Family Support Specialist (BR)

Work Calendar: 10-month, grant-funded position

Compensation: $21.00/hour 
This position is a non-union, grant-funded position. Continuing employment is contingent upon yearly grant approval.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Preferred Associate's degree in child development, early childhood education, social work, or a related field desired
• Commitment to supporting at-risk families
• Cultural and linguistic competency appropriate to the service area

Job Summary: The Family Support Liaison will work collaboratively with the Community/Family Outreach Coordinator, families, and educational staff to support the needs of the early childhood programs. The Family Support Liaison will ensure the needs of the whole child are met in additional to supporting parents/guardians in addressing their family needs, setting, and achieving ambitious goals. 

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Educate parents on the importance of early learning programs (i.e. parent/child playgroups, parent engagement activities/events, and community preschool screenings)
• Support parents during enrollment process
• Support program efforts to identify and recruit the most at-risk children in the community
• Document and track services provided to families
• Establish regular contact with families primarily through home visits. Maintain contact with families to a degree sufficient to monitor and assist progress towards identified goals (at least once a month).
• Coordinate parent discussion groups/ training/engagement opportunities for the Early Learning Community.
• Coordinate referrals to services and related agencies to meet the needs identified and assist with identifying/establishing natural and professional supports in the community.
• Coordinate and conduct home visits as needed to support home-school connection, address attendance concerns and provide other family support.
• Provide support to children with special needs, including empowering parents as advocates for their children.
• Maintain confidential family/individual records in a complete and orderly manner
• Monitor progress on child outcomes related to positive social-emotional skills, ability to acquire and use knowledge/skills, and appropriate behaviors to meet needs.
• Develop a personal knowledge of topics related to parent requests through use of literature, personal contacts, electronic resources, and professional development. Share information and resources regarding developmental milestones.
• Encourage, model, and coach appropriate early childhood practices, parenting skills and behavior management/modification techniques.
• Promote self-reflection by caregivers on actions to determine the effectiveness of actions or practices within daily routines.

Knowledge and Abilities:

• Proficient in computer operations, word processing, email, spreadsheets, student database systems
  and other equipment, such as copiers, telephones, and fax machines.
• This position will be expected to travel to various schools for events and parent
  outreach and to participate in occasional evening and weekend events
• Experience working with young children and families preferred
• The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work to be performed by the person in this position. This description does not state or imply that the above are the only duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. All job requirements are subject to possible modification.