SUMMARY:

The Head Start/Early Head Start Family Services Worker reports to the Child Development Services Manager in the maintenance of a cumulative file that documents services delivery in the areas of health (medical, dental), mental health, disabilities, family partnerships, and nutrition.
Work involves acting as the lead Family Services Worker; as needed with case management and handling of the more difficult cases. Work is performed under the supervision of the Child Development Services Manager and is reviewed through monitoring, conference, reports and results obtained.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Include the following:

• Build nurturing relationships with families to identify barriers to self-sufficiency, establish goals for independence from public assistance, facilitate mobilization and serve as a source of support.
• Under the direction of the Child Development Services Manager, collect data to identify family’s strengths, weaknesses and stages of development.
• Responsible for recruitment, enrollment and attendance.
• Work cooperatively with Family Support Services/Service Area Managers/Specialists to develop and maintain case management; identify unmet community needs and assists in mobilizing resources to meet those needs.
• Provide intake services for children for Head Start/Early Head Start Centers within the target community.
• Interviews selected families to obtain pertinent data; i.e., family history, health, mental health, developmental,nutritional, parent interest and submits to the Child Development Services Manager for review and forward for input into the agency?s Management Information System.
• Provides orientation for parents on the agency and the Head Start/Early Head Start program and other available community resources.
• Maintains cumulative file on all assigned families in accordance with program?s established record keeping system including: (a) emergency or crisis assistance; (b) education and other appropriate interventions; and (c) opportunities for continuing education, employment training, and other employment services through formal networks in the community.
• Implement strategies to provide parents with continual access, either directly or through referrals, services and resources that are responsive to each family’s interests and goals.
• Refers clients to other organizations to obtain needed resources to meet the needs of families.
• Provide access for the delivery of prenatal and postpartum care services for pregnant women to include but not limited to: (a) early and continuous risk assessments and (b) mental health interventions and follow-up.
• Monitors attendance, secure referrals, provide follow-up to identify social service needs of children and families.
• Assists in disseminating information to area residents regarding ALPI program activities, organizing residents around basic issues and encouraging citizen participation.
• Assist in getting parents at Parent Meetings, workshops, training and conferences.
• Provides supportive services to parents, i.e., transportation, babysitting, making and accompanying children and parents to appointments.
• Maintains and follows program confidentiality policies concerning information about children, families, and other staff members.
• Participates in on-ongoing pre-service and in-service training, agency events, workshops and educational classes for personal development, as assigned or requested.
• Attends and participates in staff/department meetings when required.
• Assist with loading and unloading of children from buses.
• Reports suspected child abuse and neglect situations.
• Covers the front desk/office as needed.
• Assists in garnering in-kind contributions.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.