Open until filled

Family Support Specialist (Head Start)

Reports to: Family Support Supervisor

Salary (Grade): Depends on Education

Status: Reg., Full-time (Non-Exempt)

Location: 317 Frenchman St., Winnebago, Nebraska 68071

Educare Winnebago is a collaborative partnership between the Winnebago Tribal Council, Winnebago Head Start, Early Head Start/CC Partnership, and the Winnebago Public Schools. The mission of Educare is to promote school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children ages 0 to 5 through the provision of evidence-based education, health, nutritional, social and other services to enrolled children and their families.

Job Purpose & Position Overview

The Family Support Specialist will assist in the recruitment, enrollment, and monitoring of attendance of Educare students. He/she will team with teaching and administrative staff to develop and implement family engagement opportunities to enhance family well-being, promote positive parent-child relationships, and support family members as lifelong educators, engage family members as learners, inform families during the transition of their children from one developmental program to another, connect family members to peers and their community and promote family members abilities to advocate and serve as leaders in their community. The Family Support Specialist will also assist families as needed to address crisis events that may impact a child’s regular participation in the program and/or relate to basic family needs

Specific Job Duties/Responsibilities:

Demonstrates the Winnebago Tribe’s core mission, vision, and values.

Family Support Opportunities

Engages with peers, family members and children in a manner sensitive to the experiences, needs, and strengths of low-income and diverse populations and individuals with disabilities.
Identify family strengths and areas of need by completing a Family Assessment and updating as needed.
Assist family members in identifying goals in the areas of family-child relationships, knowledge of child development, advocacy, and involvement during the Family Partnership Agreement Process.
Support families of children with disabilities and/or behavioral concerns through building relationships, and communicating/advocating with teachers and administrative staff within the educational systems and during the transition process.
Plan and facilitate regularly scheduled family activities and family involvement events for the purpose of responding to families’ interests and/or needs. Activities any include individual, small group and/or large group sharing of information regarding child development and self-sufficiency issues as identified by families.

Interdisciplinary Tasks Responsibilities

Participate in interdisciplinary work with the Health and Safety Coordinator and/or Teaching Staff to do the following:
Plan for purposes of identifying classroom instructional goals, gathering and documenting observation data, sharing data with families and developing and facilitating related family activities.
Follow up on the health care needs of children and families.
Coordinate the delivery of services to the family and/or child in response to the needs identified by the family.
Provide information and guidance to assist the child and family as the child transitions from the Infant and Toddler program to the Preschool Program and form the Preschool Program to Kindergarten.
Will spend time in each assigned classroom, becoming familiar with the children, and families they will be working with.
Meet with parents regularly about their child’s progress, including at least two Family/Staff Conferences and two home visits per year.

Case Management

Refer and link children and families to needed community services as identified during the Family Needs Assessment, Family Partnership Agreement process and as needed.
Support and assist families in times of crisis.
Act as an advocate on behalf of families with community agencies.
Assist families initiating and maintaining eligibility for childcare development block grants and/or a private pay agreement.
Document services provided to children and families to include follow up on referrals made and resulting outcome to ensure families’ needs are met.
Maintain manual and electronic files and records in an organized fashion for the purpose or providing required information and/or documentation as needed.

ERSEA

Recruit and enroll eligible children and families for the purpose of providing comprehensive services while maintaining full enrollment and serving families most in need of services according to federal guidelines.
Complete necessary paperwork (application, enrollment forms, and releases).
Provide an interdisciplinary orientation for families regarding the program opportunities and expectations.
Follow up on attendance issues including excessive tardiness/absentee issues in order to identify and address barriers.
Disseminate and assist families in completing the annual parent survey.

Other

Plan and facilitate a regular informational/activity meeting specifically for parents, grandparents, and guardians for the purpose of responding to their identified interests and or needs.
Complete at least two home visits a year.
Develop, and update the parent handbook for the program.
Duties listed are only an illustration of various types of work performed. Omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment.

Required Qualifications/Skills:

Two years’ experience working with families in a community-based, culturally and/or social economically diverse, family centered program.
Must be able to pass the central registry, and FBI background check.
Must provide a current physical and tuberculin test results upon start of employment.
Must have a valid Driver’s License and good driving record.

Training Requirements:

Must attend all training courses and department meetings as required and/or directed by the Family Support Supervisor.
Will undergo training of Head Start Performance Standards.
Within 18 months of hire receive at a minimum, a credential or certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling or a related field.
Must enter into an educational plan, if necessary.

Physical Requirements:

Normal to light office work which includes the ability to lift up to 10 lbs.
Regularly required to walk, stand, and sit for extended periods of time and use hands to operate computer keyboard, phone, and various office equipment.
While performing daily duties, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear.

Mental Requirements:

Reading, writing, calculating
Above average social interaction skills
Reasoning/Analysis
Works with minimal to no supervision

Language Requirements:

Must possess the ability to read, write, and speak the English language fluently.
Must be able to continually and effectively employ professional verbal and written communications skills.

Certificates, Licenses & Registrations:

All applicants will comply with 45 CFR 1301, Subpart D, Section 1301.31, C and D, which require all prospective employees to sign a declaration prior to employment regarding all arrests and convictions of child abuse or violent felonies and to comply with PL 101-630 and PL 101-637 regarding criminal records check.

Nebraska Childcare Standards 3-006.03A Criminal History Record Checks:

In accordance with the Nebraska child care licensing standards, all staff members and volunteers, must complete a pre-employment criminal history record check. The check must be conducted through the Nebraska State Patrol.

HOW TO APPLY:

Submit an application at www.winnebagotribe.com, a resume, cover letter, and two (2) letters of recommendation are required. Applications submitted after the closing date or without proper documents will not be considered.
If claiming Native American or Veteran preference, please include pertinent documentation.
Call Human Resources at 402-878-2272 for further information.

As provided by Federal Law, all qualified Native American applicants shall receive preference over Non-Native American applicants. In the absence of qualified Native American applicants, consideration will be given to all other applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, disability or any other reason prohibited by law in provision of employment opportunities and benefits.