Job Title

Job Description Summary :  Under the direct supervision of the Family Support Director, the Family Worker Specialist (FWS) will develop and maintain relationships with families and ensure they receive comprehensive services through their participation in the program. The Family Worker Specialist is also responsible for conducting community outreach efforts to identify and develop relationships with community-based organizations that provide other needed services to families. Hours:   8:30am - 4:30pm (Mon - Fri) Reporting Relationship : Reports To: Family Support Director Essential Responsibilities & Duties: Advocate on behalf of children and families. Develop and maintain meaningful, productive relationships with families. Refer and link children and parents to needed services including but not limited to: EI/LEA, WIC, housing, food pantries, medical clinics, etc. Work in collaboration with other staff and consultants to monitor, track and coordinate services for children and parents. Assist parents with understanding and implementing the Family Partnership Agreement in order to encourage and promote their overall development including achievement of self-sufficiency as well as positive development outcomes for their children. Support and partner with parents in positive role modeling. Help parents build their skills as parents in order to support growth, development, and education of their child(ren). Collaborate with Education Staff to facilitate children's transitions. Bridge families from Early Head Start to Head Start programs and services. Collaborate with Health and Disability Coordinator to recruit infants and children with disabilities into the program. Collaborate with Site Director in planning parent activities, encourage parent participation in program activities and obtain feedback from parents regarding the level of satisfaction with the services they receive. Participate in the evaluation of Head Start and Early Head Start services and ensure compliance with Head Start Performance Standards. Enter service data into CSD CARES/Salesforce or other management information system the agency uses for record keeping and monitoring of services. Maintain all site monitoring records and document services in a timely manner. Conduct enrollment/re-enrollment with families and enter into database. Coordinate, develop and implement a system for outreach and publicity for the recruitment, screening, and enrollment of eligible families. Provide office assistance as needed including, but not limited to filing, answering phones, typing, creating spreadsheets and recordkeeping. Attend family support team meetings, staff meetings, staff trainings, collaborations, and planning meetings. Assist with facilitating the process of gathering monthly and annual program information reports and assure accuracy of the content of such reporting. Be responsible in assisting with facilitating projects such as, but not limited to, Family Engagement activities. Ability to coordinate effectively with other team members, other Agency resources and outside services in addressing client needs. Adhere to Agency policies and procedures at all times, including the Head Start Performance Standards and the Department of Children and Family Services' childcare standards. Ability to work with co-workers, partner site stakeholders, and outside agencies professionally and tactfully while exhibiting a professional, businesslike appearance and demeanor. Work cooperatively with other agencies, entities, and individuals to identify services currently available and those needed by families enrolled in the Head Start or Early Head Start program. Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor. Must possess reliable transportation/personal vehicle to make all applicable site visits as needed; proof of valid driver's license and vehicle insurance is required. Must be willing to work outdoors for very brief periods of time. Assure that the Parent Center Committees is formed within the designated timeframes and that regularly scheduled meetings are being held monthly. Assure that the parenting curriculum is offered to parents on a regular basis, according to the requirements of the chosen curriculum. Maintain confidentiality of family records and information. Maintain professionalism in attire and demeanor. Attend agency and other job-related meetings and trainings as required. Perform other duties as assigned. Essential Competencies: Interpersonal Skills: Coordinate professionally and effectively with other team members, other agency resources, and outside services in addressing client needs. Foster positive working relationships with our clients, community, funding sources and regulatory bodies. Must work with other staff in a fair and honest manner while treating others with respect, compassion and understanding. Communication Skills: Communicate effectively and clearly orally and in writing. Comfortable managing conflict across team members and delegating multiple perspectives. Readiness to advocate for the needs of the children and families and other individuals served. Organizational Skills: Ability to analyze trends, identify patterns, and suggest solutions while collaborating with a team. Ensuring that all work is competent and completed in a timely manner. Skilled in time management and specifically can balance one's workload. Technological skills: Skillful in navigating Microsoft Office and related technologies to communicate with team and work on paperwork and documents. Willingness to learn and utilize modern technologies. Commitment to Mission: Comply with all Ada S. McKinley policies and procedures as outlined in the organizational operating procedures and human resources manuals. Participate in the Teamwork, Innovation, and Excellence initiative. Contribute to the One Ada Culture. Embrace and practice the concepts of a growth mindset. Child Development & Youth Services Core Competencies: Adaptable: Adjust to new conditions, changes, challenges, and experiences. Communicator: Is understood by others (both verbally and in writing) and understands the ideas and perspectives of others. Uses a Growth Mindset: Embraces their potential to learn and grow and views successes and failures as development opportunities. Has Integrity: Honesty, trustworthiness, ownership, accountability, and respect are hallmarks of integrity. Collaborator: Cooperates and works well with peers, colleagues, and team members by giving and receiving ideas, comments, and feedback with an open mind.