Family Development Worker Support Specialist

The Family Development Worker Support Specialist (FDWSS) is responsible for providing expert-level support to Family Development Workers (FDWs), ensuring compliance with program goals and documentation standards, and enhancing the effectiveness of Head Start services through strategic training, monitoring, and capacity building. This role requires advanced knowledge in social work, psychology, education, or a related field, and involves the application of this knowledge to support complex family services operations within the Head Start program.

Reporting to the Sr. FCE Coordinator, the Family Development Worker Support Specialist is responsible for providing high quality service to families, content areas and center staff plus supporting the Sr. Coordinator in administrative duties related to data integrity and record keeping. This role requires independent judgment and initiative to develop, implement, and evaluate effective service delivery models for families and Family Development Workers.

• Apply expert knowledge to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of family support services, ensuring that program goals are met and that services are delivered holistically.
• Lead the development and maintenance of high-standard documentation practices, ensuring that all records are accurate, up-to-date, and comply with agency and program requirements.
• Oversee the implementation and continuous monitoring of systems that track the delivery of family services, utilizing advanced knowledge of compliance and record-keeping protocols.
• Design and conduct specialized training programs for Family Development Workers, focusing on enhancing skills in compliance, documentation, and the use of agency tracking systems.
• Provide ongoing coaching and mentorship to FDWs, helping them identify strengths, areas for development, and strategies for improving service delivery.
• Prepare comprehensive reports on compliance and service delivery for internal leadership staff, demonstrating a deep understanding of Head Start Performance Standards.
• Conduct regular visits to Head Start centers to support management staff in documentation, compliance, and capacity‑building efforts.
• Provide guidance, training, and oversight to all new Family Development Workers.
• Conduct reviews to ensure the program is following program requirements, laws, regulations, and organizational policies.
• Enroll children according to Head Start regulations using agency procedures.
• Develop, evaluate, and review policy and procedures manuals for the Family and Community Engagement department.
• Provide expert recommendations to management on improvements to service delivery.
• Identify common needs among FDWs and collaborate with management to develop targeted activities and interventions that address these needs.
• Coordinate the integration of Head Start services across multiple domains, ensuring a cohesive and effective approach to family support.
• Actively participate in program planning and self‑assessment activities, contributing expert insights to improve overall program operations.
• Accurately complete all assigned paperwork and documentation, on a timely basis, according to agency policies and procedures.
• Assist Senior Family & Community Engagement Coordinator.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Minimum education:
  
  Bachelor’s degree preferred in Social Work, Psychology, Education, Sociology, or related field. Experience in Early Head Start/Head Start desired but not required; a combination of lesser education and experience may be considered.
• Advanced knowledge of compliance requirements, record‑keeping, and Head Start Performance Standards.
• Proven ability to conduct professional training sessions and workshops.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Years of experience: 2‑3 years.