Family Services Coordinator - ELA@Happy Workers

Description

POSITION OVERVIEW: Responsible for recruiting children for the program, creating partnerships with parents and classroom teachers, and connecting families to resources. Other responsibilities include community assessment, eligibility, and enrollment, serving as a liaison between the family, center, and community, developing community partnerships, service coordination, creating plans and reporting outcomes.

I.  ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Recruit families for 100% enrollment. Maintain a waitlist to fill vacancies as they occur. Monitor absenteeism and contact families immediately for follow-up and documentation. Follow up with support planning and continue to document steps taken and progress as it occurs.
• Ensure enrollment records are accurate and meet all partner agencies requirements upon beginning the program and throughout the school year.
• Review parent handbook with parents and discuss their responsibilities to the center and assist with questions or concerns.
• Prepare paperwork for parents if a child is absent more than three days. Maintain doctor notes and excuses for the end of the month reports.
• Ensure each child has a health screening within 30 days and a dental screening within 90 days. Coordinate with local agencies/businesses to conduct the screenings onsite. Create a plan for children who are referred for more health/dental services.
• Plan and facilitate parent orientations. Work with all staff to create/guide/assist parent committee meetings.
• Develop a working knowledge of community resources. Organize a collection of resources onsite for parents/staff/visitors.
• Work with families to access necessary services and resources responsive to their interests, goals, strengths, and track progress in achieving family goals. This may be accomplished during home visits.
• Ensure parents have opportunities to enhance their skills and knowledge in areas such as growth and development, program curriculum, child assessment process, parenting mental health, community advocacy, and transition activities.
• Assist and support families in establishing and maintaining a “medical home”.
• Coordinate or refer families for continuing education and employment opportunities. Document and record progress for monthly reports.
• Arrange for education and other appropriate intervention including opportunities for families to participate in counseling or to receive information on mental health, substance abuse, child abuse and neglect, and domestic violence, including crisis intervention if needed.
• Provide services for children with disabilities and their families including referral and follow up with partnering agencies.
• Provide monthly parent involvement activities beyond the scope of parent meetings.
• Maintain ongoing contact with teaching staff in order to integrate family partnership goals with classroom efforts and gain information regarding child performance in the classroom.
• Provide support to teachers regarding planning, implementing, and evaluating family goals at least once a month.

• Maintain regular contact with children in the classroom settings.
• Submit a monthly report which will include, but not limited to, enrollment status, health/dental updates, family meetings, family involvement, community resources, and results of continuing education and employment opportunities for parents.
• Be an active member of a local board/committee that serves to offer better outcomes to children and families.
• Submit additional reports as needed and requested.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

II.  SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:

This position requires extensive contact with others and moderately complex communications as a regular part of the job. In addition, the candidate must have a high degree of independent judgment and be able to carry out job duties with minimal supervision. Candidates must also pass DCF screening requirements, have reliable transportation, and possess a valid driver’s license and automobile liability insurance.

Job skills such as high organization, positive and effective written and oral communication skills, and the ability to work closely with others are essential in this position. A warm, friendly personality is necessary for this position. Must be sensitive to the feelings and needs of others and be able to relate well to staff, children, and parents. A positive attitude and being flexible is a must. This may require the ability to work beyond the scheduled time, be punctual and available to be reached via phone when needed. Must possess literacy in email, word processing and internet navigation. Must also be able to lift at least 45 pounds.

#rclub

Qualifications

BA/BS degree in Social Work, Human Services, or related field preferred. Experience and training related to social, human, or family services may be substituted for degree, pending education waiver. Experience, training, and skills are required in assisting the parents of young children in advocating and decision making for their families. Knowledge of community-based organizations preferred. 

Bilingual preferred English/Spanish or English and other languages present in the area.

Salary : $21