Family Assistant

Family Worker/Assistant

The Brooklyn Kindergarten Society (BKS) is the original "born in Brooklyn." We were founded in 1891, and for 130 years, BKS has helped provide high-quality early childhood education to working families. BKS has grown up with the borough and continues to be a leader in equitable access to early childhood education. We provide full-day, year-round academic experiences and care for children ages 2-5 years old. Our curriculum is play-based and marries together reading, writing, movement, and music, with STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) learning. Our goal is to ensure that Brooklyn's youngest learners have an equitable first educational step.

The Family Worker/Assistant is responsible for supporting the engagement, enrollment, and retention of families in the program. This position works closely with parents, guardians, and community partners to ensure that families have the resources, support, and advocacy they need to promote their children's growth and development. The Family Worker/Assistant builds strong, respectful, and culturally responsive relationships with families to promote positive outcomes for both parents and children, in alignment with the Head Start Performance Standards (HSPS).

Family Engagement & Partnership

• Establish and maintain professional, trusting relationships with families to encourage active participation in their child's education and program activities.
• Conduct Family Partnership Assessments and jointly develop individualized Family Partnership Agreements with goals tailored to family strengths, needs, and interests.
• Provide ongoing support, follow-up, and goal progress tracking in collaboration with families.
• Promote parent involvement in Policy Council, parent committees, workshops, and classroom volunteering.
• Work in partnership with the Director and center-based staff to plan and implement family engagement activities.
• Ensure families receive timely and accurate information and updates via ParentSquare.

Recruitment, Enrollment & Attendance

• Participate in community outreach (canvassing the neighborhood to distribute flyers and promote the program), student recruitment, and eligibility determination activities.
• Assist families in completing applications and required documentation for enrollment.
• Manage My Schools waitlist and support families with applying to 3K, Pre-K, and Kindergarten.
• Maintain enrollment and attendance records in ChildPlus.
• Support efforts to ensure consistent daily attendance and address barriers impacting attendance.

Case Management & Referrals

• Support families with the Committee on Pre-School Special Education (CPSE) referral and related services process, including supporting families with submitting referrals to CPSE, ensuring families are moving along in the process, helping families secure related service providers, and remaining in consistent contact with the families throughout.
• Identify family needs and link families to appropriate community resources and services (e.g., housing assistance, health care, employment training, counseling).
• Follow up with families to ensure service delivery and satisfaction.
• Advocate for families within the program and community.

Health, Nutrition & Wellness Support

• Assist parents in understanding and following up on medical and dental referrals, allergy documentation, and other health-related forms.
• Promote healthy practices and resources to improve family well-being.
• Ensure all health-related information and necessary medical documents are up-to-date and accurate in ChildPlus.

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential family and student records in ChildPlus.
• Collect and input student and family data and information in ChildPlus in an accurate and timely fashion, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and program requirements.
• Document all contacts, referrals, and follow-up actions with families in ChildPlus.
• Ensure compliance with all DOE/Head Start policies and agency procedures.

Collaboration & Teamwork

• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings with teaching staff, health staff, and management.
• Attend and assist with planning, organizing, and maintaining records of parent committee meetings.
• Communicate regularly with classroom staff to coordinate support for children and families.
• Participate in training, reflective supervision, and professional development opportunities.
• Perform Other duties assigned

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• A Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college, in Social Work, Human Services, Family Services, Counseling or related field
• Bilingual strongly preferred
• Candidates must demonstrate English language proficiency and basic computer skills.
• Experience with students with developmental disabilities, school systems, community resources and entitlements preferred.
• Must possess strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
• Must be able to establish working relationships with participants in need of supportive services