Hill Country Community Action Association, Inc.

Head Start Job Description

JOB TITLE: Family Service Representative (10.5 month) FLSA STATUS: Exempt

REPORTS TO: Assigned Content Area Coordinator REVISION DATE: October 2023

DESIGNATED HEADQUARTERS: Mexia Head Start_________

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Family Service Representative (FSR) will ensure that each Head Start child and family is offered quality services. Strive to establish and maintain a positive rapport with each family, acting as an advocate and providing support services as needed. The FSR will work closely with center staff and content area coordinators (Education, Family ] and Community Partnerships, Nutrition, Health, Mental Health, and Disabilities, Eligibility/Selection) to implement a case management approach and every effort will be made to encourage and promote family self-sufficiency. The FSR will assist in the team-building efforts of each locally assigned center by attending center staff meetings and parent events, and by maintaining positive communication with the center staff and the community.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

(Education Content Area)

1. Maintain an awareness of classroom safety; address concerns with the appropriate staff as situations arise; report to center supervisory staff any classroom safety concerns that cannot be resolved at the center level. (Health Content Area)
2. Ensure safety is a priority in performing all job responsibilities. Ensure adherence to the safety policy.
3. Assist program staff (coordinators) and families with required screenings (hearing, vision, anemia, dental, physical exam, and immunizations.)
4. Work with program staff and families to ensure that health concerns (referrals) are completed in a timely manner.
5. Record progression or regression of health concerns.
6. Assist in developing a resource listing of local health providers.
7. Assist families with establishing a medical home.
8. Provide transportation for families to access necessary resources when needed.
9. Contact the area Health Coordinator for assistance as needed, and before a medical deadline has not been met, so that appropriate interventions can be implemented.

(Family and Community Partnerships)

1. Initiate the family partnership process, to include scheduling/conducting home visits, and completing family profiles.
2. Establish and maintain Community Partnership Agreements.
3. Develop and implement the Family Partnership Agreement (FPA) with families for the purpose of meeting identified goals; document all activities that relate to contact with families and specific program objectives in the individual child's file.
4. Maintain communication with each family (at least monthly), or as required by the family situation.
5. Coordinate with other agencies to ensure the accomplishment of family goals; identify any pre-existing family plans.
6. Ensure Child's photo and photo page are complete.
7. Follow up with family referrals (FPA's) to make certain that services are adequately provided.
8. Provide resource referrals to families to ensure that the FPA is achieved, or that family needs are met.

Job Description: Family Service Representative

Date: October 2023

1. Advocate for families by becoming involved in community services, and/or becoming knowledgeable of available local resources; assist in compilation of the resource directory.
2. Promote family literacy by encouraging continued education.
3. Work with all program staff to coordinate services; attend staffings as scheduled to communicate or refer for case management.
4. Work with all program staff to assist with transition services: into Head Start, from Head Start, or to another Head Start program.
5. Assist in the training and recruitment of parent or community volunteers.
6. Assist in compiling content area information for PIR. (Program Information Report).
7. Ensure that parents receive adequate information about their child's experiences at the center through daily contact and regularly scheduled parent meetings.
8. Demonstrate responsibility in parent-center relationships by knowing the families of the children, relating well to them, trying to strengthen the family; encourage parents to participate in the parent program and to share responsibilities with staff for success of group meetings and other parent activities.
9. Maintain community awareness and be able to provide resource referrals; project a positive image of the Agency to the community.
10. Coordinate with program staff to identify family interests, strengths, and goals.
11. Ensure completion of Volunteer TB Tests, Volunteer Notebooks, Volunteer Criminal History and Volunteer sheets/In Kind.
12. Responsible for documenting in Parent Notebooks regarding 1st home visit.
13. Responsible for conducting parent meetings to meet the needs that have been identified on the parent interest survey.
14. Responsible for completing parent newsletters.

(Mental Health/Disabilities)

1. Assist with parent transportation to assessments, appointments, or ARDs as needed. Transport only in extreme cases.
3. Obtain written parental consent as requested.

(Eligibility/Selection/Recruitment/Enrollment/Attendance)

1. Assist in recruitment efforts.
2. Screen applications to ensure accuracy, completeness and appropriate documents are attached (income).

(Child Abuse)

1. Support center staff when instances of child abuse occur.
2. Assist with the implementation of support services to families suspected of child abuse.
3. Promote child abuse awareness and our policies regarding child abuse at parent orientation home visit.
4. Perform any other duties as assigned by the Supervisor and/or Head Start Program Director.

JOB REQUIREMENTS: Must attend annual pre-service training in summer (date TBD upon interview).

EDUCATION: Minimum: High School diploma. Preferred education: Associate's or Bachelor's in Social Work or in a related field with experience in service delivery to the underprivileged, or experience in the Head Start program. Other preferred education: A CDA credential for preschool age children.

EXPERIENCE: A minimum of 1 year's employment with the Head Start program is preferred; knowledge of interviewing techniques and client sensitivity required.

SKILLS: Strong management and organizational skills, as well as an understanding of developmentally appropriate practice. The FSR must have the ability to communicate with and to motivate parents. Must be flexible and have well-developed written, verbal, and interpersonal skills. Must be able to maintain records,

Job Description: Family Service Representative

Date: October 2023

assist with reports, and clearly understand written or verbal instruction. Ability to work effectively with individuals from various ethnic, socioeconomic, educational, and cultural backgrounds. Ability to identify, assimilate, comprehend, and solve critical elements of various family situations (initiate solutions without constant supervision). Must be respectful of diverse cultural backgrounds; non-judgmental. Must maintain certification in hearing and vision screening, and in CPR/first aide (received within one year's employment.) CPR/First Aid certification is a collateral rather than primary duty of this position.

OTHER: Professional in manner and attire. No record of a conviction which would contraindicate employment. Must have a valid Class C driver's license and a reliable vehicle with current vehicle liability insurance; insurable under HCCAA's vehicle insurance policy. An initial Head Start physical screening within 30 days of hire. Must comply with all HCCAA Policies and maintain agency standards of confidentiality and courtesy in all phases of agency operations.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None.

EQUIPMENT TO BE USED: Must be able to operate a computer and other office machines such as fax, calculator, copier, and telephone. Must be able to drive agency vehicles.

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Requires sitting, standing, bending, reaching, and driving. May require lifting to 50 pounds. Requires manual dexterity sufficient to operate standard office machines such as computers, fax machines, calculators, telephones, and other office equipment. Requires normal range of hearing and vision.

TYPICAL MENTAL DEMANDS: Must handle new and diverse work problems daily. Personal maturity is an important attribute. Must be able to resolve problems, handle conflict, and make effective decisions under pressure. Must have the ability to listen objectively to people, perceive the real problem and assist in bringing issues to a successful conclusion. Must relate and interact with employees at all levels within the Agency. Bilingual skills are encouraged.

WORKING CONDITIONS: Occasionally called upon to work outside of the normal 8-5 working day or work odd schedules. Regularly travel to centers located in designated area while school is in session, or to meetings as required. Transport children to medical appointments as needed.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND RECEIPT: I have reviewed the Family Service Representative Job description and acknowledge its receipt with my signature below. I understand that my job may not necessarily be limited to those listed, as their exact nature may vary as program, project elements, and priorities change in the future. I understand that this job description may be updated as needed.

Salary : $17 - $18