Family Development Specialist

General Position Description

The Family Development Specialist promotes family wellness and parent engagement programs. They also support the implementation of the family partnership process. Conduct recruitment, in-takes and enrollment activities. The FDS operates as a liaison between the classroom and home settings in the areas of Education, Child Development and Mental Health.
This Position Reports to the Assistant Director and is responsible for one Head Start classroom and two Pre-K classrooms.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required

• The skill and willingness to deal with sensitive family situations in a non-threatening and professional manner.
• Keyboarding skills, computer literacy and familiarity with various applications such as a database, word processing, e-mail and internet
• Must have a flexible schedule to accommodate family needs, will include some evening and weekend hours.
• Frequent significant decision and problem solving abilities.
• Ability to work as a team member collaborating with staff, parents and community resources.
• Ability to respond appropriately (both mentally and physically) to an emergency or a crisis situation.
• Ability to set and maintain professional boundaries with families.
• Frequent driving for home visits
• Must be able to work independently without intensive supervision.
• Must be able to balance and prioritize work load and have strong time management skills.
• Must have a valid Pennsylvania Driver’s License.
• Must obtain State Police and Child Abuse check prior to the first day of employment and apply for FBI Clearances.
• Must submit a Staff Health Assessment within 90 days of employment (to be updated every three years).
• Must complete a Tuberculosis Test immediately upon hire.

Educational Requirements

• Required: Have within eighteen months of hire, at a minimum, a credential or certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling or a related field.
• Prefer a minimum of two years of experience in a family social service setting that includes experience and knowledge relating to referring community resources to families in need of services.

Physical Requirements

• Occasional lifting of up to 50 lbs.
• Occasional kneeling, stooping, bending, and sitting on the floor to attend to children’s needs.

Employment Type
Full-Time

Key Responsibilities

• Establish mutually respectful partnerships with families to enhance the quality of their lives and their communities.
• Welcome families into the program and share information about transitioning into Head Start/Pre-K Counts. Support families' efforts to reach their goals.
• Complete family assessment, develop family goals with Head Start families and provide recommendation and referral for relevant community resources. Provide support and referral services for Pre-K families in need.
• Support families in accessing other community resources.
• Maintain monthly contacts (i.e. phone calls, group activity, home visits, and classroom visits to promote partnership and provide for regular communication).
• Monitor progress of Family Partnership goals with Head Start families.
• Assist families in crisis.
• Prepare and distribute follow ups containing pertinent information requested by the family in a timely manner.
• Assist with Kindergarten transition of children and families from Head Start.
• Assist FDM with data tracking
• Provide opportunities for children and families to participate in family literacy services.
• Work flexible hours to meet the needs of families.
• Work with parents to establish and maintain regular attendance for their child.
• Respect and respond competently to the culture, traditions, lifestyle, language, and values of each family and community.
• Participate in recruitment, intakes and enrollment efforts/activities for assigned sites.
• Assist with parent orientations to the program.
• Coordinate parent meetings assisting parents to take the leadership role.
• Offer parents' opportunities to be involved in-group activities, including policy groups and educational activities based on interest and need.
• Provide content for parent newsletter, memo and flyers as needed.
• Coordinate and integrate Head Start/Pre-K Counts services in order to enhance effectiveness.
• Advocate and collaborate with community agencies to support child, family and agency outcomes.
• Maintain regular contact with children in the classroom settings.
• Participate in referral and special education processes as needed.
• Maintain on-going contact with teaching staff in order to share relevant home information and gain information regarding child performance in the classroom.
• Provide information relative to Head Start health and nutrition requirements: support families in completing vaccination, physical, dental and nutrition screenings.
• Document and track follow-up needs, Family Partnership Goals, health, dental, nutrition, hearing and vision concerns.
• Document all significant parent contacts and home visits.
• Document support consultation to teachers regarding particular concerns with families at scheduled Staffing meetings.
• Report, document and monitor child abuse.
• Contribute to effective program practices and maintain a commitment to professionalism.
• Meet regularly with consultants and community collaborators to assure quality services.
• Attend meetings (Staffing and otherwise), training's, and appropriate professional development activities.
• Transporting Families
• Other duties as requested.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $17.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Bachelor's (Preferred)

Willingness to travel:

• 25% (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $17