Family Services Specialist I

Under the supervision of the Family Services Manager, the Family Services Specialist I, holds a case load of under 30. Theposition requires working knowledge of relevant community resources, have a compassionate approach to working with children and families, and effectively interface with families of diverse economic, social, ethnic, and linguistic backgrounds


ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS / RESPONSIBILITIES

Community Engagement

• Familiar with recruitment plan and goals and maintains up to date on recruitment approach with families including providing required program literature and completing recruitment sign-up and reporting documents to track recruitment efforts.
• Participates in ongoing recruitment activities to engage families to ensure full enrollment (100%) and a minimum of a 20% waiting list. Activities include supervisor approval and may include the following: Twice a month participates in specified recruitment event and/or community canvassing.
• As requested by Supervisor, conducts recruitment presentations before community groups to establish communication and rapport between the community and agency, to publicize services available.
• Partner with all respective MNC programming to bridge families to resources. Including presenting resources available during monthly campus parent meetings, collaborating during special events, and internally referring families.
• Participates in community groups to assist in resolving emerging community issues concerning housing, immigration, education, and violence prevention, with supervisor approval.

Under supervision ensures and maintains compliance with Federal, State & City Regulations regarding eligibility for enrollment and attendance by:

• Ensures the integration of all programmatic funded strategies under the direction of direct supervisor.
• As CSPP and CCTR eligibility lead, conducts interviews with families to verify, fill out and collect required documentation of: age, residence, income eligibility and need status according to Head Start/Early Head Stat Federal Guidelines, California Department of Education (CDE)-CSPP and/or CCTR funding terms and conditions, including all respective contracts.
• Recertifies families under CSPP, CCTR or other respective contract annually or as eligibility and need status change.
• Understands and implements policies and procedures contained in Funding Terms and Conditions and requirements per Contract as it pertains to eligibility and need documentation, as well as the CDE Coordinated Compliance Review Training Guide.
• Completes outreach and enrollment verification and documentation of families utilizing mixed income service option.

• Generate and complete all required tracking reports for eligibility, enrollment, and attendance, on a timely basis.
• Monitors child attendance records, including running reports bi-weekly and analyzing data collected, and follows up on irregular attendance.
• Works with campus staff to ensure that the minimum 90% attendance rate is achieved.
• Performs computer data entry, filing, note taking, and other clerical duties as needed.

Ensures and maintains compliance with Health, Mental Health and Disabilities Requirements

• Provides health and nutrition education for children and parents, including subsequent follow-ups and referrals.
• Aids families with the completion of all medical/dental/nutrition forms. Including assisting families with referrals and follow-up in establishing a medical home/dentist. When needed accompanies families to appointments to establish a medical home or bridge families to desired services.
• Consults with appropriate Health/Nutrition and Mental Health/Disabilities staff regarding related concerns; makes appropriate referral and follows-up.
• Attends monthly campus Mental Health case consultation meeting to learn about child's needs, share family needs and discuss any strategies to support the wellbeing of the family.

Develops Family Engagement

• Familiar with Parent, Family, Community and Engagement (PFCE) framework in creating family engagement systems and experiences. Including HS/EHS and program policies and procedures to support family engagement and fatherhood involvement strategies.
• Establishes trusting, supportive, and professional relationships with families.
• Greets and engages families as their dropping off and picking up their children in the classroom. To develop relationships with families and teachers.
• Leads monthly campus case consultation meetings with teachers to exchange information on child/family needs, services being provided and discuss any other strategies to support families. Involves the Campus Supervisor, FSS, and Mental Health Consultant as needed.
• Works in conjunction with Admissions and Family Engagement Coordinator, Fatherhood and Family Engagement Coordinator, to assess families interests and overall service satisfaction.
• Works in conjunction with Campus Supervisor to develop a yearly campus family engagement plan to identify parent training and resources, as identified by parent interest survey and other sources of parent inquiry. This includes organizing and coordinating presentations: presenters, materials, and all other logistical needs.
• Works in conjunction with Campus Supervisor by assisting in coordinating and implementing individual and group campus family orientations, open houses and/or special events.
• Works in conjunction with Campus Supervisor to organize and implement monthly campus parent meetings, including: agenda, meeting minutes, logistical set-up and clean-up needs. Including resources and community presentations.
• Coordinates and facilitates training and/or support groups, such as: Abriendo Puertas, Male Warriors, Parent Cafes, and any other groups as identified by supervisor. Some training may require specific certification.
• Assists campus staff in maintaining parent areas organized and welcoming by updating parent information, and resources.

Provides Family Support Services

• Maintains confidentiality of all child and family records, organize case file documentation and completes daily family contact/comprehensive notes according to procedures.
• In accordance with HS/EHS regulations, policies and procedures, and the PFCE framework works in partnership with each family, develops Family Assessments and Individualized Family Partnership Plans (IFPA) to address family strengths and goals, and provides regular follow-up and support to assist families in achieving those goals. Must complete all required family partnership responsibilities according to program policies and procedures.
• Provides ongoing follow-ups according to families needs, such as: obtaining services for referrals provided, additional needs have surfaced needing support, new referrals or families experiencing a crisis. Families may receive as many ongoing monthly follow-ups as needed. They may be done in person or over the phone. Families who are unhoused or demonstrate other high needs are offered monthly ongoing follow-ups to maintain ongoing communication and provide families with support through listening to their needs and/or referring to desired services.
• Provides and documents short-term interventions by providing information, referrals, and resources to clients, with appropriate follow-up.
• Completes all required reports, forms, and documentation for family and community partnerships within all required deadlines.
• Keeps direct supervisor informed of high-risk family cases within 24 hours, situations include: parent complaints and or other sensitive parent issues, CPS, domestic violence, restraining and/or custody order, emergency assistance related to housing, food, etc, and any other high-need situation. FSS is expected to communicate these situations to their supervisor, to ensure management is aware of situations, ensure respective protocols and/or documentation is within compliance and identify any other supports the program may be able to provide.
• Works in partnership with parents, staff, and community representatives to coordinate family services and meet all Head Start Performance Standards, including the Parent, Family and Community Engagement Framework (PFCE).

Contribute to the Program and complete other duties as assigned by:

• Actively participates in professional development trainings per HS/EHS and respective program contracts. Professional Development training and/or conferences are with supervisory approval and connected with professional development plans and/or yearly employee evaluation.
• Participating in scheduled staff meetings, in-service and any other agency events.
• Meet as needed with the Supervisor to report, problem-solve, and plan regarding position responsibilities.

Customer Service

• Provide exceptional customer service.
• Always represent the Company in a professional manner.

Safety

• Maintain personal safety, use personal protection equipment (PPE) and follow Company policies.
• Report all and any safety issues, accidents or injuries to your manager as a matter of priority.
• Follows MNC travel policy and procedure to ensure safety while traveling for business purposes.

Effective Team Member

• Ability to interact positively with team members.
• Ability to facilitate positive change.
• Partner with supervisor when necessary to address department issues or concerns.

POSITION QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Education : Bachelor's degree in social work, human Services, family services, counseling, or related field. Without one of these related degrees, you will be required to complete a certification or credential, in one of the above fields within 18 months of hire.


Experience : Required 3+ years experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.


Requirements :

• Current Physical Health Screening (every 2 years thereafter)
• Fingerprinting Clearance (DOJ)
• Current Immunizations (TB, Influenza, MMR, Pertussis) (must be kept current)
• Clearance Child Abuse Index
• Current CPR & First Aid Certificate (every 2 years thereafter)
• Family Development Credential Certification
• Valid State of California Driver's License (current auto insurance and a clean driving record.)
• Meet required professional development hours. Also, must attend trainings that are required by funders (might be an evening or weekends)

Language(s) : Fluent, English/Spanish


Skills and Abilities:

• Personality - Independent thinker, possess excellent customer service skills, professional attitude, a high level of personal integrity, maturity, and business judgment required.
• Performance - Able to multi-task, prioritize task, meet deadlines, able to do presentations and to maintain confident information.
• Communication - Strong written and verbal communication skills. Must be a well-organized professional who thrives in a team-oriented environment.
• Stress Management - Ability to remain tactful under pressure and present a professional demeanor and communication style with co-workers in a multicultural setting.

Software: Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications: Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Internet Explorer.


Decision Making: Set priorities and standards of performance; Develop plans by which work can be accomplished.


Tools and Equipment: General office equipment, fax, copier, printer, phone, and computer.


Confidential and Sensitive Information: Maintain the highest level of confidentiality when dealing with client records.


Physical Demands


While performing the duties of this job the employee is required to sit approximately 80% of the time, walk 10% of the time and stand 10% of the time. The employee is frequently required to use hands and fingers to type or handle, feel, and operate objects. The employee is required to occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. While performing the duties of this job the employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms. Must be able to stoop, kneel, bend, crouch, crawl, and work with children on the floor for extended periods of time. The employee is frequently required to speak and listen. Specific vision abilities of this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.



What we offer

• Pay Rate: $33.00 - $36.41 Hourly
• Location: MNC Mission Campus
• Medical Kaiser and Balance / Dental Metlife / Vision Vision Care / Life Insurance - $50,000 / 403b 3% match / FSA / Pet Care
• 15 paid sick days / 12 paid holidays / 12 paid vacation days
• EAP (Employee Assistance Program) / WADP (Working Advantage Discount Program)

If you are seeking an organization that values, promotes, and develops leadership by delivering culturally sensitive, multi-generational, community-based services that empower families to build strong, healthy, and vibrant neighborhoods with the vision of a strong, healthier and more vibrant community that respects and celebrates its many rich, cultural traditions, please apply.


Please visit our web site for additional information on our Company web-site at:


We are an equal opportunity employer that welcome diversity in the workplace with a great company culture. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment, qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.