Family Support Specialist - Head Start Preschool Redmond School House

Family Support Specialist

The job of Family Support Specialist is done for the purpose of providing quality, comprehensive child/family support services to preschoolers and their families; providing support, training and case management to assist parents in meeting the needs of their children and enhancing parents' role as the primary influence on their child's education and development and supporting parents in increasing their economic stability;

determining eligibility for program, enrolling families in program, enlisting parental involvement in child educational programs; working with parents in identifying and achieving goals; accessing support services; creating training programs; and facilitating positive parent, school and student relationships.

Essential functions include recruiting, selecting and enrolling eligible children and families for comprehensive services, assessing family and infant/child needs, assisting parents in various areas, orienting prospective participants, providing health screenings and immunization verifications, visiting children's homes, planning and facilitating family meetings, developing individualized health, nutrition, and family support plans, participating in workshops and meetings, reporting suspected incidents, providing outreach to low-income communities, administering Head Start program standards, assisting other personnel, and maintaining documents and records.

Skills and abilities

include identifying family strengths, planning and organizing, relating effectively with diverse backgrounds, building relationships, advocating for low-income families, and using various technologies and equipment.

Education and experience requirements include an AA degree in Human Services or Health with two years' experience in human service program, or serving low-income families preferred, or a BA in related health or human services field plus one year experience working with families, or a MA in human Services field or MSW. May substitute with a degree in other areas plus two years related experience and willingness to complete three college level courses specified by Head Start in the first year of employment.

Qualified former Head Start parents receive preference.

Special requirements include submitting initial health examination, obtaining a First Aid and Infant/Child CPR card, completing Criminal History Declaration form and fingerprinting, obtaining food handlers card, having access to a personal vehicle with insurance coverage and a valid Washington State driver's license, attending evening meetings, visiting families in their homes, providing transportation for parents and children, and having ability to provide an insured car.