ECEAP Family Support Specialist @ Early Learning Center

Moses Lake School District 161•Moses Lake, WA

18h•Onsite

About The Position

The Family Support Specialist (FSS) maintains an outreach recruitment and enrollment process throughout the school year. The FSS works in partnership with the site team to encourage and plan for parent participation in their child’s education. The FSS works together with families in an effort to support them in recognizing and building upon their family strengths and improving the conditions and quality of their family life. The FSS’s work will adhere to ECEAP Performance Standards, Service Plans, electronic reporting system, and the principles of best practice in the field of family support.

Requirements

An associate or higher degree with the equivalent of 30 college quarter credits in adult education, human development, human services, family support, social work, early childhood education, child development, psychology, or another field directly related to their job responsibilities. These 30 credits may be included in the degree or in addition to the degree; or A credential from a comprehensive and competency-based Family/Social Service training program that increases knowledge and skills in providing direct services to families; or Washington State ECE Home Visitor Certificate; or Home Visitor Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential from the Council of Professional Recognition; or High School Diploma or equivalent and is on a Professional Development Plan (PDP) to fully meet the qualifications of their role within five years from the date of hire.
Valid first aid/CPR card, food handlers’ card, negative T.B. test, and DCYF portable background check.
Within 90 days of hire must have health clearance, immunizations, and other required trainings as per DSHS licensing Regulations.
Knowledge of local and state agencies and organizations that provide social services to low income families.
Train in case management techniques.
Ability to communicate clearly and work effectively with children, staff, parents and volunteers in ECEAP and with the Moses Lake School District.
Must be self-directed, motivated, punctual and flexible.
Ability to problem-solve complex situations involving children and families.
Experience dealing with families in crisis.
Familiarity with personal computers including Google.
Ability to work as a team member.
Ability to use effective organization and time management skills.
Must be at least 21 years of age.

Nice To Haves

Ability to work with data base systems to track case management preferred.

Responsibilities

Contributes to the development of positive communication, mutual respect, mutual support, competence and creativity among all members of the MLSD and ECEAP staff.
Responsible for keeping informed of ongoing program changes and updates.
Organizes and conducts ongoing recruitment to ensure full enrollment in the ECEAP center.
In collaboration with other site staff, participates in ongoing Recruitment.
Organizes and conducts enrollment activities, interviews parents to determine program eligibility, verifies income and obtains necessary parent permission for ECEAP activities.
In collaboration with site staff, organizes and conducts parent orientations to ECEAP, including orienting parents to their rights and responsibilities in ECEAP and explaining relevant ECEAP policies and curriculum approaches.
Assists families in recognizing their strengths and supports them in setting goals planning how to meet the goals through the development of a Family Partnership Plan.
Works in partnership with families to overcome barriers and work towards stated goals.
Works with diverse populations and accesses interpreters as needed.
Visits family’s home as appropriate for interviewing parents, informing parents of school and/or community resources and providing child development and parenting information.
Collects and identifies health and nutrition information including medical, dental, immunization records and other information from parents and health providers and communicates information with classroom staff and program nurse as needed.
Provides or assists with providing health screenings, immunization verifications, and outside agency referrals (e.g. hearing, vision, immunization compliance, height/weight relationships, etc.) for the purpose of promoting needed treatment and complying with program requirements.
Provides health, nutrition and oral health education to children and families including education of parents about advocating for the child’s health needs. Also provides health education materials and resources.
Provides support to families experiencing a crisis and refers them to emergency assistance and crisis intervention providers, as appropriate.
Partners with parents for the purpose of assisting with access to health providers, obtaining exams, identifying obstacles to completing exams and securing appropriate treatment and follow-up on referrals for children.
Promotes parent, staff and community partnerships in ECEAP through various methods (e.g., parent meetings, parent leadership, Parent Professional Development opportunities, newsletters, parent trainings, home visits, Policy Council, volunteer opportunities and other strategies).
Encourages parents to participate in the decisions concerning the education of their children and supports families involved in site leadership activities.
Works with families and site team to ensure smooth transitions for children and families to before- and after-school care and between ECEAP and Kindergarten.
In collaboration with site staff and families, plans and facilitates family events that respond to specific training interests and information requests as indicated on a Parent Interest Survey or through other parent input throughout the year.
Works with the site team and parents to schedule family events at times that are convenient for families.
Maintains accurate records including enrollment information, family resource checklist, and documentation of referrals made and follow-up, compiles and submits monthly activity report information and other required records.
Participates in interdisciplinary planning for children and families to include staffing, multidisciplinary teams, individual education plans and other cross-component coordination efforts.
Thirty hours of Basic MERIT training must be completed within 90 days of hire; plus 15 hours of MERIT training required annually.
Complete mandatory MLSD annual training.
Participates in in-service staff trainings, staff meetings, IEPs, MTSS, and other education opportunities to gain knowledge and skills throughout the year.
Establishes connections with community members and agencies in order to promote and enhance services for ECEAP families, and maintains connections through attending pertinent community-based meetings.
Develops and maintains an updated list of community resources including community health/oral health/nutrition resources.
Performs other duties as assigned.