Program Assistant - Family Services & Community Engagement

Helping Our Most Vulnerable Change Their Life Stories Volunteers of America is a non-profit human services organization committed to serving people in need, strengthening families, and building communities. VOALA provides a variety of social services to Los Angeles area communities such as Head Start programs, Upward Bound college prep programs, veterans’ services, homeless shelters, low-income housing program as well as drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Learn more at

PAY RATE: $22.65 - $23.84 PER HOUR

BENEFITS: VOALA offers competitive medical, dental, vision and retirement benefits.

HEAD START/EARLY HEAD START

Through our Head Start and Early Head Start programs, we work with children (ages 0 – 5) and their families to provide the skills, confidence and stable home life necessary for a smooth transition into kindergarten and beyond. Children also receive a broad array of health services including screenings and referrals, maintenance of immunization schedules, nutrition assessments and follow-ups, mental health assessments as part of initial screenings, and determination if any mental or physical delays are present. Children receive health and dental services and have access to ongoing and acute and routine health and dental care. Enrolled children receive healthy meals, along with an assessment of their nutritional needs and the necessary follow-ups. Nutrition education is available for parents and incorporated into daily classroom activities for the children.

JOB SUMMARY AND PURPOSE

The Program Assistant will provide support to Family Service Specialists or Community Partnership Supervisor in designated areas such as program governance and family and community engagement. Assistance will be provided in planning, intra-agency procedure formation, and coordination, personnel supervision, staff development and evaluation, inter agency liaison, mobilization of community resources, client advocacy, reports and referrals. Specific Duties Include: Provides support and training to Family Advocates as needed, including training for frequently used tools such as the Strengths and Needs Tool and the Individualized Family Partnership Agreement. Coordinate child plus user group on a monthly basis to provide updates and support for family advocates; Accurately review documentation for completion and conformity, check parent volunteer time sheets for accuracy, and review notes to ensure Family Advocates are conducting proper case management and follow-up with families; Compile data, prepare information, and submit reports and administrative forms in a timely manner; Assists with coordination of Policy Council and Parent Center Committee meeting clusters. Work with site staff to collect documents from the meetings to submit for EOM paperwork; Coordinate social service area activities with other area specialists such as Managers, Coordinators, Site Supervisors, and Family Advocates. Collect and process parent center activity requests and monitor site budgets; Assist staff in providing and/or referring families for appropriate services; Update site parent center boards to ensure all required postings are up to date; Assist with sponsored events such as the Parent Appreciation Day event for the EOY Parent Volunteers, coordinating transportation for parents as needed to policy council meetings and trainings, and coordinate holiday or referral donation pick up and distribution with family advocates.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

Services for this position must be provided on-site. As a result, the position requires incumbents to report to work on-site each day of active employment Provides support and training to Family Advocates as needed, including training for frequently used tools such as the Strengths and Needs Tool and the Individualized Family Partnership Agreement. Coordinate child plus user group on a monthly basis to provide updates and support for family advocates Accurately review documentation for completion and conformity, check parent volunteer time sheets for accuracy, and review notes to ensure Family Advocates are conducting proper case management and follow-up with families Assists with coordination of Policy Council and Parent Center Committee meeting clusters. Work with site staff to collect documents from the meetings to submit for EOM paperwork Coordinate social service area activities with other area specialists such as Managers, Coordinators, Site Supervisors, and Family Advocates. Collect and process parent center activity requests and monitor site budgets Compile data, prepare information, and submit reports and administrative forms in a timely manner Assist staff in providing and/or referring families for appropriate services Update site parent center boards to ensure all required postings are up to date Assist with sponsored events such as the Parent Appreciation Day event for the EOY Parent Volunteers, coordinating transportation for parents as needed to policy council meetings and trainings, and coordinate holiday or referral donation pick up and distribution with family advocates

MANDATED REPORTER

As service providers to the underprivileged and vulnerable in our community, all employees are considered Mandated Reporters, and must report any instance of physical or sexual abuse to proper authorities. Qualifications

REQUIREMENTS:

Must be able to pass a fingerprint clearance, background check, including criminal history, personal references, employment and education verifications Proof at the time of hire TB clearance within 6 months’ prior Annual Influenza vaccination (between Nov. 1st - Mar. 31st) Pertussis (whooping cough) and measles immunization Health screening at the time of employment Requires ability to interact with children in a busy environment including, but not limited to: Able to lift up to 50 lbs. Frequently kneel and squat Ability to move quickly

EDUCATION:

High School Diploma or GED equivalent

EXPERIENCE:

Minimum 6 month of experience monitoring & tracking program data. Minimum of 3 months of monitoring and analyzing data Experience networking with community partners

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

A.A Degree in Social Services or related field Knowledge of Early Head Start/Head Start program. Bilingual in English and Spanish (written and verbal) Demonstrates excellent organizational skill and attention to detail. Volunteers of America is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. This employer participates in E-Verify as required by the federal government and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment. #J-18808-Ljbffr VOALA