Early Head Start Family Support Quality Improvement Specialist

Early Head Start Family Support Quality Improvement Specialist

Reports to: Family and Community Engagement Manager

Qualifications:

Education: BA/BS degree in social work or other human service related field.

Work Experience: A minimum of three (3) years’ experience working with children and families, preferably economically challenged children and families.

Requirements/Aptitudes: Excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to provide empathic services; ability to relate to children and families served, good problem solving skills; valid driver’s license and automobile insurance .

Essential Functions:

• Engage families through the establishment of a trusting relationship with assigned families by providing meaningful and consistent client contact as specified in the Early Head Start Policies and Procedures.
• Assist families with the development and ongoing implementation of a family led Family Partnership Agreement and/or Individual Family Support Plan with goals, objectives, and activities to meet the individual families’ needs.
• Recognize the widespread impact of trauma and pathways to recovery
• Work closely with an additional family support staff member or mental health consultant to help staff identify signs of trauma among families, provide connection to needed resources, and integrate supports and services to assist in healing
• Build and/or enhance collaborative services with local substance abuse and mental health treatment programs, domestic violence service providers, disaster response programs, child welfare agencies, and others.
• Track and maintain documented evidence that assigned families are moving toward self-sufficiency.
• Arrange transportation for families as needed to and from medical and/ or social services appointments, center functions, policy council meetings, outings, and social events. .
• Provide families a variety of training educational, and literacy opportunities in cooperation with other agency staff and community organizations, to strengthen their knowledge of child development, employability and other individualized needs.
• Work collaboratively with EHS-CCP provider Directors and staff to ensure that center programming meets the needs of children and families (when applicable).
• Apply working knowledge of parent/child interaction, child development, and the dynamics of child abuse and neglect to help families improve parenting skills, reduce family stress, and meet family needs. Assist parents in developing problem-solving and coping skills by providing supportive listening and/or referring them to appropriate community agencies.
• Work with teachers and directors to support family involvement in Raising a Reader.
• Perform home visits as needed to support the program and families.
• Assist health staff in assuring all assigned children have up-to-date medical information, and assist parents in strengthening their knowledge of health and nutrition.
• Assist in the recruitment and enrollment of eligible children and families into the CCRI EHS-CCP program.
• Inform supervisor immediately of circumstances that may require that a family member be referred to Child Protective Services because of “imminent” or “threatened” harm, abuse or neglect.
• Demonstrate respect for others by sharing information objectively and non-judgmentally and adjusting verbal and written communication strategies for different audiences
• Employ a culturally competent and flexible approach when working with people from various cultures by acknowledging, accepting, and accommodating differences (e.g., providing information in an understandable format and/or language for those who have limited/no reading skills or who are English language learners)
• Plan, develop, and participate in all special events, groups, and activities that support families in the EHS-CCP program.
• Record and maintain written records of, all family meetings (one on one or group meetings, along with any observations, activities, and communications with center staff as required. Submit all reports in a timely fashion.
• Assure each Master File is current and up-to-date including documented family contacts.
• Maintain confidentiality of family information and maintain professional boundaries
• Attend staff development opportunities and obtain additional training as recommended by supervisor throughout the program year. Appropriately document all professional development activities.
• Comply with all CCRI personnel policies.
• Work cooperatively with CCRI staff, parents, volunteers and community to foster coordinated and integrated program operations.
• Support and interpret CCRI mission, programs, objectives, concepts, and goals.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned by Supervisor or EHS-CCP Director.

Supervisory Responsibility: None

Physical Demands: The employee is regularly required to talk and hear. This position is active and requires standing, walking, bending and lifting up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required include: close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception and the ability adjust focus. Also required to engage in general office activities including, but not limited to, the use of personal computers and other office equipment.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work: CCRI’s work week is Monday through Friday. This is a full-time, full year position, with hours set by supervisor.

Travel: Regular local and regional travel to providers under contract with CCRI’s EHS-CCP program.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications: Employee must successfully complete all background checks including a drug test and fingerprint clearance. Employee must also have a physical exam and a negative TB test.

AAP/EEO Statement: CCRI is an equal opportunity employer. CCRI does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, handicap, age, disability, veteran status or any other basis protected under federal, state or local laws.