Bilingual Head Start Family Service Worker- Phoenixville

Chester County Intermediate Unit•Phoenixville, PA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Bilingual Head Start Family Service Worker supports parents in their role as their child's first and primary educator. The position links families with Head Start services, including nutrition, health, and education, and connects families with community resources. Experience and/or education allows some latitude in judgment and decision-making regarding families and children. This is a full-time position with the Head Start Program in the Division of Student Services of the Chester County Intermediate Unit, located at TCHS Pickering in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 7.5 hours per day, for 200 days per year.

Requirements

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in Social Services, Education, or Psychology.
Bilingual and biliterate in Spanish.
Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
Current police, child abuse, and FBI fingerprint clearances within one year.

Nice To Haves

Degree in Social Work strongly preferred.
Bicultural background strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain confidential profiles of pertinent information to identify families' needs, strengths, and goals.
Establish supportive relationships with families.
Conduct home visits according to established timelines to identify social needs, collect data, and obtain parental signatures.
Develop plans that empower Head Start parents to meet their own needs.
Respond effectively and efficiently to emergency needs of Head Start children and families.
Serve as a liaison between Head Start centers and families' homes.
Encourage parents to participate in the Policy Council, center parent committees, classroom volunteering, and other activities.
Advocate and speak on behalf of Head Start families.
Provide continued services to children and their families.
Maintain daily contact with the assigned Child Development Specialist regarding student and family needs, progress, behavior, special needs, absences, and required support.
Maintain ongoing contact with the Family and Community Engagement Specialist to discuss concerns about children, families, or services.
Report suspected abuse or neglect, child injuries, patterns of medical neglect, and related concerns directly to the Health Specialist.
Substitute in the classroom as a Child Development Specialist or Child Development Assistant when required.
Review and update information about family needs and goals in the designated database weekly.
Refer concerns about student needs to appropriate community agencies when raised by a specialist or parent.
Develop and maintain community partnerships that provide appropriate support to Head Start families.
Facilitate students' transition to school-age programs.
Maintain confidentiality in accordance with federal, state, and local mandates.
Document contacts and follow-up with parents, students, and agencies.