Family Partner - HeadStart Family Service Worker

Job Title:

Family Partner - Head Start

Department:
Early Childhood and Family Services

FLSA Status:
Non-exempt

Hours/Weeks:
Full Year, Full Time

Bargaining Unit Position:
Yes

Level: 3

Hiring Range:

-

NEKCA Mission Statement:
To empower all generations in the Northeast Kingdom to grow, prosper, and thrive.

Family Partners at NEKCA support families in goal setting, child development, and wholistic family well-being. Recognizing that families are their child’s first teacher, NEKCA utilizes a strengths-based approach to help families thrive. Family Partners utilize a variety of strategies which may include home visiting, coaching, and offering enrichment activities like community playgroups. Family Partners are part of a larger Early Childhood Team at NEKCA that collaborates to provide seamless services that put families at the center.

• Carry out duties in compliance with HS Performance Standards, Content Area Plans, Vermont Child Care Licensing Regulations for Center-Based Child Care and Preschool Programs, NAEYC, and NEKCA Standard of conduct.
• Complete NEKCA Performance Evaluations, Professional Development Self-Assessment, and in partnership with supervisor, Individualized Professional Development Plan.
• Be aware of indicators of child abuse and neglect and comply with Vermont Mandated Reporter Law and program Child Protection Protocol.
• Participate in center staff meetings, monthly content area meetings, pre-service, and in-services and incorporate relevant knowledge and skills into practice.
• Attend and participate in staff, agency, and service provider meetings deemed necessary for job performance.

SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES: N/A, this position does not supervise any staff.

• Identify and recruit Head Start-eligible families and children, including children with disabilities and underserved populations.
• Complete the Family Assessment based on the Parent, Family and Community Engagement Framework, develop a plan that responds to the family’s needs; deliver and/or coordinate the delivery of needed social services for each family.
• Develop individualized Family Partnership Agreements (FPA) that describe the family’s goals, strengths, responsibilities and timetables and strategies for achieving these goals; review and revisit with families so the FPA remains current and useful.
• Provide comprehensive community resource information to families, individualizing to respond to the family’s needs and concerns to the maximum extent possible.
• Establish and maintain ongoing collaborative relationships with community organizations responsive to the concerns of the families of children birth to age 5, pregnant women and their families; participate in community awareness events.
• Identify crisis situations, such as child abuse and lack of basic needs, making referrals and follow up.
• Implement the parent engagement and education program, supporting the parents in their role as the primary influence in their children’s lives.
• Encourage parent volunteerism throughout the program; plan and implement parent meetings; encourage and assist parents with Policy Council involvement; document in-kind contributions.
• Assist parents with the process of transition into Head Start/Early Head Start Program and from Head Start to other educational settings.
• Encourage, aid in monitoring and recording the timely delivery of medical, dental, mental health and nutrition services to children; seek assistance on assisting families as needed.
• Promote child and family wellness and the support the establishment of a medical and dental “home” for each enrolled child.
• Collect child and family data and accurately enter into program software in a timely manner.
• Cooperate with other staff and classroom groups to maintain the smooth functioning of the center, which at times may require changes to meet the needs of the children.

Employees in this position work primarily in an office environment with moderate noise levels and controlled temperature conditions. The work involves sitting for extended periods of time, using a computer and other office equipment, and may require occasional lifting of up to…