Family Support Specialist

Open Positions at Start Early•Chicago, IL

18d

About The Position

Educare Chicago provides high-quality care, education, and a stimulating learning environment to children from birth to five years old on Chicago’s South Side. Its research-based program supports children’s literacy, language, early math, and social-emotional development, particularly for children from low-income families. The Family Support Specialist engages families of enrolled children in activities, practices, and services that support parents as their children’s primary nurturers, experts, and teachers, promoting children’s learning, development, and life success. The role reports to the Family Engagement Supervisor. The specialist builds supportive relationships with families, helps families establish and work toward goals, and provides opportunities to strengthen parent-child relationships and support children’s learning. The role also promotes parental involvement in education, connects families with community resources, supports recruitment and program enrollment, and maintains accurate family, child, and health records. The specialist collaborates with teachers, health staff, and the ERSEA team to deliver family services and address health and attendance needs. The position requires following applicable regulations, licensing requirements, and organizational standards; maintaining confidentiality and child safety; completing required annual training and professional development; and helping ensure program continuity when team members are absent. The work takes place in general office and classroom conditions, includes moderate noise and possible interruptions by violence, and has physical requirements including lifting up to 40 pounds, mobility, and the ability to run, sit on the floor, and stand. The role requires current health documentation, including a physical exam renewed every two years with a TB test, two MMR doses, and a TDAP less than 10 years old. Salary: $51,825–$58,735. Benefits include comprehensive health plans, a holistic wellness program, professional development, a 401(k) contribution, paid volunteer days, and six months of paid parental leave.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or a related field.
Obtain a Gateways Family Services Credential or Social Work Credential within 18 months of hire.
Two to four years of experience working with families in a community-based Early Head Start/Head Start or family support program.
Complete 15 hours of continuing education annually.
Knowledge of programs and systems serving children, families, low-income communities, and communities where Head Start/Early Head Start families live.
Ability to engage culturally diverse populations.
Organized thinker with exceptional attention to detail.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to establish supportive relationships with children and families from diverse backgrounds.
Knowledge of community resources and ability to develop community cooperation to ensure families receive comprehensive services.
Knowledge of Head Start Performance Standards and Department of Human Services Child Care program guidelines.
Knowledge of Illinois TANF regulations.
Ability to work in general office and classroom conditions and manage work in an environment that may be interrupted by violence.
Ability to lift up to 40 pounds; stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl; run; sit on the floor; stand; and remain mobile.
Ability to clearly hear and understand.
Maintain a current physical exam renewed every two years with a TB test; the initial physical exam cannot be dated more than six months before the first day of employment.
Have two doses of MMR and a TDAP vaccination less than 10 years old.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain supportive and educational relationships with families to promote self-sufficiency and positive outcomes for children.
Collaborate with families to establish Family Partnership Agreements and monitor progress toward family goals.
Implement strategies to strengthen parent-child relationships and engage parents in discussions about their children’s growth and development.
Provide parents with information and opportunities to learn how to promote their children’s learning.
Design, implement, and monitor family development activities, and encourage participation through family meetings and adult education.
Conduct periodic home visits to assess family resources and needs.
Collaborate with teachers on two interdisciplinary home visits, two parent-teacher conferences, and quarterly classroom family events per year.
Encourage parents’ involvement in their children’s education at Educare Chicago and in the K–8 system.
Help parents recognize and expect quality education, access quality elementary schools, and advocate for their children’s education.
Support implementation of the Parents as Teachers parent education curriculum to strengthen parent-child interaction and school readiness.
Identify and develop community partnerships that help families access additional resources.
Conduct at least three forms of recruitment per month to build a waitlist or fill vacancies within 30 days.
Research and attend at least one community meeting per month.
Track and document child and parent information in ChildPlus, including case notes, health, enrollment, and program information.
Ensure health data entry is accurate and complete, including immunization records and screening results.
Collaborate with the Health Coordinator to ensure children are current on required health events and escalate concerns as needed.
Collaborate with the ERSEA team to establish attendance plans for children with chronic attendance issues.
Complete special projects assigned by the supervisor.
In the absence of team members, oversee program vacancies and critical needs, including classroom coverage, to maintain service delivery and operational continuity.
Follow federal regulations, state and local licensing requirements, and Start Early’s Standards of Conduct.
Maintain confidentiality, report unsafe conditions, and ensure no child is left unattended.
Implement Active Supervision strategies at all times while on program premises.
Complete at least 15 hours of required annual training and attend required Educare Chicago and Start Early professional development days.