HS Community Engagement Specialist

Description

Gathering and providing resources, training and information to Child Development Staff and Child Development Families in order to give them the best opportunities to gain the knowledge they need to further the education and well being of children in their care.

Duties and Responsibilities

 

Each employee is expected to strive for excellence in the performance of their tasks in an efficient manner, exercising good judgment with a dedication to fulfilling the mission of the agency and service to others. Employees are expected to keep informed of community issues, regulations, new research, and trends related to their field of work. Each employee is expected to assist with fund development. Integration of agency programs and services places each employee in a position of cooperation: seeking advice from other employees; sharing of program information; and assisting in other work units when needed. All employees must be conscious of and develop habits in reducing waste, eliminating duplication of services, and improving productivity and cost effectiveness.

 

In the performance of the job, the following specific policies, procedures, and regulations should be adhered to:

 

Head Start Program Performance Standards

KCEOC Child Development Policies and Procedures

KCEOC Personnel Policies and Procedures

KCEOC Financial Policies and Procedures

KCEOC Travel Policies and Procedures

 

 

 

 

The duties of the Community Engagement Specialist include, but are not limited to:

 

• Acquire knowledge of and implement accordingly the Head Start Program Performance Standards.

 

• Work cooperatively with other Child Development staff in the planning, integration, and implementation of Early Head Start/Head Start program services for children 0 to 5 years of age.

 

• Become competent in the use of designated computer programs, and use properly in the management of the Child Development Program; assure that any staff that you monitor or may supervise understands the computer program applications and they follow procedural and coding requirements.

 

• Responsible for compiling designated reports in a timely manner; including, but not limited to: program activity reports for KCEOC Board of Directors and Policy Council, program information reports (PIR), and compilation of statistics needed in the Child Development Unit.

 

• Assist in the writing and development of grant packages to be presented to potential funding sources or in the renewal of grants by: the generation of ideas for projects and methods for their operation; providing information for specific ideas; and sometimes gaining community support for the proposed project.

 

• Assist in the development of the annual Training and Technical Assistance Plan

 

• Participate in the annual program self-assessment process which includes development and implementation of corrective action plans when necessary.

 

• Assist with Community Assessment process by collecting data about community strengths, needs, and resources in order to better serve Early Head Start/Head Start families.

 

• Gain a working knowledge of all programs operated by KCEOC for the purpose of providing information, making referrals and the delivery of integrated services to clients.

 

• Responsible for taking corrective actions in a timely manner to resolve any problems that occur in meeting the goals and objectives of the Early Head Start/Head Start program; be responsive to identifying barriers to effective performance of supervised staff and implementing written plans of action to overcome obstacles to effective performance.

 

• Provide technical assistance and expertise while working in a cooperative manner with all staff, parents and volunteers in the planning, integration and implementation of Early Head Start and Head Start services.

 

• Preserve the privacy of all children and families enrolled in KCEOC’s Child Development Program by maintaining the confidentiality and security of all family information.
• Have an understanding of the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework.

 

• Responsible for generating an appropriate amount of non-federal share (in-kind) that is reasonable and necessary for the operation of the Child Development Program.

 

• Represent KCEOC and their Child Development Program on interagency committees as well as other community organizations which would promote the Head Start/Early Head Start Program/Philosophy and result in positive community collaboration.

 

• Assist with file checks of all education and family services staff.

 

• Responsible for obtaining the annual required number of Child Development training

hours per local, state and federal regulations through KCEOC’s Pre-service training.

 

• Participate and offer suggestions in conferences, meetings, trainings and recruitment activities, representing KCEOC and the Child Development Program in a professional manner.

 

In addition, the duties of the Community Engagement Specialist include, but are not limited to:

 

• Develop, update and maintain written procedures to ensure transition services and family literacy services are provided to clients served by KCEOC C.D. Program.

 

• Gain a working knowledge of all transition related resources and family literacy related resources; train staff/ parents on the availability/usage of these resources

 

• Effectively collaborate with the Public Schools and Early Head Start and Head Start in all operating counties to ensure that transition services are being maintained and improved upon as needed.

 

• Gaining a working knowledge of community and regional resources for the purpose of identifying supportive social, health, educational, emergency and disability services available to Head Start/Early Head Start parents and children; developing and annually renewing Community Partnership Agreements.

 

• Will provide adequate support to Child Development staff, assuring family literacy initiative services are being offered and completed satisfactorily

 

• Develop systems that provide for ongoing written and verbal communication ensuring all Child Development staff and Head Start/Early Head Start parents are aware of existing transition resources, transition activities and the community needs in the area of transition.

 

• Provide parent trainings to Head Start and Early Head Start families in the areas of Parents’ and Children’s Rights and Responsibilities in the Education process.

 

 

 

• Attend end of the year transition meetings, when requested by teachers or FCA.

 

• Attend transition visits to Public Schools, whenever possible.

 

• Provide a listing of Head Start children transitioning out of Head Start to the Public Schools so that the Schools will be made aware of the number of children who will be attending their program from KCEOC Child Development Program.

 

• Assist in the transfer of records to the Public Schools, as needed.

 

• Complete graduation certificates for all children transitioning out of KCEOC Head Start program and completion certificates for returning children.

 

• Order pertinent materials and resources needed in the area of transition services.

 

• Organize and maintain time lines in which transition materials will be issued to parents being careful to ensure that materials are copied, collated and readily available for staff to deliver to parents.

 

• Be available to Head Start and Early Head Start staff and participating families for training and resource needs in the area of transitions into and out of the Head Start/Early Head Start Program.

 

• Assist in coordination of kindergarten registrations with public schools.

 

• Train staff in Adult/Child/Infant CPR and Infant and Child First Aid as needed. Track to ensure staff remains current with their certifications.

 

• Research, write and implement grants from local entities, whenever feasible.

 

• Maintain CLASS certification.

 

• Assist with education staff observations.

 

• Oversee and participate in community events, meetings, councils, etc.

 

• Organize/oversee any needed support groups for KCEOC children and families.

 

• Organize and/or be an active participant in any special projects, groups, trainings and meetings that affect KCEOC’s children, families, staff and the community. This includes, but is not limited to families affected by the Opioid epidemic.

 

• Preserve the privacy of all persons employed by KCEOC by maintaining the confidentiality and security of all staff information.

 

• Perform other duties as assigned.

 

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: Associates degree in the field of Human Services and or a comparable equivalent of secondary education and work experience; two years' work experience. Certifications as a trainer in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Adult/Child Infant by the American Red Cross, the American Safety Council or the American Heart Association Certification status as a trainer to certify other infant and child first aid by the American Red Cross or the American Safety Council

 

Additional Requirements: Valid driver’s license; reliable transportation; local travel required; occasional out of town travel