Preschool Family Services Assistant (Van Nuys) (4311)

YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles•Los Angeles, CA

22h•Hybrid

About The Position

The YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles is seeking a Preschool Family Services Assistant to join their team. This role, under the direction of the Family Services Engagement Coordinator, is responsible for recruiting and enrolling families, supporting them to meet all requirements for various early childhood education programs (CCL, CSPP, Head Start, Early Head Start), and assisting with their specific needs. The Family Services Assistant will also support families in areas such as health, nutrition, education, mental health, and disabilities, aiming to help them achieve self-sufficiency through goal setting and engagement activities. This position is a support and collaborative role, working with other service areas and reporting to the Operations Executive.

Requirements

Associate’s degree in social work, human services, family services, counseling or related field OR a Family Development Credential and high school diploma or GED.
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 in working with children ages 0 to 5, parent education services, and family support and referral services or similar required.
Bilingual (English/Spanish) ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the public in English and Spanish.
Valid Class C California driver’s license and proof of auto liability insurance.
TB test clearance to be renewed every two years.
Current certification in Adult, Child & Infant CPR & AED First Aid or willingness to obtain 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 frequently lift, push, or pull weights ranging from 25 to 50 pounds.
High degree of fine finger dexterity and visual acuity for operating computers, reviewing forms, and completing paperwork.
Specific vision abilities (close, distance, color, and peripheral vision) and the ability to clearly speak and hear.
Position requires traveling to different work sites across LA county, when needed.
Position requires traveling to home visits.
Must have the physical, visual, and auditory ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

Working knowledge of Head Start and CDE requirements preferred.

Responsibilities

Manage caseload of Head Start and Early Head Start families in assigned sites.
Carry out Head Start Performance Standards, requirements of the Head Start Act, LACOE contract, and California Department of Education (CDE) requirements, including program information reporting and data entry.
Attend Coordinator meetings in the absence of the Family Services Engagement Coordinator, and other LACOE meetings as needed.
Responsible for data entry, including inputting information into LACOE's ChildPlus database and maintaining information.
Conduct ongoing outreach and recruitment to ensure site enrollment for assigned Head Start/State Preschool (CDE) programs.
Complete enrollment (Head Start, Early Head Start, CSPP, CCTR) and family assessments with assigned families and others as needed.
Report enrollment vacancy and classroom attendance information in a timely manner to maintain full enrollment at assigned sites for both LACOE and CDE contracts.
Participate in recruiting events, tabling events, coordinating recruitment events, and recordkeeping of recruitment.
Establish and maintain current individual files for each child and family.
Complete strengths and needs assessments for assigned families.
Provide families with goal-setting opportunities and assist with attaining milestones that result in self-sufficiency.
Facilitate parent activities and workshops/training to promote parent advocacy and involvement in partnership with Site Directors and Teachers.
Enhance parents' skills and understanding regarding parental engagement and activities that promote literacy.
Collaborate with the Site Directors to plan and implement monthly parent meetings.
Ensure effective communication with families.
Provide resources and referrals for families.
Establish and maintain partnerships with community-based organizations to ensure families have access to comprehensive support services.
Collaborate with the Operations Executive of Early Education on Family and Community Engagement service areas to maintain resources for families.
Invite community-based programs to monthly parent meetings in response to parent-identified needs/interest.
Provide health-related services to children, including hearing and vision screenings and growth assessments, ensuring all screenings are completed within required timelines.
Work with families to obtain, review, and document required medical and dental information at enrollment and throughout the program year to ensure all Head Start health requirements are met.
Provide families with all required health-related forms and information regarding medications, allergies, and other health needs.
Work with the Health and Nutrition Coordinator to ensure the site allergy-alert list is up to date and posted as required.
Ensure all child health (medical and dental) records are complete, current, and accurately entered into ChildPlus in a timely manner, meeting required deadlines.
Communicate with Site Director and teachers regarding health/nutrition needs of enrolled children.
Complete follow-up with assigned cases/families based on reports for ERSEA, FCE, and Health/Nutrition.
Maintain up-to-date child/family files and disseminate information as needed.
Develop and maintain appropriate case notes and other records and prepare periodic reports as required.
Monitor and complete reporting related to attendance, absences, and follow-up case notes with families.
Entry of data and program information reporting in various databases.
Submit referrals for support services such as disability and mental health in collaboration with the Family Services Engagement Coordinator.
Participate in Multidisciplinary Team meetings.
Facilitate the exchange of information between assigned families and content area specialists through the referral process and participate in MDT meetings.
Attend staff meetings and training as required.
Uphold YMCA policies for safety, supervision, mandated reporting, and risk management.
Demonstrate the Six Pillars of Character (Trustworthiness, Citizenship, Respect, Responsibility, Caring and Fairness) as well as the YMCA Core Values of Caring, Respect, Honesty and Responsibility, in all dealings with members, guests, volunteers and fellow staff.
Demonstrate competencies in and willingness to develop in the Cause Driven Leadership areas of mission advancement, collaboration, operational effectiveness and personal growth.
Perform other duties as assigned by your supervisor.