Family Development Worker

BAKERRIPLEY•Houston, TX

About The Position

The Family Development Worker provides in-home and other services to families and children participating in Early Head Start and Head Start programs. The role establishes mutually respectful partnerships with families, supports their efforts to reach goals, provides family literacy opportunities, coordinates and integrates Head Start services, assists families with accessing community resources, and helps families in crisis. The position maintains a full caseload and follows up on services based on individual needs, interests, and plans. It tracks service delivery in the designated agency system and keeps accurate, complete, and up-to-date documentation. The worker develops strengths-based family assessments and goals, conducts follow-up meetings and home visits, makes timely referrals, and revises family plans as needed. The role also supports parent involvement and program governance, researches community resources, conducts outreach and enrollment, and coordinates integrated services across program departments.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Education, Sociology, or a related field; a combination of lesser education and years of experience may be considered.
A minimum of three years of experience in a social service setting working with children and/or families.
Demonstrated teaching or training skills.
Ability to problem-solve, handle crises, and work with families and children from low-income backgrounds.
Ability to work sensitively with families of diverse ethnic, language, and cultural backgrounds.
Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Working knowledge of local community resources.
Intermediate Microsoft Office experience.
Must receive a Family Development Credential within one year.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual English/Spanish skills.

Responsibilities

Maintain a full caseload and provide timely follow-up based on families’ individual needs, interests, and plans.
Track delivery of Head Start and Early Head Start services using the designated agency tracking system.
Maintain accurate, clear, complete, and up-to-date documentation and meet agency and program deadlines.
Develop strengths-based assessments with families covering goals, strengths, resources, support networks, and needed services and supports.
Meet with families to review progress toward goals, conduct home visits, make timely referrals, and revise family goals and plans as needed.
Maintain an up-to-date Parent Involvement Calendar of Events and support activities related to Program Governance.
Research and stay current on program and community resources.
Conduct outreach and recruitment, and complete applications and enrollment paperwork.
Coordinate integrated services across Family and Community Engagement, Student Support Services, Family Wellness, Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, Attendance, and Child Development Services.
Promote parent involvement in the program and children’s education.
Support families in accessing community resources, participating in family literacy services, and addressing crises.