EARLY HEAD START - FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SPECIALIST

EARLY HEAD START

• FAMILY

AND COMMUNITY SPECIALIST

Wailuku, HI 96793 $42,791

• $51,425 a year
• Full-time $42,791
• $51,425 a year
• Full-time Under the direction of the Director of Early Childhood Education, the Family and Community Specialist provides leadership, oversight, and expertise in the areas of family engagement, community partnerships, parent leadership, and ERSEA (Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance) services for the Early Head Start (EHS) Program.

The Family and Community Specialist supports implementation of the Parent, Family, and Community Engagement Framework, coordinates Policy Council activities, develops community partnerships, and ensures compliance with all Head Start Program Performance Standards related to family services and ERSEA. This position is responsible for ongoing monitoring, data management, recruitment activities, enrollment maintenance, and continuous quality improvement efforts to support positive outcomes for children and families.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Facilitate parent and community involvement and participation in Policy Council. a. Recruit parents and community representatives for Policy Council. b. Ensure parents and community members understand their role on the Policy Council. c. Schedule on-going training of Policy Council members as needed. d. Maintain a schedule of meetings (monthly). e. Ensure maximum participation and attendance at meetings. f. Staff Policy Council meetings and ensure timely completion of minutes (monthly). g. Ensure that Policy Council binders are up-to-date. h. Ensure that families have access to Policy Council minutes. 2. Develop and maintain partnerships with community agencies and service providers to increase resources available to enrolled families. Represent the program at community meetings, coalitions, and outreach events. 3. Work in partnership with all Content Area Specialists, Family Support Partners, Associate Director, and Director to assist families with challenges. 4. Work collaboratively with FSPs and Home Visitors to review content area Family Assessments and Family Partnership Agreements to identify resources for families and program staff. 5. Conduct ongoing monitoring by reviewing families' and children's files, observing home visits and socializations, and interacting with parents in the classrooms, when possible, to ensure families are meeting their goals. 6. Attend staff meetings and participate in agency in-service training and other meetings as required. 7. Participate in program planning and yearly EHS program self-assessment. 1. Work with the Director of Early Childhood Education in determining community needs and recruitment areas by conducting the Community Assessment. 2. Based on the Community Assessment and with approval of the Board of Directors and the Policy Council, update the criteria that define the types of children and families who will be given priority for recruitment and selection each program year. 3. Training all program staff and Policy Council members on the program's recruitment, eligibility, and selection process. 4. Maintain accurate ERSEA records, including recruitment tracking, applications, eligibility documentation, selection criteria, enrollment status, attendance monitoring, and waitlists. o Accept EHS program applications and verify applicants' eligibility before adding them to the waitlist. a. Ensure that at least 90% of the pregnant women and children who are enrolled in EHS must be from low-income families. b. Ensure that no more than 10% of the pregnant women and children who are enrolled may be from families that exceed the low-income guidelines but meet the criteria that EHS has established for selecting such pregnant women/ children and who would benefit from EHS services. c. Work with the Health/Disability Specialist to ensure that at least 10% of the funded enrollment is made available to children with special needs (disabilities). Develop and implement a recruitment process that is designed to actively inform all families

• with EHS-eligible children of the availability of services and encourage them to apply for admission to the program.

This may include coordination with MFSS Outreach and Resource Specialists (OARS), participation in community events, giving presentations with other agencies, using press releases, using family referrals, and receiving referrals from other agencies. 5. Work collaboratively with the Associate Director of Early Childhood Education in placing children in appropriate program settings. 6. Maintain accurate data within ChildPlus and other program databases and generate reports as required. 7. Analyze ERSEA and family services data to identify trends, barriers, and opportunities for program improvement. 8. Other program duties as assigned. Education and/or

Experience:

Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Human Services, Family Studies, Early Childhood Education, Psychology, Sociology, or a related field required. Must have at least one year of experience and training related to social services, human services, or family services. Must be well-organized, self-motivated, and able to work with minimal supe rvision. Good verbal and written communication skills are necessary; computer proficiency is desired; knowledge of early childhood development is helpful.

Language Skills:

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret technical procedures or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present and respond to questions from groups of managers and the governing body.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a number of variables that may arise. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those required of an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, and hear. Mostly sedentary work, occasional reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, or crouching. The employee should have manual dexterity to perform all clerical func tions , including filing, typing, and Xeroxing. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Little exposure to temperature, noise, or environmental extremes. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions . 1. Adhere to administrative and program rules, policies, procedures, and objectives. 2. Assist in the care and maintenance of program equipment and supplies. 3. Consistently report to work on time and ready to work at the appointed start time. 4. Provide proper notification when late or absent. 5. Adhere to and abide by the agency's Code of Ethics. 6. Report to work well-groomed and in compliance with the agency's dress code. 1. Adhere to productivity guidelines for the program and the agency. 2. Manage equipment, materials, supplies, and time within budget. 1. Use the values, philosophy, tools, and techniques of Performance Quality Improvement (PQI) to support the organization's quality in all daily work. 2. Actively participate in PQI education and receive relevant training. 3. Actively participate in committees, teams, and task forces as requested. 4. Develop action plans for performance improvement and understand what is necessary in order to meet the program's need and expectations. 1. Demonstrate the ability to interact in a positive and helpful manner with participants, visitors, volunteers, and staff. 2. Respect the dignity of all by maintaining their privacy, respecting confidentiality, and maintaining appropriate boundaries. 3. Exhibit a commitment to the organization's mission. 4. Reflect commitment to building a supportive work environment and maintain a positive attitude in the workplace and toward the job. 5. Project a good image in dealing with the public and is willing to make an extra effort to help build a quality and caring social services organization. 6. Demonstrate the ability and sensitivity to work with diverse cultures within the community. 1. Demonstrate effective communication skills by conveying necessary information accurately and concisely, listening effectively, and asking pertinent questions. 2. Communicate effectively with other programs and staff, both orally and in writing; can read and understand written material, and is able to write effectively to meet the job requirements. 1. Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with participants, staff, and others using a humanistic attitude (anticipates needs, is respectful, caring, and courteous). 2.

Teamwork:

interact with fellow workers in a way that promotes a harmonious and coopera tive working environment. 1. Adhere to safety, health, and regulatory requirements as described in the administrative and program operations, policies, and procedures. 2. Report incidents and unsafe work conditions to the supervisor.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must satisfactorily perform each essential duty. Other qualifications listed below are needed to adequately fulfill essential job duties. The position requires the ability to transport clients on an as-needed basis. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Current and valid driver's license. Current and clean driver's abstract. Current automobile insurance and safety check. Current CPR/First Aid certification. Current TB clearance. Computer literate in

Microsoft Word and Excel Pay:

$42,791.00

• $51,425.

00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) Dental insurance Flexible schedule Health insurance Health savings account Mileage reimbursement Paid time off Professional development assistance Tuition reimbursement Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person