ECEAP Family Support Specialist

Educational Service District 123 • Pasco, WA

10d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Educational Service District 123 is looking for a qualified candidate to fill the ECEAP Family Support Specialist position serving Burbank and Benton/Franklin Counties sites as requested. 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 to support and provide comprehensive and integrated family support services that include recognizing and building upon their family strengths and improving the condition and quality of their family's life. The FSS's work to adhere to ECEAP Program Standards, Service Plans and the principles of best practice in the field of family support.

Requirements

• Must have one of the following qualifications: (a) 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; (b) A DCYF-approved credential from a comprehensive and competency-based Family/Social Service training program that increases knowledge and skills in providing direct services to families; (c) A Washington State ECE Home Visitor Certificate; (d) A Home Visitor Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential from the Council of Professional Recognition; or (e) High School Diploma or GED and an ESD 123 approved professional development plan (PDP) granting eligible new hires five (5) years from the date of hire to become fully qualified with (a), (b), (c), or (d) above.
• Demonstrated successful experience working with and providing support to students and families.
• Cleared portable background check.
• Knowledge of community resources for families and appropriate referral procedures.
• Ability to participate as a positive, productive team member of the site's multi-disciplinary team.
• Ability to establish and maintain relationships and identify strengths and goals of family members desirable.
• Ability to effectively communicate with preschool age children, family members, outside agencies, co-workers and other district staff.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations and people with limited income.
• Ability to organize own work and to work independently.
• Ability to travel between work sites.
• Ability to work flexible hours.
• MERIT Portable Background Check (cleared before working directly with children)
• MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccine or proof of immunity
• Completion of one-step Mantoux tuberculosis (TB) skin test, or treatment in accordance with WAC 110-300-0105(3 ).
• First aid and CPR card within 90 days of hire.
• Food Handler's Permit

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual in English and Spanish language preferred, but not required.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development of positive communication, mutual respect, mutual support, competence and creativity among all members of the ECEAP staff.
• Organize and conduct ongoing recruitment to ensure full enrollment in the ECEAP center.
• In collaboration with other site staff, participates in ongoing recruitment.
• Organize and conduct enrollment activities, interviews parents to determine program eligibility, verifies income and obtains necessary parent permission for ECEAP activities.
• Collaborate with site staff, organize and conduct parent orientations to ECEAP, including orienting parents on their rights and responsibilities in ECEAP and explaining relevant ECEAP policies and curriculum approaches.
• Assist families in recognizing their strengths, support them in setting goals, and plan how to meet the goals through the development of a Family Partnership Plan.
• Work in partnership with families to overcome barriers, meet their stated goals and achieve economic success and prosperity.
• Provide family support services through at least three hours contact with each family during program year.
• Access ESD ECEAP Counseling Fund as needed when referring an ECEAP child/family to counseling services.
• Collaborate with center mental health professionals in addressing mental health issues of enrolled children and their families.
• Work with diverse populations and access interpreters and the Language Line as needed through ESD ECEAP Interpreter Fund.
• Visit home of families as appropriate for the purpose of enrolling children in program, interviewing parents, informing parents of school and/or community resources and providing child development and parenting information.
• Collect and identify health and nutrition information including medical, dental, immunization records and other information from parents and health providers for the purpose of providing health summaries and information reports to center staff and coordinators and refer to health treatment as appropriate.
• Develop individualized child health and/or nutrition plans, as necessary, for the purpose of supporting and child's success in school.
• At the end of the school year, evaluate and document in child's file the family's experience with working on their child's health plan.
• Provide support to families experiencing a crisis and refers them to emergency assistance and crisis intervention providers, as appropriate.
• Partner 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.
• Promote parent, staff and community partnerships in the ECEAP program 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.)
• Encourage parents to participate in decisions concerning the education of their children and support families involved in site leadership activities.
• Provide or assist with providing health screening, 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.
• Work with families and site team to ensure smooth transition for children and families to before- and after-school care and between ECEAP and Kindergarten.
• Collaborate with site staff and families, plan and facilitate family events that respond to specific training interests and information requests as indicated on Parent Interest Survey or through other parent input throughout the year.
• Work with the site team and parents to schedule family events at times that are convenient for families.
• Provide health, nutrition, and oral health education to children and families including education of parents about advocating for the child's health needs. Also provide health education materials and resources.
• Maintain accurate records including enrollment information, family resources checklist, documentation of referrals made, and follow-up and adult contact hours according to ECEAP program standards, compile and submit monthly activity report information and other required records.
• Participate in interdisciplinary planning for children and families to include staffing, multidisciplinary teams, individual education plans and other cross-component coordination efforts.
• Establish linkage with community members and agencies in order to promote and enhance services for ECEAP families, and maintain linkages through attending pertinent community-based meetings.
• Develop and maintain an updated list of community resources including community health/oral and health/nutrition.
• Travel between work sites as needed.
• Cover breaks for ECEAP Staff as needed.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Follow all applicable ESD 123 Board policies and procedures and ECEAP Performance Standards.
• Performs related duties as assigned. Related duties as required are duties that may not be specifically listed in the Position Description but are within the general occupational series and responsibility level typically associated with the employee's classification of work.

Benefits

• Opportunities to receive on the job training
• Access to full benefits (SEBB medical, vision, and dental insurance. WA DRS SERS retirement plan. Medical reimbursement account, Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance etc.)
• Access to the agency's wellness program
• Paid sick leave (10 days per full school year)
• Paid personal leave (up to 2 days per full school year)
• Work a typical school calendar with winter, spring, and summer break off.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree