Family Support Specialist

Head Start Child Development Program
Available sites: Ukiah
Hours: 40 hours
Bilingual (Spanish/English) Pay Differential Available

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POSITION OVERVIEW

Provide comprehensive support to families enrolled in the Head Start Child Development Program (HSCDP). Ensure full compliance with Head Start Performance Standards across family partnerships, parent education, health, nutrition, mental health and disability services. Monitor progress and ensure all required deadlines and timelines are met.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Health, Safety and Compliance

• Responsible for the health and safety of children enrolled at the site while under our care.
• Maintain accurate documentation and complete all required paperwork within established timelines.
• Work with site staff to track the attendance, absences, and health requirements to coordinate services to families in accordance with program procedures.

Family Services and Support

• Assist with HSCDP enrollment paperwork and support enrolled families by assessing their strengths and needs, developing goals and making appropriate referrals.
• Support families in completing required health screening and services.
• ​​​​​​​Serve as a liaison between community resources and families, make referrals, and provide follow-up.
• ​​​​​​​Conduct home visits as needed and document all communication with families.
• ​​​​​​​Participate in team, case management, and child study meetings to coordinate services and provide families with information on assessments, screenings, disabilities and mental health.

Parent Education and Engagement

• Deliver parenting education services and provide families with health, dental, nutrition and other relevant information in both individual and group settings; participate in related training sessions.
• ​​​​​​​Encourage and facilitate parent involvement as classroom volunteers and other program activities.
• ​​​​​​​Assist in facilitating parent meetings and supporting the election and training of parent committee officers.

Outreach and Recruitment

• Actively coordinate and participate in ongoing community outreach and recruitment efforts.
• ​​​​​​​Maintain an active and compliant waitlist.

General

• Assist in the classroom, when needed, including covering teaching staff breaks.
• ​​​​​​​Responsible for generating, collecting and documenting Non-Federal Share Match.
• ​​​​​​​Attend scheduled meetings, trainings, and conferences as necessary; this may include occasional driving when located off site.
• ​​​​​​​Must complete 15 hours of professional development annually.
• ​​​​​​​Participate in regular reflective supervision sessions and self-assessment to promote ongoing professional development.
• ​​​​​​​For bilingual employees, perform all job duties utilizing dual language ability as necessary to provide optimum support and services for clients and HSCDP staff.
• ​​​​​​​Other duties as assigned or required.

ESSENTIAL WORK HABITS

• Align work behaviors in conformance with NCOs Purpose, Vision and Values.
• ​​​​​​​Participate in Head Start STRONG workplace culture initiatives.
• ​​​​​​​Report to work on time and obtain approval from supervisor for any changes in work schedule or absences.
• ​​​​​​​Maintain a strict commitment to confidentiality, in accordance with Agency and program policies and procedures.
• Follow the NCO Injury Illness and Prevention Plan, as well as all Agency and program safety protocols, procedures, and policies.
• ​​​​​​​Maintain focus on the assigned tasks.
• ​​​​​​​Take pride in creating a positive, efficient work environment.
• ​​​​​​​Treat co-workers and clients with respect.
• ​​​​​​​Represent NCO and its programs to the community in a positive light.
• ​​​​​​​Dress appropriately according to assigned job duties and responsibilities.
• ​​​​​​​Adapt constructively to change.