Job Summary and Responsibilities/Duties

MISSION STATEMENT Increasing the success of children and families by building on strengths.

PURPOSE Establishes and maintains relationships with families based on trust and respect. Provides consultation to families in the program helping them in the evaluation, planning, and achieving their family goals and success. Works with families in the areas of Social Services, Transitions, Health, Nutrition, Inclusion, Mental Health, and Parent Engagement. Develops compassionate partnerships with families, and provides referrals and support in accessing community resources for needed services. Assists families in crisis and supports the culture and value of each family. Provides parent education opportunities.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES
PARENT PARTNERSHIP/COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

• Parent Partnership and Individualized Planning
  • Consults with families to evaluate family needs and develops individualized support plans that describe family strengths, goals, resources, and needed services.
  • Works with other staff to engage parents in family and child individualized goals.
  • Engages parents as full partners in the education of their child and their preparation for and transition to kindergarten, including providing resources for interactive activities with their child at school, at home and in the community.
  • Encourages and maintains active parent leadership in the center, providing parents opportunities to be involved in group activities, including Policy Council, Parent Center Committee meetings and educational activities, based on interest and need.
  • Facilitates, develops content, and plans for Parent Center Committee meetings and workshops based on interests and needs.
  • Engages parents in contributing to program activities and services through volunteering, community service, etc.
• Acts as a liaison between Head Start and the community, establishing and maintaining relationships with various community members and organizations. Develops and maintains relationships with community social service, health, and mental health agencies.
• Works occasional evening hours as assigned to accommodate program and family needs. (i.e., monthly parent meetings, home visits, evening services, etc.)

• Develops strong working relationships with families to facilitate the development of individual and family goals relevant and meaningful to each individual family.
  • Provides a minimum of two home visits to families per program year and provides additional home visits as necessary to meet family needs.
    • Provides support, education and resources to parents to ensure the health and well-being of child and family.
• Assists families in obtaining current, up-to-date preventative medical, dental, mental health, disabilities, and nutrition requirements, including all necessary referrals and follow-up.
  • Obtains appropriate release of information forms.
    • Assists families in accessing services and address barriers to service, as needed, including advocacy with service providers when appropriate.
    • Maintains active and current documentation of needed treatments, follow-up efforts and plans made with families.
    • Provides referrals or resources as appropriate.
      • Provides crisis intervention supports to families to help them quickly achieve stability and safety.

• Actively conducts outreach and recruitment on weekends and evening hours as assigned.
• Completes eligibility verification for new families applying for services.
• Maintains full enrollment at assigned centers ensuring all timelines are met.
• Works closely with teacher(s) and families to address child attendance concerns and follow up on high need attendance referrals to address barriers to child attendance.

• Maintains accurate, organized and up to date documentation of all efforts and contacts in working with families (i.e., referrals made, resources provided, home visit scheduling/documentation).
• Ensures health requirements and follow-up are completed and documented in electronic system per required timelines.
• Completes, updates, and maintains all relevant forms (electronic, paper, etc.) in an accurate and timely manner.

• Communicates and debriefs with staff at center
  • Attends and participates in center, department, and agency meetings, as assigned;
  • Participates in regular child staffings in partnership with Teacher and/or Education Site Manager, and co-enrolled teams;
  • Participates and coordinates in consultations and action plan meetings as requested;
  • Maintains ongoing communication with teacher(s), bus driver(s), co-enrolled staff, etc. regarding shared children and families;
  • Facilitates open communication and promote group problem solving;
  • Attends other interagency meetings, as requested;
• Maintains confidentiality in matters concerning CDFS families.
• Communicate program messaging and emergency closures as needed during non- program days and hours.

• Works assigned schedule, and exhibits regular and predictable attendance. Will maintain an up-to-date Outlook calendar that is shared with their Education Site Manager, Family Services Manager and PFCE Specialists.
• Participate in regular training and technical assistance activities.
  • Actively seek to maintain and increase competencies.
    • Provides training, technical assistance and leadership to the site in the areas of social services, child abuse and parent involvement.

• Must relate in a positive, nurturing way, both verbally and physically, and be sensitive to the needs of children, parents/guardians, and co-workers.
• Must use quick, safe, reactions and responses when working with children and families.
• Must work to understand issues of difference, privilege and social justice, to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities and to cultivate a respectful, inclusive and accessible learning and working environment.

• Maintain a safe and pleasant work environment.
• Maintain agency work site equipment and materials.
• Follow safety regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Actively contribute towards promoting a safe workplace & environment.

• May be assigned other related duties as appropriate. This job description describes the general nature and level of work, but is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties which may be required.

• Report suspected cases of child abuse or neglect in accordance to state law and agency policy.
• Maintenance of center facilities, equipment and materials.
• Represent agency on various committees and projects.
• Rides school bus as needed.

Minimum and Desired Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be enrolled in the Oregon Central Background Registry prior to beginning employment. Enrollment must be continuous in order to maintain employment.
• High school diploma or GED certificate and one of the following:
• Approved Social Service Certificate/Credential OR
• Associate degree in social service, mental health or related field OR
• Bachelors degree (or higher) in social work, counseling, psychology or related field
• Two (2) years of experience in a social services field or related profession
• Experience working with diverse backgrounds of the Colleges community, students and employees; demonstrated commitment to promoting access and diversity
• Current drivers license, insurance, and access to a reliable automobile during work hours
• Experience working with diverse backgrounds of the Colleges community, students and employees; demonstrated commitment to promoting access and diversity

Additional Qualifications and/or Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

EMPLOYMENT CONTINGENT UPON

• Post-offer fitness for duty evaluation, must be obtained within 30 days of hire date:
  • TB screening
  • Health appraisal
• Central Background Registry enrollment
• Health and Safety (IHHS) Certification within 30 days of hire
• Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect (RRCAN) Certification within 30 days of hire
• Foundations For Learning within 30 days of hire
• Safe Sleep within 30 days of hire (EHS Staff only)
• Obtain Food Handlers Certificate within 30 days of hire
• Current Drivers license, insurance, and access to a reliable automobile during work hours

Working Conditions and Important Information

Essential Skills: Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills and computer proficiency. Ability to work as a team player and facilitate groups for families and/or staff training. Ability to engage in meaningful partnerships with families, co-workers and community members. Must possess intervention and leadership skills.

Essential Mental Abilities: Ability to be organized, flexible and resolution oriented. Ability to multi-task, make sound judgments, analyze, organize and prioritize. Ability to work as a team member and to be self-directed. Ability to accept, reflect and act upon feedback. Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Essential Physical Requirements: Ability to occasionally lift/carry up to 50 lbs. a distance of 10 feet and to push/pull up to 50 lbs. a distance of 10 yards. Ability to sit for extended periods of time. Sufficient mobility and range of motion to perform intermittent standing, walking, balancing, stooping, bending, crouching, crawling, reaching, squatting or kneeling, twisting and ascend/descend stairs/steps for up to 8 hours per day. Ability to intermittently perform physical requirements of bus monitor duties. Ability to operate a motor vehicle. Sufficient vision and hearing to perform job duties. Sufficient manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination to perform job duties.

Exposure to Hazards: Unpredictable child and family behavior, hazardous chemicals, contagious conditions, work with office equipment. Driving and riding in motor vehicles. Working conditions include indoor/outdoor environments, preschool center classrooms, playgrounds, offices, frequent local and occasional out-of-town travel.