Head Start - Social Work Assistant 2, Family Service Coordinator; Oak Harbor

Family Service Coordinator

Head Start is a federal program that has been serving vulnerable children and families for more than half a century. We serve people experiencing homelessness, poverty, involvement in the foster system or child protective system, or any other family stressors that qualifying families may be experiencing. Head Start classrooms do not expel or exclude children due to behavioral issues or disabilities and special needs of any kind.

We recognize instead that individualizing for the specific needs of every child in a nurturing and supportive environment is how we best help all children reach kindergarten healthy and ready to learn. Center staff will have a responsibility to support the needs of all children in their classrooms.

This position works under the general supervision of the Center Manager and interacts extensively with parents and children. The Family Service Coordinator will greet and support parents and guardians at arrival and pickup daily, and will provide a contact point for visitors when the Center Manager is unavailable. May be assigned other duties and special projects.

This position will be assigned to a primary center location within the specified area, and may be moved on a temporary basis, or reassigned to a primary location within that same specified area if required to support program operations and effective centers. Travel to other locations will be required for some pre-scheduled meetings and trainings. May require an occasional alternate work schedule to support the needs of families, such as for Parent Nights and Activities.

This position works onsite, and the primary location is Oak Harbor Early Learning, located at 1080 NE 7th Ave., Oak Harbor, WA 98277 This position works 10.8 months per year and 38 hours per week. This position is grant-funded. The extension of the position is dependent on the continuation of funding.

Support family engagement and services

• Using strengths-based attitudes and strategies, orient families to the program in coordination with the center manager and staff;
• Prepare for, lead, and document family reviews with center staff;
• Complete needs assessments with all families and develop individual family partnership plans with all families;
• Develop support approaches and schedules that meet individual family needs;
• Make referrals to internal or community resources and follow up to ensure needs have been adequately addressed;
• Strengthen community collaborations to support families by maintaining current knowledge of community resources, sharing community service information with families, and building relationships during attendance of interagency meetings, community events, and other scheduled meetings with community partners.

Support families to complete program health requirements

• Collaborate with families to determine that they have access to continuous health care and health coverage. Assist families in acquiring health care and coverage as needed.;
• Work with staff and families to determine if the child is up to date on the age-appropriate Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) program for health and oral health in WA State.
• Ensure completion of 45-day sensory screenings and other health screenings in collaboration with center teams;
• Support families and collaborate with center teams to ensure children have proper documentation for chronic conditions and other health needs (e.g., allergies, food substitutions, etc.);
• Provide support to families in following up on any required treatment or referrals;
• Use the database for accurate and timely documentation for health and nutrition needs and follow-up actions.

Support program and center activities and requirements

• Facilitate Policy Council elections and support Policy Council representatives in planning and executing regular parent meetings;
• Attend all required center and program meetings and trainings;
• Complete tasks associated with the Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance (ERSEA) requirements, including the proper determination of family eligibility, ongoing recruitment, program orientation, and support for regular attendance of children;
• Have a general understanding of program school readiness goals and child goals at their center.
• Work with teaching staff in a positive and respectful manner. Support classroom activities or coverage at assigned times to develop that understanding and to deepen the family relationship by gaining experience with enrolled children. May also provide occasional emergency support to classrooms;
• Provide families with resources and activities that support school readiness. Assist families with transitioning children into kindergarten
• Serve as point of contact for the center in the planned absence of the Center Manager;
• Support program ongoing quality improvement through participating in program planning and assessment efforts by offering insights and observations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• The…