EHS Family Support Specialist (FSS)

Base Pay $23.63 - $26.11 / Hour Job Category Family Support, Child Care, Case Work Employee Type Non-Exempt Title: EHS Family Support Specialist Employment Status: Full Time FLSA Status: Non -Exempt Reports to: Operations Center Director SELF Mission Support for Early Learning and Families (SELF) convenes and mobilizes partners and stakeholders throughout Southwest Washington to promote community awareness and advocacy for early learning, kindergarten readiness and school success for all children. Position Summary Role of Family Support Specialist : Family Support Specialist s explore, provide, and coordinate services and resource access with enrolled families . They coordinate family and Center community activities that support the mission of familial strength, healthy living, and overall well-being . Family Support Specialists are to bring support in a case management style and act as a liaison between families, staff, the community, and other family-related services. Utilizing a strengths focused approach, Family Support Specialists work to encourage and support famil ies to build self-efficacy strategies for their children and their family system . Building Relationships with Families Demonstrate unconditional positive regard for families with diverse and varying values, culture, socioeconomic status, and lifestyle circumstances. Work collaboratively with each family to recognize and identify the family’s strengths and needs. Establish and maintain professional roles and boundaries in the working relationship with families. Encourage families to take part in the c hild(ren)’s program. EHS and ESD 112 Program Performance Standards The Family Support Specialist is responsible for meeting program service goals and outcomes through case management within the Center and home visits environments, as well as phone and email contacts. The Family Support Specialist maintains all documentation and data collection in accordance with program and agency requirements. The Family Support Specialist participates in ongoing in-service training and educational classes for professional development as assigned and to meet ongoing Federal, State, and organizational training requirements. Qualifications and Skills An associate or higher degree with the equivalent of thirty college quarter credits of adult education, human development, human services, family support, social work, or related field. Thirty credits may be included in the degree or in addition to the degree. Experience working with children and families from diverse cultures and lifestyles. Willingness to maintain a flexible work schedule to meet the needs of enrolled families , including occasional nights and weekends . Knowledge of community resources and services available to children and families. Experience working in a Head Start, Early Head Start and/or ECEAP. Recent successful experience working with children and families in Infant, Toddler or Preschool settings. Excellent working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite, including Calendar, Sharepoint , and TEAMs. Ability to be very detailed oriented and able to meet projected deadlines for data entry. Experience providing comprehensive services to children who are birth to five years in one or more of the following content areas: health, early childhood education, nutrition, mental health, and/or children with disabilities. Bilingual in Spanish/English a plus. Essential Functions Resource s and Service s Navigation Provide comprehensive child and family services utilizing relationship-based family support principles in alignment with E HS and ESD112 program performance standards. Collaborate with other staff, as appropriate , to develop and support individualized family goals that focus on strengths, responsibilities , time tables , and strategies for achieving these goals. Complete the Family Needs/Goals Assessment 1 time a year. Th ese are used as guide s to help families evaluate their strengths and needs , and plan individualized goals. Develop Family Partnership Agreements with families. Conduct home visits and monthly contacts aligned with program service outcomes and goals situated within the family’s committed goals and/or needs . Maintain relevant knowledge of community programs and resources . Support families with referrals, access, and utilization of appropriate community resources, including medical, dental, social, educational, and occupational . Supporting families in scheduling appointments, as needed. Encourage and promote parent/guardian and family involvement in Center program activities through home visits, Community Connects, parent/guardian meetings, family events, P olicy C ouncil , wrap around meetings, etcetera . Participate in meetings, programs, and activities for families and staff. This may include occasional nights and weekends. Fulfill program deliverables in accordance with performance standa rds and timelines. Actively engage in Center program through classroom participation a minimum of 30-mintues bi-monthly. Support program continuation by occasionally substituting into classroom ratio in order to maintain Center operations. This includes supporting other C enters and varying age groups throughout SW Washington. Integrated Services and Supports Develop and maintain effective communication and working relationships with families, children, staff, community agencies and partners. Participate and/or conduct outreach, recruitment, enrollment, and orientation activities for families participating in Early Care and Education programs. Provide enrolled families with information about preventative health related services as required by program standards. Maintain knowledge of relevant resources and programs to provide information, make referrals, and deliver integrated services. Provide coordinated support during times of transitions involving the family and/or child through anticipation, communication, and collaboration with necessary stakeholders. Monitor attendance of enrolled children, contact family when child has been absent for extended periods of time without Center contact. Maintain consistent communication with families, Center staff, and interagency personnel utilizing direct, in person communication, phone calls, emails, and varying software platforms, such as ProCare. Actively p articipate in monthly case conferencing throughout the program year . Participate in Family/Teacher Conferences , as deemed necessary . Provide families with information and access knowledge for required child health screen ing s and exams within stated timeframe . Document refusals within defined timeframe , upon occurrence . Documentation Establish and maintain complete and accurate record s on all r equired program data bases and software, as applicable (ELMS, ChildPlus , ProCare, etc.) , meeting timeliness standards and deadlines. Document and track follow up needs such as Family Partnership Goals, health, dental, nutrition, growth assessments, hearing, and vision concerns. Send referrals to the Health Services Coordinator and/or Family Services Manager, as necessary and in a timely manner . Health information to be entered into databases and updated for medical, dental, mental, and nutrition. Maintain an accurate calendar to ensure program needs are met. Maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries regarding the exchange of pertinent information. Be aware of all Policies and Procedures. Maintain all required records and child files in an accurate and timely manner. General t imeline of documentation responsibilities (subject to change): Initial family contact MUST occur within 14 days from program enrollment . Conduct Pre-Assessment, Mid-Year, Post assessment correlate to the checkpoint calendar. Family home visits four times per year MUST occur within established timeline. Family contact documentation MUST occur within 7 days of contact event. Document all family relevant and necessary contacts and home visits. Update information into the necessary database s and child files. Participate in the developmental screenings process as requested, with timely entry of results/event into database . Other Duties Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a complete listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Employment Requirements Successful completion of a portable background check (PBC) and clearance through the Department of Children Youth and Families prior to working in program . Valid driver’s license or a reliable transportation plan and be able to work outside traditional working hours to occasionally meet the needs of our families. Participation in Washington’s State Training and Registry System (STARS) program required . Valid CPR certification including child/infant prior to working in program. Valid Food Handler’s Card required prior to working in program. Negative TB test completed within the previous twelve months prior to working in program . Documentation showing immunity to Measles, Mumps, & Rubella (MMR), either vaccination records or results of a Titer test prior to working in program. Completion of HIV/Blood Borne Pathogens training prior to working in program. This job operates with in a childcare center, family homes, and community environments. This job presents possible exposure to blood and bodily fluids or tissues and possible exposure to communicable diseases. Requirements Successful completion of a portable background check (PBC) and clearance through the Department of Children Youth and Families prior to working in program. Valid driver’s license or a reliable transportation plan and be able to work outside traditional working hours to occasionally meet the needs of our families. Participation in Washington’s State Training and Registry System (STARS) program req uired . Valid CPR certification including child/infant prior to working in program. Valid Food Handler’s Card req uired prior to working in program. Negative TB test completed within the previous twelve months prior to working in program. Documentation showing immunity to Measles, Mumps, & Rubella (MMR), either vaccination records or results of a Titer test prior to working in program. Completion of HIV/Blood Borne Pathogens training prior to working in program. This job operates with in a childcare center, family homes, and community environments. This job presents possible exposure to blood and bodily fluids or tissues and possible exposure to communicable diseases. Physical and Mental Demands The physical and mental demands listed here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The candidate must be able to observe c enter and interpersonal activities with accuracy in order to interact and respond effectively to children, families, and personnel. Candidate must be able to effectively communicate verbally with coworkers, children, and families. Summary Role of Family Support Specialist : Family Support Specialist s explore, provide, and coordinate services and resource a ccess with enrolled families . They coordinate family and Center community activities that support the mission of familial strength, healthy living, and overall well-being. Family Support Specialists are to bring support in a case management style and act as a liaison between families, staff, the community, and other family-related services. Utilizing a strengths focused approach, Family Support Specialist s work to encourage and support famil ies to build self-efficacy strategies for their children and their family system . Building Relationships with Families Demonstrate unconditional positive regard for families with diverse and varying values, culture , socioeconomic status, and lifestyle circumstances. Work collaboratively with each family to recognize and identify the family’s strengths and needs. Establish and maintain professional roles and boundaries in the working relationship with families. Encourage families to take part in the c hild(ren)’s program. ECEAP and ESD112 Program Performance Standards The Family Support Specialist is responsible for meeting program service goals and outcomes through case management within the Center and home visits environments, as well as phone and email contacts. The Family Support Specialist maintains all documentation and data collection in accordance with program and agency req uirements. The Family Support Specialist p articipates in ongoing in-service training and educational classes for professional development as assigned and to meet ongoing Federal, State, and organizational training req uirements . SELF is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, marital status or any other protected characteristic. Our organization is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status. #J-18808-Ljbffr DeKalb Health