Family Engagement Worker

*Description*: *Family Engagement Worker* *Department: Early Learning Program* *Reports To: Family Engagement Coordinator* *Supervises: N/A* *Starting Salary: $26,963* 35 hours per week Full benefit package (starting the 1st of the month after 30 days) 403B day one, match up to 7% 2 weeks vacation 17 holidays including your birthday Flexible Summers *Job Summary* The Family Engagement Worker provides parent engagement activities for families in ACE of NEPA’s Early Learning Program that follow the _Head Start Parent, Family, and Community Engagement Framework.
_ The Worker provides strengths-based services that utilize parent engagement and leadership strategies to support families’ safety, health, financial stability, life goals, and aspirations.
This is an entry-level position requiring some understanding of early childhood education, advocacy for parent(s) as the prime educators of their child and an ability to function in a liaison role among home, classroom and staff.
Travel is required throughout Lackawanna, Pike, Susquehanna and Wayne Counties to perform essential job duties and to attend professional development opportunities, including out-of-town travel.
*Essential Job Responsibilities* * Demonstrates a working knowledge of the Head Start philosophy and federal Performance Standards ensuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and health codes * Adheres to Head Start requirements pertaining to families, family partnership agreements, and family wellness plans.
Involves parents in an active partnership that engages them in setting and attaining goals that will help them reach, maintain and surpass economic self sufficiency (examples; Budgeting, Asset Building, Cont Education etc).
Completes case management documentation in a timely,accurate and confidential manner.
* Acts as a resource to families by educating them about the resources and linkages that are available in their communities.
Makes and documents appropriate referrals for families as needed.
Assists families in crisis in such areas as food, housing, clothing, and transportation * Implements the Head Start Parent, Family, and Community Engagement Framework * Conducts home visits.
Assists with scheduling home visits and parent teacher conferences for educational staff as requested * Conducts a face-to-face family enrollment process that involves completion of pertinent forms including the child's health history and consent for services * Maintains ongoing communication with parents in order to actively engage them in volunteer activities, policy council, parent groups and special center events.
* Provides opportunities for children and families to participate in family literacy services and supports families in identifying and accessing community resources.
Plans opportunities to include parents in the development of the program's educational curriculum.
* Provides parent engagement and educational activities that meet the on-going and expressed needs of parents.
Collaborates with Head Start staff to provide opportunities in child growth and development, child abuse prevention, positive guidance, medical, dental, nutritional and mental health, disabilities, family literacy, and community advocacy * Involves parents in the transition from home or other childcare settings to the Early Learning Program and supports successful kindergarten transitions for enrolled children.
* Supports parents and caregivers in the role as their children’s primary educator and assists in promoting school readiness * Advocates for the Head Start & Early Head Start program within the community by engaging various community agencies in building positive collaborative partnerships * Submits Community Partnerships to Family Engagement Coordinators * Attends meetings required by Supervisor and Content Area Managers * Completes a minimum of two home visits to each family annually in the Fall and Spring of the program year in order to implement the Family Needs Assessment.
Additional home visits may be required based upon family circumstances.
* Maintains electronic and paper files.
Enters child and family data into the Program’s Software Program (COPA) that includes demographics, health information, resources and referrals, and relevant case notes, etc.
* Maintains daily attendance records and reports reasons for any absences to Family Engagement Coordinators via Program Software Program(COPA; Web-based data entry system).
* Reports pertinent changes in family/child demographics to management staff * Works with Health Coordinator to obtain required health information for children (immunizations, physicals, dentals, etc.
) and all necessary consents for procedures completed within the program’s Health Service Area * Assists in recruiting, interviewing, training, and placing parent volunteers in the Early Learning Programs and supports parents as visitors, observers, and participants in group activities with their children * Maintains up-to-date list of available volunteers and schedules volunteers to engage in classroom on a regular basis.
Monitors volunteer time and reports on to the Family Engagement Coordinators on a monthly basis any local share received by the Center * Works with the ERSEA Coordinator to develop & implement recruitment strategies.
Actively recruits for all program options on an ongoing basis * Serves as a Classroom Aide in emergency situations upon approval of Family Engagement Coordinators * Keeps children safe by creating and maintaining a Culture of Safety that engages people in identifying safety concerns and working with others to improve strategies used in homes and in centers * Respects and responds appropriately to the culture, language, values, and family structures of each family served * Maintains strict confidentiality of the program’s children, families and staff in accordance with established policies and procedures and applicable law * Functions as mandated reporter reporting any allegations of alleged child abuse/neglect to appropriate Child Welfare Agency * Encourages and supports school readiness, family engagement, and positive interventions/ supports in all aspects of the program * Participates actively in opportunities for continuous professional development * Performs related work as required *Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities* * Knowledge and use of best practices to engage in positive supportive conversations and interactions with young children * Knowledge and use of best practices for integrating family engagement in positive behavior interventions and supports * Ability to recognize cultural differences and use sensitivity in dealing with cultural issue * Ability to demonstrate an approach of service delivery that is consistent with the mission of the Early Learning Program * Intermediate to advanced computer skills including data entry and e-mail for communication purposes.
Knowledge of Microsoft office products, Google Drive,and on-line database systems * Ability to communicate effectively with center staff, parents and management staff using verbal/ nonverbal messages and reflective listening techniques * General knowledge of local training and education opportunities * General knowledge of volunteer sources and their availability * Knowledge of “Local Share” and its importance to the program * General knowledge of resources and referrals available in assigned communities * General knowledge of child support enforcement laws in PA and of mandated reporting procedures involving child abuse *Required Education/Experience* A minimum of a High School Diploma/GED and commitment to complete a Family Services Certification program within 18 months of hire.
Preferred Associate’s Degree with major coursework in social work, human services, family services, counseling, or a related field is required OR credentialing or certification in the same.
Previous experience working with preschool children/family supports preferred.
Valid Driver’s License and automobile insurance require *Working Environment* The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Possible exposure to blood and bodily fluids or tissues; Possible exposure to communicable diseases; Tasks that involve handling implements or utensils, use of public or shared bathroom facilities or telephones.
Job requires sitting for long period of time (during planning and reporting) and standing for long periods of time (during observations and training), as well as stooping, squatting, and kneeling.
A moderate amount of driving is required.
*Physical Demands* The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this Position.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, talk, hear and use hands and fingers to operate and handle keyboards and office and/or classroom equipment.
The employee is occasionally required to walk and reach with hands and arms.
The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
There is occasional lifting and/or moving of up to 25 pounds.
*Non-Discrimination Statement* ACE of NEPA provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment in every location in which the Agency has facilities.
We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.
The Agency will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as Amended (ADAAA).
*Disclaimer* The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification.
They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.
All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.
*ACE is a Drug Free Workplace.
* Job Type: Full-time Pay: $16.
09 per hour Expected hours: 35 per week Benefits: * 401(k) matching * Dental insurance * Health insurance * Life insurance * Paid time off * Professional development assistance * Retirement plan * Tuition reimbursement * Vision insurance Schedule: * 8 hour shift People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply Education: * Associate (Preferred) Experience: * Social Services: 1 year (Preferred) License/Certification: * GED/High School Diploma (Required) Work Location: In person