Family Support Specialist

Family Support Specialist

The Family Support Specialist serves as the link between families and community resources for children and families who qualify for Head Start and is responsible for supporting family well-being and encouraging parent involvement. The position works as part of a comprehensive team and reports to the Family Support and Engagement Coordinator. Family Support Specialists will serve as Center Director in the Center Director's absence.

Essential

Job Duties:

• Recruit eligible families or prenatal clients and assist with the application process.
• Establish partnerships with parents and other significant family members to create a welcoming program environment that incorporates the unique cultural, ethnic, and linguistic background of families in the program and the community.
• Accompany teachers on home visits or homebound educational visits.
• Support children's learning and development by coordinating opportunities for parents to engage in activities with their children at the center level and home.
• Assist parents with children's health needs by connecting them with resources for medical, dental, and emotional wellness.
• Provide information and referrals for emergency assistance and crisis intervention.
• Collaborate with teachers to provide parents opportunities to engage in their child's learning.
• Conduct strengths-based assessments with parents to assist them in identifying their family strengths and needs.
• Encourage parents to identify and pursue individual and family goals by providing information and resources to aid success.
• Act as an advocate for the family while also teaching and supporting parents to advocate for themselves.
• Present parenting education by using an evidence-based curriculum.
• Provide transportation, if necessary, for families who need assistance to access resources or medical appointments.
• Works collaboratively with the rest of Early Head Start/Head Start staff and service areas to include Education, Professional Development, ERSEA, Health and Disabilities, Emotional Wellness, and Nutrition to ensure delivery of integrated services.
• Complete progress reports and regular documentation. Maintain files with strict client confidentiality objectively and professionally.
• Plan, facilitate, and encourage parents to be involved in regular parent meetings, informational meetings with community speakers, and Parent Cafes.
• Provide training and information to parents on life skills (finances, nutrition, health, child development, and parenting.
• Provide guidance to parents with parent fundraising activities and Highlight Head Start events.
• Represent Head Start and create partnerships for referrals by attending area agency and other community meetings.
• Complete Family Credentialing process as required by Head Start Performance Standards.
• Maintain effective working relationships with coworkers and community referral sources.
• Participate in professional development opportunities by attending monthly center and Family Advocate meetings, in-service training, and community seminars.
• Educate parents on the importance of in-kind, collect data and record in-kind into database for monthly reports.
• Collaborate with Center Directors to plan monthly parent meetings
• Participate in and attend monthly parent meetings.
• All employees are expected to adhere to OWBC ethics expectations
• Must be able to cooperate and work effectively with others
• Must be diplomatic, honest, and fair
• Regular and punctual attendance is an essential function of the position
• Perform other duties as assigned or as they become apparent
• Assist and be responsible for leading and monitoring the center in the absence of the Center Director

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to learn and implement Head Start Performance Standards and state and local licensing requirements.
• Ability to ensure compliance with regulatory agency requirements and policies.
• Knowledge of child development of children 0-5 years old.
• Ability to perform duties independently and to function well as a team member.
• Ability to lead group sessions.
• Ability to work with and communicate with diverse families and professionals.
• Ability to operate various word-processing software,…