Family Services Assistant

YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles•Los Angeles, CA

2d•$20 - $24•Onsite

About The Position

The Family Services Assistant recruits and enrolls families and supports them in meeting CCL, CSPP, Head Start, and Early Head Start requirements before and throughout enrollment. The role provides support tailored to families’ needs and collaborates with health, nutrition, education, mental health, disability, and other service areas. Through family engagement and goal setting, the assistant helps families work toward self-sufficiency. The position reports to the Family Services Engagement Coordinator and also receives support from the Operations Executive. The assistant manages a caseload of Head Start and Early Head Start families at assigned sites and carries out applicable Head Start Performance Standards, Head Start Act, LACOE contract, and California Department of Education requirements, including data entry and program reporting. Work includes recruitment and enrollment, family assessments and support, community referrals and partnerships, health and nutrition follow-up, record keeping, and integrated service delivery. The role requires travel to work sites across Los Angeles County and to home visits as needed.

Requirements

Associate’s degree in social work, human services, family services, counseling, or a related field; alternatively, a Family Development Credential and high school diploma or GED.
At least one year of experience in a social service or educational setting involving Head Start and other educational and community service programs that promote family and student engagement.
Direct experience working with children ages 0–5, parent education services, and family support and referral services, or similar experience.
Bilingual English/Spanish ability, including the ability to present information effectively and respond to questions in both languages.
Valid Class C California driver’s license and proof of auto liability insurance.
TB test clearance, renewed every two years.
Current Adult, Child, and Infant CPR and AED First Aid certification, or willingness to obtain it within 60 days of hire.
Verification of immunizations required by the California Department of Health: Pertussis, Measles, and Influenza.
DOJ clearance and all other required background checks.
Ability to pass a comprehensive health exam, including a TB test.
Ability to travel to different work sites across Los Angeles County and to home visits when needed.
Ability to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation, including frequent lifting, pushing, or pulling of 25–50 pounds; frequent walking, standing, and bending; and computer, paperwork, speaking, hearing, and visual tasks.

Nice To Haves

Working knowledge of Head Start and California Department of Education requirements.

Responsibilities

Manage a caseload of Head Start and Early Head Start families at assigned sites and carry out applicable program standards, contract requirements, and reporting requirements.
Attend Coordinator meetings in the Family Services Engagement Coordinator’s absence, including LACOE meetings as needed.
Conduct ongoing outreach and recruitment for assigned Head Start and State Preschool programs; participate in and coordinate recruitment and tabling events and maintain recruitment records.
Complete enrollment and family assessments for Head Start, Early Head Start, CSPP, and CCTR families; report vacancies and classroom attendance promptly to help maintain full enrollment.
Establish and maintain current individual files for children and families.
Complete strengths and needs assessments; provide goal-setting opportunities and assist families in reaching milestones toward self-sufficiency.
Facilitate parent activities, workshops, and training to promote parent advocacy, involvement, literacy, and parental engagement in partnership with Site Directors and Teachers.
Collaborate with Site Directors to plan and implement monthly parent meetings and maintain effective communication with families.
Provide resources and referrals, maintain partnerships with community-based organizations, and collaborate with the Operations Executive of Early Education on family and community engagement resources.
Invite community-based programs to monthly parent meetings in response to needs or interests identified by parents.
Provide health-related services, including hearing and vision screenings and growth assessments, and ensure screenings are completed within required timelines.
Work with families to obtain, review, and document required medical and dental information and provide health forms and information about medications, allergies, and other health needs.
Work with the Health and Nutrition Coordinator to keep the site allergy-alert list up to date and posted as required; communicate children’s health and nutrition needs to Site Directors and teachers.
Ensure child health records are complete, current, accurately entered into ChildPlus, and submitted within required deadlines.
Follow up on assigned cases and families using ERSEA, FCE, and Health/Nutrition reports; maintain child and family files, case notes, and other records and prepare required reports.
Monitor and report attendance and absences and complete follow-up case notes with families; enter data and program information in various databases, including LACOE’s ChildPlus database.
In collaboration with the Family Services Engagement Coordinator, submit referrals for services such as disability and mental health support, participate in Multidisciplinary Team meetings, and facilitate information exchange between families and content area specialists.
Attend required staff meetings and training; uphold YMCA safety, supervision, mandated reporting, and risk-management policies; demonstrate YMCA values and leadership competencies; perform other duties as assigned.