Family Engagement Specialist
11 days ago
Lincoln
Job Description SUMMARY: Educare Lincoln is a collaborative partnership between the Lincoln Public Schools (LPS), University of Nebraska – Lincoln (UNL), Early Head Start (EHS), and the Buffett Early Childhood Fund. The mission of Educare Lincoln is to help young children thrive socially, emotionally, and academically through high-quality early childhood education, and in partnership with their families and the community. The EHS program (ages 6 weeks to 3 years) and the preschool program (ages 3 years to 5 years) promote school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through the provision of evidence-based education, health, nutritional, social, and other services to enrolled children and their families. The Family Engagement Specialist assists in the recruitment, enrollment, and monitoring of attendance of Educare students. They team with teaching and administrative staff to develop and implement family engagement opportunities to enhance family well-being, promote positive parent-child relationships, support family members as lifelong educators, engage family members as learners, inform families during the transition of their children from one developmental program to another, connect family members to peers and their community, and promote family members’ abilities to advocate and serve as leaders in their community. The Family Engagement Specialist also assists families as needed to address crisis events that may impact a child’s regular participation in the program and/or relate to basic family needs. MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND KEY TASKS: Family Engagement • Engage with fellow staff, family members, and children in a manner sensitive to the experiences, needs, and strengths of low-income and diverse populations as well as individuals with disabilities., • Identify family strengths and areas of need by completing a Family Needs Assessment and updating as needed., • Assist family members in identifying goals in the areas of family–child relationships, knowledge of child development, advocacy, and involvement during the Family Partnership Agreement process., • Support families of children with disabilities and/or behavioral concerns through building relationships and communicating/advocating with teachers and administrative staff within the educational system and during the transition process., • Plan and facilitate regularly scheduled family activities and family involvement events to respond to families’ interests and/or needs. Activities may include individual, small group, and/or large group sharing of information regarding child development and self-sufficiency issues as identified by families. Interdisciplinary Responsibilities • Participate in interdisciplinary work with the Health Services Coordinator and/or teaching staff to do the following:, • Create plan for identifying classroom instructional goals, gathering and documenting observation data, sharing data with families, and developing and facilitating related family activities., • Follow up on the health care needs of children and families., • Identify expecting families and provide them with health and social support information as well as referrals., • Coordinate the delivery of services to the family and/or child in response to the needs identified by the family., • Provide information and guidance to assist the child and family as the child transitions from the Infant and Toddler program to the Preschool Program, and from the Preschool Program to Kindergarten., • Meet with parents regularly about their child’s progress, including at least two family/staff conferences and two home visits per year. Case Management • Refer and link children and families to needed community services as identified during the Family Needs Assessment, Family Partnership Agreement process, and in other ways as needed., • Support and assist families in times of crisis., • Act as an advocate on behalf of families with community agencies., • Assist families in initiating and maintaining eligibility for childcare development block grants and/or a private pay agreement., • Document services provided to children and families to include follow up on referrals made and the resulting outcomes to ensure families’ needs are met., • Maintain manual and electronic files and records in an organized fashion for providing required information and/or documentation as needed. ERSEA (Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, Attendance), • Collaborate with the Family Engagement Outreach Coordinator to recruit and enroll children and families eligible for comprehensive services, while maintaining full enrollment, and serve families most in need of services, all according to federal guidelines., • Complete necessary paperwork (applications, enrollment forms, releases, etc.), • Provide an interdisciplinary orientation for families regarding the program opportunities and expectations., • Follow up on attendance issues including excessive tardiness to identify and address barriers., • Disseminate and assist families in completing the annual parent surveys. Other, • Plan and facilitate a regular informational/activity meeting for families., • Represent Educare at community events in a positive and professional manner., • Perform other duties as assigned. QUALIFICATIONS: • Associate’s degree in Human Services, Social Work, or related field required; bachelor’s degree preferred., • Two years of experience working with families in a community-based, culturally and/or socioeconomically diverse, or family-centered program required., • Previous Head Start or early childhood experience preferred., • Valid driver’s license and automobile insurance required., • Must be able to pass a background check that meets compliance standards. ESSENTIAL SKILLS / ABILITIES REQUIRED: • Ability to establish supportive relationships and form an alliance with staff and families, from diverse backgrounds, on behalf of children., • Knowledge of community culture, resources, and services to ensure families receive comprehensive services., • Knowledge of state TANF and/or childcare block grant regulations., • Ability and willingness to travel to community agencies and/or make home visits., • Knowledge of principles and best practices of family engagement., • Basic knowledge of child development., • Experience in public speaking and ability to facilitate small groups., • Ability to work a flexible schedule including mornings, evenings, and/or weekends., • Ability to provide effective assistance in crises situations., • Ability to work cooperatively with an interdisciplinary team of professionals., • Ability to effectively communicate, verbally and in writing, in a manner that demonstrates and fosters cooperation, respect, concern, and openness to change., • Ability to take or think about the perspective of others and demonstrate self-awareness of one’s own culture, beliefs, and values., • Organization skills with the ability to manage time and multiple priorities., • Ability to collaboratively problem-solve., • Ability to participate in and utilize reflective supervision., • Ability to maintain boundaries and perform all duties in an ethical and professional manner., • Comply with all confidentiality regulations as required., • Ability to obtain First Aid and CPR certification., • Ability to operate a computer and office equipment including, but not limited to a telephone, fax machine, and copier., • Ability to lift, carry, and move center/classroom equipment, supplies, bulky objects and/or children weighing up to 50 lbs., • Ability to walk or run quickly, kneel or sit on floor, bend, lift, and walk over rough or uneven ground in and outside of the facility.