Family Support Specialist (Center Based)

Children’s Place Association • Chicago, IL

10d • Onsite

About The Position

The Family Support Specialist is responsible for coordinating parental engagement and involvement in the 0-5 early childhood program. This position also assists with recruitment and enrollment for the Early Learning Center.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Social Services, Family Services, Family Studies, Human Services, Counseling or related field required.
• Illinois Gateways Family Specialist credential (Level 4 or higher) required within 18 months of hire.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience working with young children and families in an early childhood field required.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree preferred.
• 5 years of experience preferred.
• Experience working with persons living with chronic illness and families living in poverty preferred.
• Knowledge of Head Start/Early Head Start performance standards preferred.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) written and verbal communication skills preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates parental engagement and involvement in the program, including but not limited to monthly parent meetings, parent training sessions and Early Head Start and Head Start Parent Councils; provides information about the program to parents and problem solves to remove barriers to active parental involvement.
• Supports teachers and other ELC employees in working with families living with chronic illness and struggling with poverty, including mentoring the staff’s understanding and empathy for the effect these issues might have on parental resources and decisions.
• Provides guidance to teachers and ELC employees by taking a leadership role in addressing challenging situations and diffusing parents’ concerns; develops and models strategies for supporting families in a family-centered fashion using a strengths-based approach.
• Identifies families at high risk for instability and provides stability support services.
• Follows up on attendance related concerns and issues through documentation and parent contacts; creates plan for increased attendance.
• Connects families with needed community resources.
• Recruits and supports ELC parent representatives for the Early Head Start and Head Start Policy Councils; attends evening Early Head Start and Head Start Policy Council meetings with ELC parent representatives monthly.
• Attends Early Head Start and Head Start administrative meetings related to family support and parent involvement.
• Functions as the “Reading is Fundamental” (RIF) Coordinator, and ensures the implementation of literacy activities for children and parents.
• Implements and coordinates a research-based parent curriculum model which includes monthly home and/or center visits.
• Completes and documents a required number of parent contacts monthly.
• Completes the Children’s Place psychosocial intake assessment annually.
• Develops an integrated, comprehensive and strength based family service plan, and subsequently reviews and updates the service plan with the family on a monthly basis.
• Attends parent-teacher conferences and bi-annual home visits with teaching staff.
• Maintains detailed case note history of family progress and support needed and provided; maintains case notes and service plans in Child Plus reporting system.
• Works with the teaching team and Education Coordinator to coordinate transition plans for children as appropriate.
• Maintains full enrollment at the Early Learning Center, including 10-25% enrollment of children with special needs.
• Attends community functions and meetings to recruit families and provide information about Children’s Place services.
• Assists with the intake and eligibility determination of new families enrolling into the Early Learning Center.
• Develops and maintains a network of community resources.
• Assists with supervision of the Early Childhood Education program in the absence of the Program Manager and Education Coordinator.
• Ensures Early Head Start and Head Start performance standards are being met in relation to family and community services, including entering data into Child Plus.
• Collects information for the monthly management report and other reports as needed, and submits to Program Manager.
• Attends ELC staffings with teachers, and attends case management staffings for those ELC families who receive services.
• Creates community partnership agreements throughout the city to support children and families.
• Participates in trainings and All Staff Meetings.
• Maintains written documentation of activities with parents, community agencies and staff.
• Maintains the confidentiality of information and records related to children and families in the 0-5 early childhood program at all times.
• Works as part of a team, seeking support and offering support when indicated; promotes team building and collaborative partnership among staff.
• Reports any suspected child abuse or neglect to Program Manager and abides by the professional, ethical and legal requirements of a mandated reporter.
• Participates in Children’s Place quality assurance initiatives as needed and appropriate to improve service quality and ensure compliance with licensing, accreditation and contractual standards.
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as necessary to meet new funding requirements or as assigned by the Program Manager.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level