Head Start Family Service Partner

JOB SUMMARY: Responsible for providing Family Support Services, including implementing, coordinating, and engaging families in the process; providing direct case management services to families enrolled in the ITCN Program in accordance with Head Start Performance Standards. This position is under the supervision and evaluated by the Head Start Lead Teacher, in collaboration with the Family Services Manager.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES including but not limited to:

• Establish mutual respectful partnerships with families to enhance the quality of their lives and their communities.
• Conduct outreach, door-to-door recruitment, and document ongoing recruitment
• Provide orientation on Philosophy of Program and Services
• Establish and maintain ongoing partnerships based on trust with
• Communicate effectively using appropriate verbal and nonverbal messages and reflective listening skills.
• Implement strategies including home visits to learn about families and the changing community,

Support the families' efforts to reach their goals.

Indicators: Head Start staff working with families must demonstrate their ability to do the following:

• Develop strength-based assessments with families that describe their goals, strengths, resources, and support networks, as well as necessary services and
• Develop, in partnership with the family, an individualized family
• Facilitate families’ problems-solving and teach problem-solving
• Advocate for the family and support them in advocating for
• Follow-up with the family on the progress toward meeting their goals and any needed revisions to the
• Assist with transitions to other programs, communities, and

Offer parents an opportunity to be engaged in group activities, including policy groups and educational activities based on interest and need.

Indicators: Head Start staff working with families must demonstrate their ability to do the following:

• Identify common interests and needs of parents in order to plan appropriate
• Work with parent groups on group formation, group processing, and
• Provide and/or coordinate training and educational opportunities for
• Engage parents in volunteering, community services and other ways of contributing to program activities and services

• Engage parents in volunteering, community services and other ways of contributing to program activities and

Provide opportunities for children and families to be engaged in Family Literacy Services

Indicators: Head Start staff working with families must demonstrate their ability to do the following:

• Working with other programs staff support interactive literacy activities between parents and their
• Provide training for parents on how to be the primary teacher for their children and full partners in the education of their
• Assist parents as adult learners to recognize and address their own literacy
• Linking and supporting parents in literacy training that contribute to self-sufficiency.

Coordinate and integrate Head Start services in order to enhance effectiveness.

Indicators: Head Start staff working with families must demonstrate their ability to do the following

• Serve as a productive team member on an interdisciplinary team of
• Participate in and facilitate case conferences to promote service
• Share knowledge of health, mental health, disabilities, and child development in order to ensure holistic service
• Promote and support parent involvement and leadership throughout the program.

Support families in accessing other community resources.

Indicators: Head Start staff working with families must demonstrate their ability to do the following

• Research and keep up to date on program and community
• Analyze the match of community resources to family needs and identify unmet family
• Refer families to community resources and follow-up on the effectiveness of
• Promote community partnerships that will improve support to

Ability To:

• Read and interpret documents, such as Head Start Performance Standards, ITCN Personnel Policies; and a variety of instructions furnished in written and oral
• Draft routine reports, correspondence and business communications that conform to prescribed style and format.
• Speak
• Obtain CPR Certification, TB & Hepatitis Screening (must submit copies).
• Travel away from assigned site for periods of a week at a time will be
• This position will be required to participate in program activities outside of their normal work hours and scheduled workdays; Flexing hours will be

Physical Demands:

• The work outlined in this job description involves considerable sitting, standing, walking, bending, and lifting (maximum of 45 lbs.) on a daily
• Employees must be able to respond when needed by prompt appearance at a required
• Employees must be able to work under physically and emotionally stressed
• The employee may be exposed to communicable
• This employee must have specific vision abilities, to include close vision, distant visions, peripheral vision, and depth perception.

QUALIFICATIONS: Must possess a valid Driver's License and reliable vehicle with the required state insurance coverage. Must have a High School Diploma or GED. (must submit a copy) Two (2) years of experience working in the field of Human Services, Early Childhood Education, Mental Health, Family Studies or related field; or an Associates of Arts from an accredited college or university in Human Services, Early Childhood Education or Family Development Credential with one (1) year full-time teaching experience in a Pre-School setting and familiarity with a Non-Profit, Public Sector, or Community Action Program, preferably Head Start or related Pre-School Program; and willingness to work primarily in the home of families residing in high-risk communities

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Work effectively in a guiding capacity and as part of a team in support of the Head Start Philosophy of shared authority and decision making at the center level and at the administration level. Read and interpret documents such as Head Start Performance Standards, Policies and Procedures, Personnel Policies, Safety rules, government guidelines and operating and maintenance instructions.

React with sensitivity to the emotional needs of children. To exercise good judgment, courtesy, and tactfulness in dealing with staff, parents, children, and community. Responds positively and constructively to common inquiries or complaints from parents, community and/or family members.

Work Environment:

Work is primarily performed in a standard office setting that is well lit, temperature controlled with low to moderate noise levels. Work is also performed in a variety of early childhood education centers with moderate to loud noise levels, in well-lit and temperature-controlled environments. May require some exposure to anti-bacterial hand sanitizers and standard household cleaning products as well as uneven terrain when carrying supplies to and from Head Start centers.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described herein are represented by those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee is regularly required to stand, reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk, sit, and use hands to handle or feel. The employee is regularly required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to forty-five pounds. The employee must have specific vision abilities required for this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception.

Supervisory: None