FAMILY COMMUNITY WORKER-Saucier

Position Purpose: This position will promote family welfare and parent involvement programs and support the implementation of the family partnership process. Operate as a liaison between classroom and home settings in the area of education, child development, and mental health. Essential Job Responsibilities • Recruit and enroll eligible children and expectant mothers to ensure Head Start assigned enrollment to include children with disabilities. • Verify ages and income of families according to MAP's Procedures and guidelines. • Replace vacancies according to procedures to ensure the center maintains complete enrollment. • Assist with the preparation and mailing of parent surveys. • Assist with preparation and distribution of recruitment materials. • Implement the Agency's attendance plan policies as outlined in the Attendance Plan. • Track children's attendance in assigned caseloads per attendance policies and procedures and record them in a computerized system. • Manage a minimum caseload of 40-60 families. • Assess each family at intake to determine family needs as well as individual family member goals. • Utilize the individualized goal-setting process to link families with community resources to meet family needs (health, disabilities, nutrition, social services, mental health, etc. • Assist families in developing Family Partnership Goals and other necessary follow-ups. • Assess family goals and provide recommendations and referrals for relevant community resources. • Maintain monthly contacts i.e. -- phone calls, group activity, home visits, and classroom visits to promote partnership building and provide regular communication. • Monitor progress on Family Partnership goals. • Provide crisis intervention as needed. • Prepare and distribute follow-up containing pertinent information requested by the family in a timely manner. • Assist with kindergarten transition of child and family out of Head Start. • Promote family literacy. • Work with parents to establish and maintain regular attendance for their child. • Arrange for and make home visits within two weeks of the infants' birth to ensure the well-being of mother and child; record results of visits in manual and computerized records within two (2) days of the visit. • Plan and facilitate parent orientation to the program and assist the Center Administrator in implementing the center's governance reorganization activities as requested. • Advocate and collaborate with community agencies to support child, family, and agency outcomes Prevention and Early Intervention • Assess health status of each child and expectant mother in assigned caseload in conjunction with enrollment intake no later than two (2) workdays of child's enrollment • Assess the health status of each child and expectant mother in the assigned caseload in conjunction with enrollment intake no later than two (2) workdays after the child's enrollment. • Maintain regular contact with children in the classroom setting. • Participate in referral and Special Education (individual family service plans/IFSP) processes as needed. • Maintain ongoing contact with teaching staff to share relevant home information and gain information regarding child performance in the classroom. • Provide information about Head Start health and nutrition requirements; support families in completing vaccination, physical, dental, and nutrition screenings. • Schedule appointments for screenings within 45 days of the child's enrollment; record in the manual and computerized records immediately. • Request health supplies/equipment and forms for center. Location: Blanche Saucier Head Start, Saucier MS Requirements: Knowledge/Skills/Experiences • A B.S. Degree in Social Work with Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, or a related field that includes coursework in the principles of social work, child development, counseling, and/or psychology is preferred. • Minimum of two years' experience in a family social service setting preferred, including knowledge and experience relating to community resources for referrals to families in need of services. • The skill and willingness to deal with sensitive family situations in a non-threatening and professional manner. • Ability to set and maintain professional boundaries with families. • Knowledge of early childhood education and intervention preferred. • Computer literacy and familiarity with various applications such as word processing, e-mail, and the Internet. • Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Physical/Mental Abilities and Processes • Frequent /significant decision and problem-solving ability. • Ability to work as a team member, collaborating with parents and community resources. • Frequent driving for home visits, sometimes in outlying areas. • Regular kneeling, bending, and sitting on the floor to attend to the child's needs. • Occasional lifting up to 50 lbs. • Must be able to work independently without intensive supervision. • Must balance and prioritize workload and have strong time management skills.