FAMILY SERVICE ASSOCIATE

NHA•San Diego, CA

About The Position

Under the direction of a Family Service Supervisor or designee, performs a wide variety of duties in support of the Head Start Program goals and objectives by establishing and maintaining positive relationships with children’s families to encourage participation in and increase their awareness and use of supportive services; serves as an advocate for program children and their families; has a caseload of forty to sixty children’s files; and performs related work as required.

Requirements

Knowledge of: Modern theories, methods and practices of social services, emotional and/or physical health needs of families with culturally diverse backgrounds
Federal, state, and local laws and regulations applicable to the Head Start Program and the assigned areas of responsibility and expertise
Head Start Program Performance Standards
Local community resources
Goals, objectives, policies and procedures of the NHA Head Start Program
Recordkeeping and filing practices and procedures
Basic counseling theories and practices.
Ability to: Build strong, healthy relationships with diverse families utilizing a strengths-based, family-centered exosystemic framework to elicit positive goal-oriented change
Use self-awareness and reflection to inform the delivery of high quality family services
Organize, set priorities and exercise sound independent judgment within areas of assigned responsibility
Interpret, apply, explain and reach sound decisions in accordance with Program regulations, policies and procedures
Communicate effectively orally and in writing
Prepare clear, concise and accurate reports, correspondence and other written materials
Exercise tact, objectivity, sensitivity, strategy and judgment in dealing with volunteers, parents and staff
Organize and maintain documentation
Be a team player and demonstrate flexibility.
Language Skills: Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public primarily in English; demonstrated skills in written and oral communication.
Mathematical Skills: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
Reasoning Ability:Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
Experience and Training: Typical ways to obtain the knowledge, skills, and abilities outlined above are: Associate’s Degree in Child Development, Early Child Development, Social Services or a closely related Human Services field (preferred); Three years of experience providing direct services to low-income children and families of diverse cultural backgrounds.
CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, & SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Certification in pediatric first aid and CPR must be met within 90 days of employment.
Must meet and maintain state law and county licensing requirements regarding employment in a child care center (fingerprints, TB, physical, immunizations).
Required within eighteen (18) months of hire, a minimum of a credential or certification in, social work, human services, family services, counseling or related field.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s Degree in Child Development, Early Child Development, Social Services or a closely related Human Services field (preferred)

Responsibilities

Acts as a resource and provides and/or makes referrals for necessary services
Informs, educates and distributes information and literature to parents regarding health, social and other services that are available
Establishes and maintains supportive relationships with Head Start families; engages families to co-develop a Family Partnership Agreement
Makes family home visits to conjointly discuss and assess family needs
Develops and implements family case management models in support of Head Start goals and objectives
Documents activities and performs various other administrative duties
Maintains complete and current files and records pertaining to activities
Prepares regular and special status reports
Monitors records and reports prepared by other staff
Works with center staff to promote parent involvement and advocacy
Participates in the preparation and attends parent advisory committee meetings
Assists with the obtainment of complete medical/health history records of enrolled children
Enters data of support services into an automated tracking system
Acts as liaison with local community organizations to provide resources to children and their families
Ensures center compliance with health, social services and parent involvement requirements of the Head Start Program’s Performance Standards
Assists in the general operation of site
Enters health, social services, and family partnership goals on PROMIS
Other duties as assigned by supervisor.