Family Support Specialist

Family Support Specialist

Location: South Shore Supervisor: Parent Family Community Engagement Supervisor

Welcome to Family Focus, where we're on a mission to empower families and their children across Chicagoland! Through our comprehensive range of holistic family support services, including center-based and home-based services, emergency assistance, prevention initiatives, early childhood education, after-school programs, and more. At Family Focus, we believe in the power of community support to unlock the full potential of our neighborhoods. With 11 centers already making a difference, we're excited to expand our reach and touch even more lives. That's why we're on the lookout for passionate individuals who share our vision to join our team as we grow and serve more families. Are you ready to make a difference? We want you to be a part of our journey!

The Family Support Specialist (FSS) provides services to families to improve their lives based on their specific goals. Social services include an evaluation of the families' strengths and needs, assisting with supportive programs (such as SNAP, TANF, or affordable housing, etc.), and providing referrals to education and job placement programs that assist families in need. FSS assists families with understanding and implementing the Family Partnership Agreement to encourage and promote their overall development, including achievement of self-sufficiency, as well as positive developmental outcomes for their children. FSS will conduct recruitment efforts for the Early Childhood Programs to ensure families with children birth to five, as well as pregnant women, are informed about Family Focus' Early Childhood Programs.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Enroll families in Head Start, PFA, CCAP, and preschool programs.
• Complete and maintain family enrollment information, assessments, health records, and documentation.
• Assist families with CCAP applications, follow-ups, and re-determinations.
• Build positive relationships with children, parents, families, and community partners.
• Monitor and document parent involvement and family service activities in CSD Cares and ChildPlus.
• Monitor children's attendance and follow up on extended absences, including conducting home visits when needed.
• Support families with accessing community and social-service resources.
• Help ensure smooth transitions between home-based and center-based programs.
• Encourage and support parent participation in program activities and governance.
• Assist with recruitment efforts by identifying community events, locations, and referral opportunities.
• Develop relationships with social-service agencies and community organizations.
• Maintain accurate, complete, and confidential child and family records.
• Follow Head Start/Early Head Start Performance Standards and professional best practices.
• Collaborate with teachers, coordinators, Family Support Specialists, and other program staff.
• Attend required supervision meetings, staff meetings, trainings, conferences, and agency meetings.

The ideal candidate will have the following education and experience:

• A minimum of a bachelor's degree in social work or human services from an accredited school is required.
• Must obtain a Gateways Family Specialist Credential Level 5 within 6 months of starting the position.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) is preferred.
• Minimum of two years' experience in Head Start/Early Head Start, which includes direct service. Knowledge and experience in the philosophy and practices of Head Start/Early Head Start early childhood education, and experience teaching/working with children ages birth to five.
• Knowledge of CSD Cares and ChildPlus system (preferred).
• Knowledge of PAT curriculum.
• Experience establishing and developing relationships with social service agencies to create partnerships for referrals and recruitment.

Salary: $48,600/year Schedule: Mon-Fri 8:30 am - 5:00 pm This is a full-time exempt position.