Family Engagement Specialist

Family Engagement Specialist

Location: Coos Bay & North Bend, OR

Program: South Coast Head Start

Reports to: Area Manager/Family Services Coordinator

HR Contact: View email address on click.appcast.io

Pay Level: Starting at $20.26 hourly, Depending on experience and qualifications

Staff Supervised: None

FSLA Status: Non-exempt from overtime

Effective: 1/2025

Position Type: Full Time; Seasonal

Revised: 1/2025

Job Description

PRIMARY PURPOSE:

To promote family engagement in all aspects of the program and provide family support services according to Head Start Performance Standards, program goals, and other funding source rules and regulations.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (Reason position exists is to perform these functions):

Parent and Family Engagement

• Complete child enrollment with each assigned family within required timeframe. Identify individual health and education needs, (i.e. - asthma, diabetes, behavioral) that require individualized service plans. Coordinate with parents, site team, program staff, and community partners, as appropriate, to develop, document, and communicate individual plans. Update as needed.
• Conduct two home visits per year with assigned families in the family's home environment to support safety, health, financial stability, life goals and aspirations. Provide additional home visits or contacts as needed. Maintain regular communication with all assigned families and classroom teams to provide information based on family's individual needs.
• Provide culturally responsive services. Provide information to families in understandable formats, including information for individuals with low literacy. Provide communication and materials in the family's primary language. Use translated materials and qualified bilingual staff or consultants, as needed.
• Promote parent leadership and volunteerism. Engage parents in site parent committees and recruit and support Policy Council representatives. Facilitate planning and implementation of parent meetings and activity days with site teams and parent leaders.
• Support site-based and program-wide parenting education classes and activities.

Health

• Provide information to families about preventative medical and dental care. Assist families with information and support related to ongoing access and follow up. Assist families to complete follow-up (i.e. dental, medical, nutrition, mental health, etc.)

Inclusion

• Support classroom team communication with families related to classroom safety or behavior concerns and facilitate problem-solving.
• Assist families in accessing needed services and supports to promote full, inclusive participation in early learning and school activities.
• Support families in accessing needed evaluations and supports for Early Intervention and/or Early Childhood Special Education programs. Attend meetings to provide parent support for placement and IFSP development and updates, as appropriate.
• Provide referrals and support for families in accessing health, behavioral or other specialized services, as appropriate.

Attendance

• Promote strong attendance habits. Provide information/education to families about the benefits of regular school attendance.
• Work with teaching team to track attendance and conduct a home visit for children with two or more consecutive unexcused absences.
• Provide individualized attendance support for families, including direct contacts, intensive case management, and attendance support plans.

Education

• Participate in each assigned classroom at least 2 hours a week as scheduled with teaching team and Area Manager. Ensure children are supervised at all times and never left alone with volunteers.
• Support parents as their child's primary educators with a focus on the whole child, including child education, child health, mental health, and nutrition. Encourage parent participation in the classroom, including invitations for parents to join site activities and mealtimes.

Other

• Complete timely documentation of services provided according to program policies and procedures.
• Maintain assigned company owned equipment and cleanliness of workspaces utilized. Report damaged or malfunction of equipment to supervisor, maintenance, or HR.
• Provide site and team support, including answering phones, providing data-entry assistance, purchasing supplies, and mentoring and supporting new staff.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by supervisor.

Team Expectations

Teamwork - We join our individual strengths together creating teams and circles of cooperation to promote innovative thinking and bring opportunity to our community.

Partnerships - We create collaborative community partnerships to best leverage all resources available for the benefit of the community.

Diversity - We welcome and accept differences and honor our co-workers and clients by treating each person with equality, dignity, and respect.

Confidentiality & Ethics - We maintain a high standard of ethics and integrity to respect the confidentiality of clients and staff.

Physical Safety - We respond promptly to address health and safety needs or concerns for clients and staff.

Communications - We encourage timely, open-minded, respectful, and direct communication to alleviate controversies and foster a safe, productive workplace.

Health & Sustainability - Recognizing the importance of physical, emotional, and environmental health, we seek to inspire and model healthy, sustainable living.

Public Relations - We recognize that each of us represents the entire agency in our public interactions and strive to act in a consistently professional and unbiased manner.

Professional Growth - We provide an environment supportive to personal and professional growth, cross training, and advancement.

Individual Expectations

• Model behaviors that demonstrate an understanding, acceptance and welcoming of diversity.
• Attend staff meetings, center meetings, and/or other workshops/meetings as notified.
• Maintain a positive attitude regarding ORCCA and all its programs.
• Maintain respect and positive communication regarding all children, families and staff.
• Maintain confidentiality of client and staff information.
• Maintain open, two-way communication with staff.
• Accept suggestions and guidance from supervisor and other management staff.
• Seek feedback on job performance and evaluate suggestions and guidance to incorporate in performance.
• Commit to further training. Develop an individual training plan using program tools, as appropriate.
• Communicate with supervisor regarding any needed changes or concerns with work schedule.
• Adhere to agency procedures as a mandated child abuse reporter.
• Regular attendance is a requirement of the position.
• Ability to perform the job with or without reasonable accommodations.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to meet deadlines.
• Ability to present and relate to diverse client populations.
• Professional appearance, presentation and demeanor always.

Experience and Education Requirements:

• Four years paid experience and/or training plus an Associate Degree or Certificate in a related field is required; OR
• Bachelor's degree plus two years' experience in a field directly related to the position description is required AND
• Previous experience with non-profit fundraising and/or community action experience is a plus
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong organization and time management skills.

Work Environment:

• Geographic Area: Coos, Curry, and Coastal Douglas Counties Primary worksite: Gold Beach, Oregon.
• May move or lift items up to 51 pounds.
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Primarily indoors, in a climate-controlled environment; may not have access to sunlight. Occasional activities outside in a non-climate-controlled environment.
• Potential for open workstations and cubicles with moderate to high noise; work from home where available.
• Some travel-Required ODL and proof of insurance (ORCCA Policy).

Other:

• Reliable method of getting to work.
• Must be free from illegal drugs, may be subject to suspicion testing.
• Must be enrolled in the Oregon Department of Education-Child Care Division