Family Service Worker

Description

Come join the amazing Community Action Program of Belknap-Merrimack Counties team!

We are a private non-profit committed to doing all we can in the fight against poverty. Our legacy goes back to the 1960's and we manage over 70 programs designed to help those who need it most. 

Working for Head Start and Early Head Start provides an opportunity to support the most vulnerable children in your community and help them and their families achieve success in school and in life.

You'll join a team of talented and passionate people who are motivated to make our community as strong and resilient as possible.

HOURS: Monday – Friday, 37.5 hours per week. 

POSITION SUMMARY:

Responsible for ensuring the Head Start social service, parent engagement and health/nutrition program is available to the families; Coordinates with teachers to involve parents in the decision-making processes of Head Start and in the center activities; Engages in a process of collaborative partnership-building with parents to establish mutual trust and to identify goals, strengths and necessary services and supports.

PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITES: 

• Assists the ERSEA Coordinator in recruiting all potential Head Start children for the program year in each respective center.
• Assists ERSEA coordinator in accordance with application policies which shall include: assistance with completing any incomplete applications, obtaining supporting documentation, and conducting interviews with families. 
• Partners with families to helps them to identify their family strengths, needs and goals in order to create opportunities for family-centered services that follow family support principles. 
• Maintains accurate and up-to-date records for Social Service, Family Partnership, Parent Involvement and Community Partnership areas:
• Completes Family Needs and Interests Survey with the family at or near enrollment. 
• Maintains Family Partnership Agreement regarding family goal development. 
• Documents all significant contacts, PIR information, referrals, etc. in Child Plus. 
• Maintains all records as required by the Head Start Performance Standards for health and nutrition. Remind parents of physicals, dentals, vision and hearing, Hgb, lead requirements and follow-up as needed. Document in ChildPlus. Assist with transportation as necessary. 
• Provides support for all families and, in partnership with families, makes referrals to community services provided by public and private agencies and organizations as needs are identified. Provides follow-up regarding referrals to assure that quality services are provided as needed. 
• Contacts families regarding children's specific needs when a need is referred from Education, Health or Nutrition staff. 
• Acts, in a supportive role, as an advocate for child and family. 
• Makes regular contact with all Head Start families through home visits, telephone calls, and meetings at the center Ensures scheduling all contacts at the convenience of the family. 
• Coordinates home visits with the center staff when concerns and purposes are mutual. When· needed, work alternate hours to accommodate the needs of the program and families. 
• With teaching staff providing absentee information, contacts the family after two consecutive days of unexplained absences or frequent absences providing assistance as required to support regular attendance. 
• Facilitates the use of interpreters, according to family preference when the primary language spoken by the family is other than English.
• Coordinates with teaching the implementation of parent involvement programs including planning parent meetings, actively supporting parent committee officers, soliciting parent involvement in the classroom, and other parent engagement activities. 
• Actively supports families to attend Policy Council and Health Services Advisory Committee meetings and arranging for translation as needed. 
• Demonstrates the understanding of In Kind and shares information with parents as it pertains to their participation in parent involvement opportunities within our program. 
• Assist with vision, hearing, dental and other screenings as needed and all necessary follow-up in these areas or other health needs. Inform parents of the need to schedule and keep appointments for all screenings and follow-up services/treatments. 
• Reviews and makes available parent education materials in all areas. Assures that parents are notified of Head Start meetings, activities, and resources. 
• Develops a knowledge of and working relationship with community agencies and resources. Attends community meetings where Head Start representation is appropriate. 
• Annually updates Center Resource List. Provides all incoming Head Start families with a Center Resource list and B-M CAP Brochure and provides information and training to help families use the resources effectively. 
• Promotes parenting curriculum, Positive Solutions for Families, within the program and the. community. 
• Actively participates in staff meetings and the overall functions of the Head Start center team. 
• Provides emergency assistance and crisis intervention for families as appropriate and necessary. 
• Participates in classroom activities as time and circumstances permit. 
• Continues to gain knowledge and expertise in child development and early childhood education, the principles of child health, disability, safety and nutrition, adult learning principles and family dynamics. 
• Attends regularly scheduled staff meetings, trainings and CAP events as they relate to the involvement of services to families. 
• Demonstrates a strong commitment to the dignity and privacy of each family, keeping all family information confidential. 
• Demonstrates through positive words and actions respect for and acceptance of income eligible families. 
• Reports suspected cases of child abuse or neglect to ERSEA/Family Services Manager and to DCYF Central Intake at 1-800-894-5533. 
• Maintains a positive and productive attitude regarding the Head Start Program and the CAP agency when interacting both within the Head Start setting and the community. 

CAPBM FULL TIME BENEFITS

• Paid Time Off – Earn up to four weeks in your first year
• Paid Holidays – 12 per year
• Health Insurance (with Free Dental and Vision)
• Health Reimbursement Account
• Health Insurance Buyout
• Voluntary Dental Insurance
• Voluntary Vision Insurance
• Voluntary Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA & DCA)
• Employer paid Life Insurance
• Employer paid Short and Long Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Accident & Critical Illness Insurance
• Voluntary 403(b) with 5% Employer Match After One Year
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Mileage Reimbursement
• Federal Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Requirements

Experience:

• Ability to perform administrative tasks.
• Ability to effectively communicate with young children and to comfortably relate to low-income families.
• Knowledge of inter-disciplinary approach to working with young children and their families.
• Ability to coordinate and work with human services agencies, community organizations and Head Start staff.

Education:

• Must obtain a credential or certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling, or a related field within 18 months of hire.

License/Certification:

• Successful completion of criminal record check.
• Valid driver’s license with access to reliable transportation for required travel.

For consideration, please submit a resume and cover letter. 

Community Action Program Belknap-Merrimack Counties, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Salary : $19 - $22