Position Purpose:   This position will promote family welfare and parent involvement programs and support the implementation of the family partnership process. Operate as a liaison between classroom and home settings in the area of education, child development, and mental health.

 

• Recruit and enroll eligible children and expectant mothers to ensure Head Start assigned enrollment to include children with disabilities.

• Verify ages and income of families according to MAP’s Procedures and guidelines.

• Replace vacancies according to procedures to ensure the center maintains complete enrollment.

• Assist with the preparation and mailing of parent surveys.

• Assist with preparation and distribution of recruitment materials.

• Implement the Agency’s attendance plan policies as outlined in the Attendance Plan.

• Track children's attendance in assigned caseloads per attendance policies and procedures and record them in a computerized system.

• Manage a minimum caseload of 40-60 families.

• Assess each family at intake to determine family needs as well as individual family member goals.

• Utilize the individualized goal-setting process to link families with community resources to meet family needs (health, disabilities, nutrition, social services, mental health, etc.

• Assist families in developing Family Partnership Goals and other necessary follow-ups.

• Assess family goals and provide recommendations and referrals for relevant community resources.

• Maintain monthly contacts i.e. – phone calls, group activity, home visits, and classroom visits to promote partnership building and provide regular communication.

• Monitor progress on Family Partnership goals.

• Provide crisis intervention as needed.

• Prepare and distribute follow-up containing pertinent information requested by the family in a timely manner.

• Assist with kindergarten transition of child and family out of Head Start.

• Promote family literacy.

• Work with parents to establish and maintain regular attendance for their child.

• Arrange for and make home visits within two weeks of the infants' birth to ensure the well-being of mother and child; record results of visits in manual and computerized records within two (2) days of the visit.

• Plan and facilitate parent orientation to the program and assist the Center Administrator in implementing the center’s governance reorganization activities as requested.

• Advocate and collaborate with community agencies to support child, family, and agency outcomes

Prevention and Early Intervention

• Assess health status of each child and expectant mother in assigned caseload in conjunction with enrollment intake no later than two (2) workdays of child’s enrollment

• Assess the health status of each child and expectant mother in the assigned caseload in conjunction with enrollment intake no later than two (2) workdays after the child’s enrollment.

• Maintain regular contact with children in the classroom setting.

• Participate in referral and Special Education (individual family service plans/IFSP) processes as needed.

• Maintain ongoing contact with teaching staff to share relevant home information and gain information regarding child performance in the classroom.

• Provide information about Head Start health and nutrition requirements; support families in completing vaccination, physical, dental, and nutrition screenings.

• Schedule appointments for screenings within 45 days of the child’s enrollment; record in the manual and computerized records immediately.

• Request health supplies/equipment and forms for center.

• A B.S. Degree in Social Work with Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, or a related field that includes coursework in the principles of social work, child development, counseling, and/or psychology is preferred.

• Minimum of two years’ experience in a family social service setting preferred, including knowledge and experience relating to community resources for referrals to families in need of services.

• The skill and willingness to deal with sensitive family situations in a non-threatening and professional manner.

• Ability to set and maintain professional boundaries with families.

• Knowledge of early childhood education and intervention preferred.

• Computer literacy and familiarity with various applications such as word processing, e-mail, and the Internet.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

 

• Frequent /significant decision and problem-solving ability.

• Ability to work as a team member, collaborating with parents and community resources.

• Frequent driving for home visits, sometimes in outlying areas.

• Regular kneeling, bending, and sitting on the floor to attend to the child’s needs.

• Occasional lifting up to 50 lbs.

• Must be able to work independently without intensive supervision.

• Must balance and prioritize workload and have strong time management skills.