Family Community Worker - Bilingual

Description:This position will promote family welfare and parent involvement programs and support the implementation of the family partnership process. Operate as a liaison between classroom and home settings in the areas of education, child development, and mental health.

Location: Birmingham, Alabama

Essential Job Responsibilities:

• Recruit and enroll eligible children and expectant mothers to ensure Head Start assigned enrollment to include children with disabilities.
• Verify the ages and income of families according to MAP’s Procedures and guidelines
• Replace vacancies according to procedures to ensure the center maintains complete enrollment.
• Assist with the preparation and mailing of parent surveys.
• Assist with the preparation and distribution of recruitment materials.
• Implement the Agency’s attendance plan policies as outlined in the Attendance Plan.
• Track children's attendance in assigned caseloads per attendance policies and procedures and record them in a computerized system.
• Manage a minimum caseload of 40-60 families.
• Assess each family at intake to determine family needs and individual family member goals.
• Utilize the individualized goal-setting process to link families with community resources to meet family needs (health, disabilities, nutrition, social services, mental health, etc.
• Assist families in developing Family Partnership Goals and other necessary follow-ups.
• Assess family goals and provide recommendations and referrals for relevant community resources.
• Maintain monthly contacts, i.e., phone calls, group activity, home visits, and classroom visits to promote partnership building and provide regular communication.
• Monitor progress on Family Partnership goals.
• Provide crisis intervention as needed.
• Prepare and distribute follow-up containing pertinent information requested by the family in a timely manner.
• Assist with kindergarten transition of child and family out of Head Start.
• Promote family literacy.
• Work with parents to establish and maintain regular attendance for their child.
• Arrange for and make home visits within two weeks of the infants' birth to ensure the well-being of mother and child; record results of visits in manual and computerized records within two (2) days of the visit.
• Plan and facilitate parent orientation to the program and assist the Center Administrator in implementing the center’s governance reorganization activities as requested.
• Advocate and collaborate with community agencies to support child, family, and agency outcomes.

Prevention and Early Intervention

• Assess the health status of each child and expectant mother in the assigned caseload in conjunction with enrollment intake no later than two (2) workdays of the child’s enrollment.
• Maintain regular contact with children in the classroom setting.
• Participate in referral and Special Education (individual family service plans/IFSP) processes as needed.
• Maintain ongoing contact with teaching staff to share relevant home information and gain information regarding child performance in the classroom.
• Provide information about Head Start health and nutrition requirements; support families in completing vaccination, physical, dental, and nutrition screenings.
• Schedule appointments for screenings within 45 days of the child’s enrollment; record in the manual and computerized records immediately.
• Request health supplies/equipment and forms for the center.

Requirements:

Knowledge/Skills/Experiences

• A B.S. Degree in Social Work with Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, or a related field that includes coursework in the principles of social work, child development, counseling, and/or psychology is preferred.
• Minimum of two years’ experience in a family social service setting preferred, including knowledge and experience relating to community resources for referrals to families in need of services.
• The skill and willingness to deal with sensitive family situations in a non-threatening and professional manner.
• Ability to set and maintain professional boundaries with families.
• Knowledge of early childhood education and intervention preferred.
• Computer literacy and familiarity with various applications such as word processing, e-mail, and the Internet.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Bilingual required

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person