funding; however, the availability of funding is not a guarantee of continued employment, nor does it imply any specific term of employment.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Supervised by the Center Director.