Head Start - Social Work Assistant 2, Family Service Coordinator (Oak Harbor)

Skagit Valley College•Oak Harbor, WA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Head Start is a federal program dedicated to serving vulnerable children and families, including those experiencing homelessness, poverty, involvement with foster or child protective systems, or other family stressors. The program emphasizes individualized support in a nurturing environment, ensuring all children are ready for kindergarten. The Family Service Coordinator (FSC) plays a crucial role in providing direct social services support to Head Start families, facilitating family development in areas of goals and parent education, and promoting family engagement in program opportunities. The FSC also assists in obtaining required health screenings and data, supports broader program needs, and ensures accurate and timely data entry and documentation. This position operates under the general supervision of the Center Manager and involves significant interaction with parents and children, including daily greetings and support at arrival and pickup, and serving as a contact point for visitors. The role may involve additional duties and special projects, and the primary location is Oak Harbor Early Learning, with potential for temporary reassignment within the specified area to support program operations. Travel for meetings and trainings is required, and occasional alternate work schedules may be necessary for events like Parent Nights. This is a grant-funded position, with its continuation dependent on ongoing funding. The position works 10.8 months per year and 38 hours per week.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Human Services, Social Work, or behavioral sciences; Two (2) years of experience as a Social Work Assistant 1 or equivalent; Fluency in English.
OR Associate of Arts Degree in the behavioral sciences; Four (4) years of experience as a Social Work Assistant 1 or equivalent; Fluency in English.
OR A combination of education and experience equivalent to the above requirements.
Fluency in English.
Ability to build and maintain constructive and effective relationships with others, demonstrating respect, cooperation, and mutual regard.
Accountability through accepting personal responsibility for the timeliness and quality of work.
An ongoing commitment to learning and self-improvement that includes reaching out to the appropriate individuals for support and guidance as needed.
Demonstrating ethical and integrity-based behaviors that include setting appropriate boundaries with families, and maintaining honesty and professionalism.
Actively supports and honors inclusiveness and diversity.
Able to effectively use written communication to objectively and accurately document assigned elements in the data entry system.
Pass a criminal background check.
Provide proof of identity and documentation of U.S. Citizenship or appropriate authorization to work.
Pass a MERIT background check including fingerprints through the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF).
Within 30 days of hire, have or obtain: an initial health examination indicating freedom from communicable diseases; proof of a Tuberculosis (TB) test taken within 12 months prior to the initial employment date; proof of immunization for measles, mumps, and rubella vaccination OR proof of immunity from measles; CPR/First Aid card; a current Food Handlers permit.
Meet all federally mandated requirements related to the Head Start program, including but not limited to continuing educational requirements and all Washington State laws and College policies related to the Head Start program and SVC employment.
Have, or ability to obtain by the time of hire, a Washington State driver's license or equivalent, and proof of auto insurance.
Declare whether they are the subject of any substantiated findings of sexual misconduct in any current or former employment or are currently being investigated for, or have left a position during an investigation into, a violation of any sexual misconduct policy at the applicant’s current or past employer.
Membership in the Washington Public Employees Association (WPEA) within thirty (30) calendar days of appointment.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual in Spanish.

Responsibilities

Provide direct task-oriented social services support to families in Head Start.
Facilitate family development in the areas of family goals and parent education in accordance with Head Start Performance Standards and Skagit/Islands Head Start Policies and Procedures.
Facilitate family engagement in program opportunities.
Support obtaining required health screenings and health data.
Support broader program needs and needs of the assigned center.
Ensure accurate and timely data entry and documentation.
Greet and support parents and guardians at arrival and pickup daily.
Provide a contact point for visitors when the Center Manager is unavailable.
May be assigned other duties and special projects.
Support family engagement and services using strengths-based attitudes and strategies, orienting families to the program in coordination with the center manager and staff.
Prepare for, lead, and document family reviews with center staff.
Complete needs assessments with all families and develop individual family partnership plans.
Develop support approaches and schedules that meet individual family needs.
Make referrals to internal or community resources and follow up to ensure needs have been adequately addressed.
Strengthen community collaborations to support families by maintaining current knowledge of community resources, sharing community service information with families, and building relationships during attendance of interagency meetings, community events, and other scheduled meetings with community partners.
Support families to complete program health requirements.
Collaborate with families to determine that they have access to continuous health care and health coverage.
Assist families in acquiring health care and coverage as needed.
Work with staff and families to determine if the child is up to date on the age-appropriate Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) program for health and oral health in WA State.
Ensure completion of 45-day sensory screenings and other health screenings in collaboration with center teams.
Support families and collaborate with center teams to ensure children have proper documentation for chronic conditions and other health needs (e.g., allergies, food substitutions, etc.).
Provide support to families in following up on any required treatment or referrals.
Use the database for accurate and timely documentation for health and nutrition needs and follow-up actions.
Facilitate Policy Council elections and support Policy Council representatives in planning and executing regular parent meetings.
Attend all required center and program meetings and trainings.
Complete tasks associated with the Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance (ERSEA) requirements, including the proper determination of family eligibility, ongoing recruitment, program orientation, and support for regular attendance of children.
Have a general understanding of program school readiness goals and child goals at their center.
Work with teaching staff in a positive and respectful manner.
Support classroom activities or coverage at assigned times to develop understanding and deepen family relationships by gaining experience with enrolled children.
May also provide occasional emergency support to classrooms.
Provide families with resources and activities that support school readiness.
Assist families with transitioning children into kindergarten.
Serve as point of contact for the center in the planned absence of the Center Manager.
Support program ongoing quality improvement through participating in program planning and assessment efforts by offering insights and observations.