Family Service Assistant

About the YMCA of Metro Atlanta

The YMCA of Metro Atlanta is a thought-leader and best-in-class provider in education, wellness, youth development, and community-building. As one of the oldest and most essential non-profits serving Atlanta, we carry out our mission to positively impact lives and communities across the state. In a year, we provide:

• High-quality literacy and STEAM-infused learning for over 3,000 children (ages 6 weeks through Pre-K);
• Access to sports, aquatics, day and resident camps, teen leadership development programs, and employment opportunities for 58,000 youth and teens;
• Programs, services, and facilities for over 200,000 members to maintain wellness and connection;
• Engagement for over 25,000 volunteers and donors supporting their communities.

We are an association of like-minded people—staff, volunteers, and members—working to ensure everyone, especially children, has an equal opportunity to reach their full potential.

About the Role

Under the direction of the Center Director, the Family Services Assistant (FSA) will administer and evaluate services to children and families. This position is primarily responsible for implementing the YMCA’s Early Learning Family Services program and achieving success for children and families.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and support the delivery of comprehensive family services in Health, Nutrition, Social Services, Eligibility (ERSEA), and Education.
• Serve as a family advocate to support family well-being and promote children's learning and development for the 0-5 Head Start and Early Head Start Program.
• Maintain required documentation for Head Start, Bright from the Start (BFTS), GA Pre-K, Quality Rated, and YMCA of Metro Atlanta, as well as other governing agencies.
• Recruit eligible children, including those with disabilities, and assist families in completing registrations.
• Develop and provide intervention strategies to improve and promote regular attendance.
• Monitor attendance and discuss the importance of regular attendance with families.
• Make referrals to the Disabilities/Mental Health Specialist for children with disabilities prior to enrollment.
• Monitor center attendance and develop strategies for families with chronic absenteeism.
• Identify families’ needs, interests, strengths, goals, services, and resources that support family well-being.
• Review individual progress, revise goals, evaluate, and track identified needs and family progress.
• Make referrals and conduct follow-up reviews to ensure the delivery of services.
• Establish and maintain a network of resource contacts to facilitate services and referrals for emergency and crisis situations.
• Maintain accurate and detailed documentation of case management services within ChildPlus software and other required data management systems.
• Conduct home visits.
• Develop community partnerships and serve as a parent liaison between the program, resources, and services.
• Collaborate with the Parent Family and Community Engagement team to develop and implement parent engagement opportunities aligned with the Parent Family Community Engagement framework.
• Support parent activities that promote child learning and development in Education, Health, Transition, Parent-child relationship, Literacy, and Bi-literacy.
• Establish and maintain a system for ensuring children’s health screenings and exams, and obtain complete health history and parental consent for all health/education screenings.
• Maintain accurate health/medical and immunization documentation in files and within ChildPlus Software.
• Coordinate medical appointments and connect families to Medical Homes.
• Ensure treatment plans are documented and delivered.
• Administer first aid as needed (documentation of current training required).
• Dispense and administer medication in accordance with medication procedures (documentation of training required).
• Participate in all Medical Staffing involving children and families.
• Provide families with health summaries.
• Maintain first aid supplies in a safe and secure location.
• Participate in agency-wide projects/systems such as Community Assessments, Self-Assessments, Strategic Planning, Trainings, and the development/review of policy and procedures.
• Establish, update, maintain, and close confidential files on all enrollees, including ChildPlus data entry in all appropriate modules.
• Maintain, update, and distribute the Resource Directory.
• Support a welcoming and nurturing environment that incorporates the unique cultural, ethnic, and linguistic backgrounds of families in the program and community.
• Review CACFP Income Eligibility Application forms and correctly determine free, reduced, and paid eligibility categories for each child enrolled during each month.
• Serve as Director on Duty when the Senior Director is absent from the building and as needed.
• Serve as a floater between classrooms to relieve staff from breaks, trainings, and absences, and assist in AM/PM carpool.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling, or a related field.
• Trained or have equivalent coursework in early childhood development with a focus on infant and toddler development.
• 1+ years of experience in case management and/or family engagement/supports/advocacy.
• Valid Driver’s License.
• Ability to travel for family visits.

Physical Demands

• Sitting, bending, stooping, standing.
• 15% repetitive keyboard work.
• Verbal communications and visual acuity.
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds.

Employment Requirements

• Ability to pass a pre-employment background check including criminal record check, drug screening, motor vehicle record (MVR), and reference check according to company policy.
• Must be legally eligible to work in the U.S. without current or future sponsorship.

Benefits

The YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta offers excellent benefits and career opportunities as part of our culture of excellence. We are looking for like-minded people who share our values of CARING, HONESTY, RESPECT, and RESPONSIBILITY to join us and do their best work.

Location: YMCA South DeKalb Early Learning Center