Family Engagement Specialist — Head Start Programs

Description POSITION: Family Services Assistant

JOB CODE: PCSFSA

OCCUPATIONAL GROUPING: Parent, Family and Community Services REPORTS TO: Integrated Family Services Coordinator CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt POSITION TYPE: Full Time/Full Year (12-Months)

SALARY GRADE: 19

HOURLY PAY RANGE: $21.97 to $22.52 LOCATION: Pico Rivera, CA

PROGRAM SUMMARY

Plaza de la Raza Child Development Services, Inc. (Plaza) is a comprehensive early childhood education program with a focus on school readiness for children zero to five years of age. Developmentally appropriate services are provided for children from low-income families, zero to five years of age. Plaza de la Raza currently serves 674 children and their families.

DEFINITION

Under general direction, this position connects families to Head Start and Early Head Start with the appropriate health, nutrition, special needs, and mental health services through the integrated program services component and ERSEA system. This position manages a caseload and implements activities related to Early Head Start, Head Start, and state-funded programs. This position develops relationships with parents to encourage trust and respectful, ongoing two-way communication between staff and parents to create a welcoming program environment that incorporates the cultural, ethnic, and linguistic backgrounds of the families in the program and community. This position collaborates, with families, in a family partnership process that identifies needs, interests, strengths, goals, and services and resources that support family well-being, including family safety, health, and economic stability. This position encourages parent involvement and opportunities for parents to volunteer in the program.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

The Integrated Family Services Coordinator provides general direction and supervision.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Initiates outreach activities to ensure recruitment of eligible children.
• Conducts family assessments to determine eligibility for program services.
• Recruits, establishes a waitlist and enrolls eligible children into the program to obtain and maintain 100% enrollment.
• Provides resources to families for emergency assistance or crisis intervention and follow-up.
• Serves as a liaison between the Head Start/Early Head Start and state programs and community-based agencies to enhance services.
• Engages families in the Family Partnership process for each family to identify needs and strengths provide resources as needed and establish a family goal.
• Obtains signed permission slip for and ensures all health and nutrition screenings are completed, including but not limited to audio and visual testing.
• Assists family in arranging appointments and follow-up visits as needed (i.e., medical, dental, social services agencies, and local education agencies).
• Follow up with families on requirements for the age-appropriate schedule of well childcare, developmental screenings (audio/vision), dental care and immunizations.
• Conducts hearing and vision screenings and height/weights measurements to facilitate appropriate referrals.
• Initiates referrals for services aligned with Plaza de la Raza’s policies and procedures.
• Establishes and maintains direct communication between the family, site staff, and content area coordinator/specialist.
• Monitors child’s attendance and initiates a parent conference to discuss frequent absences of a child and to problem solve obstacles to regular attendance.
• Inputs and monitors all relevant Child and Family data through the record-keeping system established by Plaza de la Raza.
• Ensures compliance with ERSEA through maintenance of an ERSEA file for each enrolled child and monitors files against data input to ensure accuracy and completion.
• Ensures compliance with Health and Safety requirements and monitors child’s health file to ensure required timelines and/or follow-up is completed.
• Participates in the parent orientation, interdisciplinary team, child’s IEP/IFSP (if requested), parent meetings, and monthly center meetings.
• Participates in Transition planning for children entering and exiting the Early Head Start/Head Start, and state programs.
• Submits monthly, monitoring reports and corrective action to supervisor.
• Assists other staff in conducting home visits when necessary.
• Attends monthly training and conferences as required by the agency and/or grantee.
• Other duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Knowledge of: Head Start Performance Standards, funding terms and conditions for California funded programs, including Title 5 and 22, grantee GIMS and the Head Start School Readiness Framework. The principals of a Family Partnership Agreement, the Referral process and family dynamics, Child Care Licensing requirements, principles and practices of social service and health services available in the local community, Family and Community Engagement Framework to support family well-being. Practices to strengthen relationships between parents and their children, and ongoing learning and development activities/opportunities for parents and children. Ability to: Implement requirements across all funded programs, follow agency policies and procedures, grantee GIMS, maintain working relationships with staff, children, parents, outside agencies, maintain confidentiality of child and family information, work with a culturally diverse population, awareness and sensitivity to individual differences and cultures, communicate effectively both orally and in written form, implement family engagement strategies, demonstrate respect for individuals and groups with varied cultural, racial, ethnic, religious, and linguistic identities and backgrounds be flexible to work various schedules based on program and/or family need.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Associate degree or a Family Development Credential (FDC) and a High School Diploma. Experience: One year of experience in parent involvement or social service setting assisting economically and socially disadvantaged families.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS

• Successful completion of an initial health examination, performed by or under the supervision of a physician, to determine, at a minimum, of the prospective employee can perform requirements of the job description physical requirements.
• Proof of the absence of Tuberculosis, from a physician to that the prospective employee is cleared to work with children and families.
• Documentation of current immunizations against influenza, Measles, Mumps, & Rubella (MMR), and Pertussis (TDAP).

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Fingerprint clearances from the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Child Abuse Index prior to starting employment.
• Completed and signed statement of any pending and/or prior criminal arrests/charges/convictions related to child sexual abuse, child abuse and neglect, and/or violent felonies.
• Verification that determines eligibility for employment in the United States of America.
• A valid California driver’s license and the availability of private transportation or the ability to obtain transportation to perform position duties is required.
• As a mandated reporter of child abuse, must immediately report any suspected child abuse and/or neglect to Child Protective Services.
• Bi-lingual in a language reflective of the population served is preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met, or are encountered, by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit and climb or balance. The employee may frequently lift and/or move up to twenty-five pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

MAINTAIN PROFESSIONAL AND ETHICAL STANDARDS

• Maintains confidentiality in accordance with Agency policy and legal requirements.
• Respects and maintains rights and privacy of all staff, parents, and children.
• Attends mandated trainings and meetings, and seek out staff development opportunities.
• Works as a team member with all staff and maintain a positive work ethic.
• Acts conscientiously in performing routine duties.

Adheres to Plaza de la Raza's Standard of Conduct which indicates that staff members are required to adhere to the following codes of conduct:

1. Respect and promote the unique identity of each child and family and refrain from stereotyping on the basis of gender, race, ethnicity, culture, religion, or disability;
2. Follow program confidentiality policies concerning information about children, families and other staff members;
3. Maintain visual observation of children at all times and not leave any child alone or unsupervised while under their care;
4. Use positive methods of child guidance and will not engage in corporal punishment, emotional or physical abuse, or humiliation.
5. Not employ methods of discipline that involve isolations, the used of food as punishment or reward, or the denial of basic needs.
6. Not solicit or accept personal gratuities, favors or anything of significant monetary value form contractors or potential contractors.
7. Maintain respect and promote professional relationships with the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE), families, staff and children.
8. Refrain from the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of alcoholic beverage, controlled substance, and tobacco products in the workplace or at any activity funded by federal or state funds.
9. Maintain adherence to LACOE, state, or federal mandates, including but not limited to program eligibility determination regulations for Early Head Start, Head Start or state preschool services.
10. Enrolling pregnant women and children that are not eligible to receive Early Head Start or Head Start services.

BENEFIT PLANS

Plaza offers eligible employees the opportunity to select plans and programs that meet individual and family needs through our comprehensive benefit plans listed below: Health Care: Medical (Kaiser), Dental (Sunlight), Vision (Sunlight), Long Term Disability Insurance, Life Insurance, Accident, Hospital and Critical Illness Coverages. Financial: 401(k) Plan Paid Time Off: Vacation, Holidays, Sick Leave, Bereavement Leave and Jury Duty Work/Life Solutions: Employee Assistance Program (EAP) & Employee Assistance Service for Education (EASE)

APPLICATION PROCESS

1. Complete an online employment application on and submit the required documentation: 1) Resume; and 2) Transcripts reflecting degree and major or Transcripts of High School/GED and FDC certificate. Only complete application packets will be considered for the screening and selection process.
2. Submit official transcripts prior to date of hire.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Plaza de la Raza Child Development Services Inc. is an equal opportunity employer to all. Plaza de la Raza Child Development Services is committed to creating a community in which a diverse population can learn, live, and work in an atmosphere of tolerance, civility, and respect for the rights and sensibilities of each individual regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation. #J-18808-Ljbffr Plaza De La Raza Child Development Services Inc