Helping our communitys most vulnerable with solutions that permanently improve livesCatholic Charities Community Services is currently seeking a professional, passionate individual who has experience developing partnerships and engaging with families to work in our Head Start program providing support to our staff, families and children.

JOB SUMMARY

Under the guidance and supervision of a Family Support Specialist Supervisor or designee, the Family Support Specialist is responsible for providing quality family services as described in the Head Start Parent, Family and Community Engagement Framework. The Family Support Specialist is required to demonstrate competencies needed to effectively build strong rapport with families and coordinate and implement effective practices that facilitate a comprehensive service program for children and families. The Family Support Specialist is also required to form strong partnerships with instructional and other staff, and provide a secure and engaging environment in which families can identify, set, and achieve goals in support their childs participation in program services and activities for the purpose of school readiness and later school success.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Family ServicesCoordinates a system for on-going recruitment and enrollment into the Westside Head Start and Early Head Start programResponsible for determining familys eligibility for services using internal data management system; documenting income eligibility and ensuring accuracy on all intake formsMonitors internal data management system and audits records for compliance and accuracyTranslates and interprets information and events to the familys home language and/or uses additional strategies and resources when lacking proficiency in the familys home language to ensure conceptual understanding and supportCreates and maintains a welcoming, inclusive, safe, and supportive environment to facilitate and encourage parent engagement and participation in program services, activities, and eventsMonitors the delivery of Family and Community Partnerships to ensure compliance with Westside Head Start policies and procedures, the programs grant plan, Federal Head Start Performance Standards and Head Start Act. Meets the individual needs of each family by completing a strength-based needs assessment with each family assignedDevelops family partnership agreements with clients; identifying and agreeing upon measurable goals and providing needed support and assistance to ensure families are successful in accomplishing their established goalsEnsures completion of all health assessments and screenings within 45 days of enrollmentEnsures the completion of all immunizations, physical/dental examinations, and follow up within 90 days of enrollmentInitiates and facilitates local community partnership agreementsParticipates and collaborates with local service agencies and advisory committees and maintains current information on available resources, issues, and trendsCollaborates with local agencies and programs to locate services and other resources for familiesIdentifies and coordinates training needs for familiesFamily EngagementBuilds positive relationships with parents/guardians and encourages family involvement in program activitiesSupports the implementation of the Strong Fathers Strong Families (SFSF) curriculum and engages fathers and other male guardians to contribute to the education of their children through their participation in program activitiesConducts individualized social service home visits as needed on family needs throughout the program year, to build a strong home-to-school connection and support child/family growth and development.

Maintains awareness of and contact with community based organizations and service agencies to utilize when coordinating parent meetings, training sessions, and social service home visitsProvides advocacy for participant families and links them to needed community services and resourcesProvides families with information about community organizations and events and encourages their participation and further involvement in community groups and activities to promote parent advocacy and leadershipIncludes and involves parents in planning Parent Center Committee meetings and facilitates committee meetings with instructional and other staffEvaluates the needs and identifies the interests of participant families and coordinates parent education activities in support of these needs and interestsTeamwork, Communication, and Professional StandardsMaintains appropriate communication with Head Start and Early Head Start teachers and other instructional staff and seeks out information and assistance from supervisors, managers, other staff, and parents as needed to provide services and fulfill job responsibilitiesWorks closely with other Head Start staff to promote and maintain a high level of parent participation in program activities and ensures that parents are aware of and understand the full range of options available to them in becoming actively involved in Head StartUnderstands the requirements of Mandated Reporter Laws and our program policy on Reportable Issues and demonstrates the importance of informing their supervisor/manager of any concerns about children and suspicions of child abuse and/or neglectDemonstrates dependability by arriving to work on time, maintaining regular work attendance, and following program procedures when needing to be absent from workAccepts responsibility for participating in the planning and achievement of team goals and objectivesPlays an active role in continuous self-assessment and evaluation of program servicesDemonstrates an ability to adapt to changing needs, problem solve, and incorporate innovations to fulfill program requirements and improve program servicesAccurately completes detailed documentation in our program database system which includes areas in Social Services, Health and ERESEA. In addition to documentation staff is required to conduct periodic reports within provided timelines to ensure compliance, follow up, accuracy and quality. Maintains confidentiality of personal information and the integrity of the record keeping processParticipates in staff development activities including in-service, training sessions, and meetings as requiredIdentifies own training needs for the purpose of fulfilling professional development requirements and individual growthSupports and assists other personnel by collaborating and supporting work activities as may be requiredPromotes ongoing commitment to excellence and continual quality improvement to ensure the highest quality of services to children, families, and staffOther duties as assigned

OTHER RELATED DUTIES

This position may require flexibility in scheduling to attend and actively participate in evening and weekend events, including but not limited to parent meetings, family engagement activities, community outreach events, trainings, recruitment efforts, program celebrations, and other agency-sponsored functions as assigned.

Prepares, and attends all meetings, trainings, and conferences as assigned. Maintains self and functional work environment.

Performs other tasks as may be required for the efficient comprehensive, integrated program. Is proactive in the program efforts to recruit and enroll families that quality for CEDS programs

REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required.

KnowledgeKnowledge of family studies and child development theory; specifically dynamics of socio-economically disadvantaged and culturally diverse families and early childhood developmentUnderstanding of the scholastic structures required for the coordination and delivery of a developmentally appropriate early education programFamiliarity with Head Start standards, requirements, goals, objectives, policies, and proceduresStrategies to motivate parents to become engaged in program services, activities, and eventsUnderstanding of and sensitivity to cultural differences within the community, program, and agencyTechniques for accurate record-keeping and data managementAwareness of community resources and available support servicesUnderstanding of Head Start Act and Performance Standards preferredSkillsDirecting individual and group activities for familiesProper English grammar and usageCommunicating effectively with a broad constituency including parents, community partners, teaching teams and other instructional staff, supervisors, managers, leaders, and other internal and external colleaguesMaintaining cooperative work relationshipsUsing, structuring, and managing time effectivelyUnderstanding, following, and carrying out written and oral instructionsCritical thinking and resourcefulness to overcome challenges and solve problemsManaging change and demonstrating adaptability, flexibility, and responsiveness to varying needs and situationsProficiency in Microsoft Office applications including Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and ExcelBilingual (English/Spanish) skills preferred; may be required for some assignmentsAbilitiesWork successfully with socio-economically disadvantaged and culturally diverse families in a high volume, data-driven environment of moderate complexityRead, understand, interpret, and apply rules, regulations, and policiesMaintain a structured schedule, adhere to timelines, and meet deadlinesWork evenings and weekends in support of program needs when requiredVisually and auditorily assess children/parents to ensure their safety and well-beingStand and/or sit for prolonged periods of timeLift children up to 40 pounds and assist them to the bathroom as necessarySit on floor and ambulate over uneven floor surfaces including stairs, steps, and playgroundsOther significant physical abilities include lifting/carrying/pulling, stooping/kneeling/crouching, reaching/handling/fingering, talking/hearing conversations and other sounds, near/far visual acuity/depth perception/accommodation/field of vision

Qualifications:

Education/BackgroundMust meet one of the following educational requirements:

High school diploma or equivalent and Family Development Credential (FDC) or Child Development Associate (CDA) certificationAssociate or higher degree in family studies, human services, social work, counseling or another closely related fieldAssociate or higher degree in any discipline with a minimum of twelve (12) credit hours in family studies, human services, social work, counseling or early childhood educationBaccalaureate degree in any discipline with a minimum of four (4) years of experience in social/community services working with socio-economically disadvantaged and culturally diverse children and families with approval of the Program DirectorMinimum of two (2) years of experience working with socio-economically disadvantaged and culturally diverse children, youth, and/or familiesProficiency in speaking, reading, and writing Spanish preferredCredentials, Licenses, and CertificationsMeets Arizona Department of Health Services (AZDHS) requirements for licensurePossesses or acquires, and maintains, Arizona Department of Public Safety Level One Fingerprint ClearanceProvides tuberculosis self-screening form annually. May also be required to follow recommendations for further tuberculosis testing, as applicableMeets federal Head Start employment requirements including physical examination at hire Possesses and maintains valid Arizona driver license (An individual must be 21 years of age or older to drive on behalf of Catholic Charities Community Services Westside Head Start)Reliable personal transportation and ability to show proof of current/valid vehicle registration and insurance with state minimum liability coverage.

Great Benefits:

Medical, Vision, Dental, Basic Life, Short-Term Disability, Vacation, Sick Time, 13 Paid Holidays, Flexible Spending Account (FSA), 403(b) with a match, EAP and a Pension Plan!

We Value Diversity!

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