Job Description

Job Title:	Family Service Worker – Head Start
Grade Level/Terms of Employment:	Unified Pay Schedule, Pay Grade 110 260 Days (12 months)
FLSA Status:	Non-exempt
Work Location:	Assigned Sites
Immediate Supervisor:	Lead Health and Family Services Specialist

 

General Description: 

Head Start is committed to establishing a learning environment in which children, families, and staff can teach and learn from one another. The Family Service Worker serves as a liaison and support between families and community resources as families work to strengthen themselves and support their children by meeting specific individualized goals. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

·         Conducts home visits with assigned families to develop mutual trust and respect

·         Prepares and submits weekly schedules in a timely manner; maintains monthly contact with each family

·         Conducts home visits to complete enrollment paperwork, strength-based assessments, Family Partnership Agreements, referrals, and other Family Services activities and provides follow-up in a timely manner; maintains accurate and timely documentation including monthly reports in the database

·         Establishes and maintains ongoing, up-to-date partnerships with community agencies to provide services to families

·         Links families to appropriate resources and referrals in the community to meet their needs and goals (i.e., crisis/emergency services, food, clothing, shelter, counseling, job training) and follows up in a timely manner

·         Collaborates with other staff to assist families in accessing health resources (i.e., insurance, medical and dental home, follow-up treatment, etc.) to support meeting children’s health requirements

·         Monitors attendance/tardiness and follows up with any family to address ongoing absences and tardiness

·         Visits assigned classrooms regularly

·         Provides opportunities for families to share and receive program information through family meetings

·         Assists in planning various parent engagement and education programs that are responsive to family needs, concerns, and requests and supports families in their role as the primary influence in their children’s lives

·         Conducts outreach and recruitment efforts to inform families of the Early Head Start (EHS)/Head Start (HS) Program and its requirements and participates in ongoing enrollment efforts

·         Attends local and national conferences, training, and/or workshops as needed

·         Performs other related duties as required

Qualifications:

●        Associates Degree required; Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services, Social Work, Family Services, or related field preferred

●        At least two years training or work experience in social services, human services, family services, or providing services to children and families

●        Ability, within eighteen months of hire, to obtain a credential or certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling, or a related field

●        Familiar with Head Start Program Performance Standards/Head Start Act, State of Virginia licensing requirements, Richmond Public Schools policies, and the EHS/Head Start Program procedures

●        Outstanding interpersonal and teamwork skills; ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders

●        Demonstrated understanding of and sensitivity to the diverse cultural, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds of RPS families

●        Strong written and verbal communication skills, including being able to communicate to a wide audience using inclusive language

●        Strong computer skills and knowledge of databases and relevant software programs; proficiency in Google Suites

●        Possess a valid Virginia Driver’s License and have use of a personal vehicle

●        Bilingual/fluency in Spanish preferred