Bilingual Head Start Family Service Worker

At the present time, a full-time vacancy exists for a Bilingual Family Service Worker position with the Head Start Program within the division of Student Services of the Chester County Intermediate Unit. This position will be located at the Gordon Early Literacy Center in Coatesville, PA. 

Summary:
The Bilingual Head Start Family Service Worker performs a variety of duties designed to aid the parents in their role as their child's first and primary educator. They serve as a link between the Head Start program (nutrition, health, education) and the family, and they also link the families to community resources. Experience and/or education permits some latitude in judgment and decision-making regarding families and children.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain a confidential profile of pertinent data for identifying families need, strengths, and goals
• Establish a supportive relationship with the families
• Make home visits following established timelines to families of Head Start children to identify social needs, collect data, and obtain parental signatures
• Establish a plan to empower Head Start parents to provide for their own needs
• Effectively and efficiently deal with emergency needs of Head Start children and families
• Serve as a liaison between the Head Start centers and the home of the families
• Encourage parental involvement to participate as members of the Policy Council, center parent committees, classroom volunteers, etc
• Act as an advocate and spokesperson for Head Start families
• Provide continued services to children and their families
• Maintain daily contact with assigned Child Development Specialist concerning student and family needs, including progress, behavior, special needs, absences, and provide necessary support and assistance to the CDS family
• Maintain ongoing contact with the Family and Community Engagement Specialsit to discuss concerns regarding particular children, families or services
• Report suspected abuse or neglect, child injuries, patterns of medical neglect and related concenrs directly to the Health Specialist
• Substitute in the classroom as a Child Development Specialist or Child Development Assistant as required
• Review and update all data related to family needs and goals using identified database on a weekly basis
• If a specialist (CDS, Health, etc...) or parent has a concern regarding students needs, the FSW is expected to appropriately refer them to community agencies
• Develop and maintain partnerships in the community to provide appropriate supports to all Head Start families
• facilitate student transition to school age program
• Ensure confidentiality of information as required by federal, state, and local mandates
• Maintain proper documentation of contacts and follow-up with parents, students, and agenies

Qualifications:
Education and Experience:

• BA or BS degree in Social Services, Education or Psychology required; degree in Social Work strongly preferred
• Bilingual & Biliterate required- Spanish
• Bicultural strongly preferred

Professional or Other Required Clearances

• Valid Driver's License & reliable transportation required
• Current police, child abuse, and FBI fingerprint clearances within 1 year required

Salary:
Project, HS1: $30.20/hr. - $38.60/hr. // $45,300/yr. - $57,900/yr. 
* Placement on band is based on years of direct experience in a comparable role.
Monday - Friday, 7.5 hours per day, 200 days per year

Location:
Gordon Early Literacy Center: 351 Kersey Street, Coatesville, PA 19320

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Equal Opportunity Employer
Chester County Intermediate Unit is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Chester County Intermediate Unit ensures equal employment opportunities regardless of race, creed, gender, color, national origin, religion, age, sexual orientation or disability. Chester County Intermediate Unit has a policy of active recruitment of qualified minority teachers and non-certified employees. Any individual needing assistance in making application for any opening should contact the Department of Human Resources at 484-237-5085.