Family Engagement Specialist

Description

In accordance with Head Start Performance Standards and Great Start Readiness Implementation manual promotes family engagement to support the implementation of the family partnership process, including referral to CAA programs and other community programs to help them obtain needed services and meet established goals.  Staff operate as liaisons between classrooms and home settings to ensure families and children are actively involved in the program and have positive outcomes. Providing case management services to families on a designated caseload in a tiered approach. Responsible for recruitment, application, and maintenance of full enrollment for Children’s Programs.  Monitor enrollment and provide attendance support for preschool classrooms. 

1.    Know and function in accordance with Head Start Performance Standards and other program guidelines.  Awareness of philosophy and goals of the program to help parents become active advocates for their children.
2.    Follow all Agency policies, including Universal Precaution procedures and confidentiality policy.
3.    Responsible for maintaining a caseload of families, providing case management and support services in a tiered approach.
4.    Complete all required components of family services including family partnership process, family assessment, goal setting, and crisis support and referrals.
5.    Responsible for ongoing recruitment and working collaboratively with community partners to identify and serve eligible children and families, including attendance at community meetings and events.
6.    Participate in annual ERSEA training to ensure accuracy in determining program eligibility.
7.    Assist families with the application process (in office or on home visit) obtaining needed releases to ensure confidentiality.
8.    Responsible for coordinating team meetings to ensure families are supported in a holistic manner between inter-agency programs and community partners.
9.    Analyze attendance and follow up on issues of child absenteeism as required, providing families with support and guidance regarding the importance of attendance on school performance.
10.    Collaborate with community agencies to support child, family, and agency outcomes.  Ability to familiarize parents with available resources in the areas served by reviewing the Community Resource Directory and explaining 211.  Make referrals for families to CAA and other agencies and follow up on referrals within 30 days, to ensure that services are accessed.
11.    Responsible for maintaining current and accurate records, reporting, and data entry as required by the program, while maintaining confidentiality.  Complete data entry of information into databases as required in the areas of family service and ERSEA.
12.    Maintain regular contact with children on your caseload in the classroom setting and bus lines.  Provide help with teacher breaks, if requested.
13.    Help organize, plan, recruit for and implement parent training activities, workshops, events, and support groups as determined.  Ensure attendance of parents at meetings and training and serve as a mentor for parent representatives on Policy Council.
14.    Assist with transition of enrolled students into various program options or out of agency programming as needed.
 

Qualifications

1.    Education:  Bachelor’s degree in human services area required.
2.    Work Experience: Two (2) years’ experience in a related field, preferred. Any equivalent combination of education and work experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities for the position may be considered at the discretion of the CEO.
3.    Certification/Licenses: To maintain a valid Michigan Driver’s license. 
4.    Transportation: Must have access to reliable transportation throughout the workday. Must have the ability to travel outside the area, including overnight as needed for trainings.
5.    Basic Skills: Excellent written and oral communication skills. Must be able to maintain appropriate professional boundaries with clients and other professionals. Must be able to utilize data systems and complete basic mathematical calculations. Working knowledge of computer operations including database, word processing, email and internet.
6.    Problem Solving, Decision Making and Interpersonal Skills:    Must be able to utilize independent judgment to complete routine tasks.  Establish and maintain positive relationships with people of all economic levels, cultures, and capabilities.  Able to prioritize and make quick decisions in a rapid paced environment.  Must be flexible in attitude.  Promote teamwork. Participate as a team member with other Agency staff and as part of interagency teams. Maintain absolute confidentiality in all sensitive matters using tact and diplomacy to assist staff and clients, including when working with families in crisis.
7.    Physical and Mental Capabilities:    Able to work on multiple short- and long-term projects.  Must be conscientious and alert in a busy and often hectic atmosphere with the ability to handle numerous tasks at once.  Desk and field work, including home visits, to accommodate program families are required.  Ability to lift to 50 lbs. occasionally.