Family Services Coordinator

SUMMARY

Under general supervision of the Sr. Family Services Coordinator, the Family Services Coordinator is responsible for the implementation of the ERSEA, Child Health and Developmental Services, Child Health and Safety, Child Nutrition, Child Mental Health, Family and Community Partnerships, Pro-gram Governance, and Disabilities Services. Components per ACFY Performance Standards and program policies and procedures. The FSC promotes, in conjunction with other Head Start staff, active parent engagement in the Head Start Program and community; and assists the parents in assuming the primary responsibility for the welfare of their family.

PRIMARY DUTIES

• General
  • Participates in the implementation of Parent Orientation.
  • Participates in the annual Self-Assessment process.
  • Utilizes the COPA data management system input data, enroll, document, and track services to children and families.
  • Participates in the completion of the annual Program Information Report (PIR)
  • Maintains accurate and updated family files for each child enrolled in the head start program.
• ERSEA
  • Establishes and carries out effective outreach initiatives to recruit children and families for the Head Start Program.
  • Completes the intake interviews to determine eligibility of families for program and maintains a waiting list.
  • Assists in the Selection Process and placement of children into the head start program.
  • Monitors attendance of children in assigned classrooms and assists parents in alleviating barriers to daily attendance.
• Child Health, Safety, & Nutrition
  • Maintains accurate and updated individual health records on all Head Start children, manually and electronically.
  • Helps to provide health education for parents, staff and children and links the child and the family to an ongoing health system. Identifies and utilizes state and local resources for the health program.
  • Is responsible for identifying community partners and scheduling required preliminary health screenings of all head start children.
  • Assists in evaluation of the effectiveness of the health services component and serves as an advocate for child health issues and services and assists in evaluation of the effectiveness of the health service component.
  • Serves as a liaison to the health community, and an advocate for parents regarding health issues.
  • Nutrition Assessment and Planning for Children:
    • Obtains nutrition assessment information (growth assessment and health history) for each child enrolled in Head Start.
    • Assists in the review of each child's nutrition needs, including identifying special diets/allergies and restrictions.
    • Assists in the evaluation of the information collected in a. and b. above for use in nutrition treatment programs and/or nutrition education programs and disseminates to appropriate staff.
    • Helps to assess need for nutrition education for children, staff, and parents and plans training accordingly.
  • Facilitates the implementation and oversight of the Health Services Advisory Committee, as assigned.
  • Coordinates various activities with other components and community agencies to meet identified needs of children and families.
• Disabilities/Mental Health Services
  • Actively recruits children with special needs for the head start program.
  • Supports teachers and/or parents in the program referral process.
  • Attends staffing, child development team meetings, and/or IEP meetings for all assigned children.
  • Supports and empowers parents to advocate for their child with special needs.
  • Obtains parental consent for all disabilities and/or mental health services for all assigned children.
  • Serves as a liaison to facilitate the relationship between parents and disabilities and/or mental health staff as needed.
  • As assigned, serves as the coordinator of disabilities and mental health services facilitating the identification, referral and diagnosis process.
• Family & Community Partnership
  • Orients parents to the head start program and their roles as head start parents.
  • Assists in the development of a comprehensive plan for the parent engagement component. In cooperation with parents and other staff.
  • Assists parents in the completion of the family strength assessment to determine family strengths and identify goals that parents wish to work on while in the head start program.
  • Develops community partnerships with agencies to address the needs of head start families and children and implements activities around parent training, and or support groups to meet the goals of the families.
  • Works with staff in involving parents in all aspects of head start, including education, health and social service components and educates them to parents' roles and needs.
  • Collects and maintains records which document parent involvement in the program.
  • Makes periodic home visits for families to provide additional support, when needed.
  • Assists staff and parents in evaluating parent involvement in the program.
  • Utilizes all available resources to complete required records and insure their confidentiality.
  • Refers parents to available resources in the community that address identified goals/needs; makes and accepts referrals for children and families to and from other agencies.
• Program Governance
  • Recruits parents and community partners to support the mission and goals of the head start program.
  • Educates parents on the importance of program governance.
  • Assists the director in orienting parents to their rights, roles and functions as a part of program governance, including training parent representatives for participation in policy committee and council and developing advocacy skills for their child and families.
  • Attends meetings, when assigned, to support parents on the committees.

SECONDARY DUTIES

• Assists the Director in representing the mission and interest of Head Start as a program of St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore to external groups, organizations, and service providers.
• Assists with and attends special events held by the Center and St. Vincent de Paul as necessary.
• Assists with and attends special events held by the Center and St. Vincent de Paul as necessary, attends meetings etc.
• Supports a welcoming and positive environment for all families and volunteers and works with them effectively.
• Creates an atmosphere of care and respect for staff, volunteers and clients
• Some nights and weekends required.
• Upholds the vision, mission and values of St. Vincent de Paul.
• Participates in regular grant meetings.
• Assists with and attends special events held by St. Vincent de Paul.
• Attends, and as necessary represents St. Vincent de Paul in, external meetings and events.
• Other duties as assigned, within the scope of the position.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's Degree in Human Services or related field, required.
• 2 years' experience working directly with low income families and adult groups in human service, required.
• Spanish and English proficiency, preferred.
• Demonstrated skills in gathering, organizing and integrating information.
• Demonstrated skills in outreach and knowledge of basic community resources for children and families.
• Demonstrated abilities in basic reading, writing and arithmetic skills.
• Demonstrated abilities in effective verbal and written communication.
• Ability to effectively communicate with children and adults.
• Ability to follow directions.
• Ability to develop linkages with the community.
• Ability to organize and facilitate group activities.
• Demonstrated commitment through participation in ongoing training necessary for the execution of job responsibilities.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

__X__ Primarily Indoor Work


TYPE OF WORK

___X__MEDIUM WORK: Lifting 50 pounds maximum with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects up to 25 pounds.