EHS Family Service Specialist

Job Location:

Irving, TX 75039

Summary:

Family Services Specialist is responsible for assisting in the planning, monitoring and implementation of family support, health systems, and services. Under the direction of the (EHS-CCP) Director, the Family Services Specialist provides resources, coordinates referrals, participates and coordinates parent meetings, including but not limited to Policy Council.

• Assists in recruitment, planning, and full implementation of the ERSEA.
• Recruits and enrolls children using the established priority and eligibility systems
• Assists in identifying and recruiting eligible Early Head Start families, including the recruitment of children with disabilities.
• Responsible to assist and ensure that families apply and receive Child Care Assistance (CCA) and the continuation of.
• Coordinates, organizes, and maintains a waiting list at assigned partner sites.
• Implement a full Early Head Start program using a case management approach to provide services to children and families.
• Conducts monthly file audits, review and revise forms yearly, and provide appropriate feedback to the EHS-CCP Director.
• Establish a welcoming environment, family centered relationship, and encourage parent volunteerism
• Implements Family Partnership Agreements that support family well-being, including family safety, health, and economic stability; and foster parental confidence and skills that promote the early learning and development of their children.
• Conducts an individualized needs assessment to identify family strengths and needs related to the outcomes described in the Head Start Parent Family and Community Engagement Framework, including family well-being, parent-child relationships, families as lifelong educators, families as learners, family engagement in transitions, family connections to peers and the local community, and families as advocates and leaders.
• Works with families, center staff, and center director to help identify all needs of assigned children and families, including special needs of children and maintains confidentiality.
• Provides parent education for Early Head Start parents as required.
• Establishes links and working relationships with appropriate service providers/community agencies.
• Acts as a liaison and advocate for families to assure providers and agencies are user friendly to Early Head Start/Head Start families.
• Empowers and encourages families to make use of all identified resources.
• Works as a team with center director, teachers, staff, and community resources to plan and implement all required screenings and evaluations of children including health and disabilities.
• Ensures the completion of all screening, documentation, and follow-up services as required.
• Outlines clearly to parents the results of all screenings and evaluations and the need for additional follow-up services including immunizations, health, disability, and social services.
• Informs parents of the need to schedule and keep appointments for all screenings, evaluations, and follow-up services.
• Empowers and encourages families to participate fully in the program.
• Conducts home visits as needed to follow up on progress or to make contact when other means of communication/contact are lacking.
• Works as a team with center director, teachers and all other staff to plan and implement meaningful activities for families.
• Encourages families to participate in parent orientation, parent committee meetings, Policy Council and other parent activities.
• Works with teaching staff to plan home visits, parent/teacher conferences, and classroom volunteers.
• Educates parents regarding the Attendance/Tardiness Policy.
• Contacts parents to verify absences and document reasons for absences in the child's file and…