Family Service Worker

General Purpose

The Family Service Worker assists in achieving instructional objectives and Federal Performance Standards by working with individual families to promote their achievement and overall success, as well as involvement in the Head Start program, so that the families are a strong system of support for the students’ achievement and overall success.

Responsibilities

• Conduct family member interviews to ascertain strengths, needs and assist family members in creating annual goals and objectives to achieve those goals.
• Familiarize the parent with available resources in the area served, while providing documented services and referrals to individuals and families, including financial literacy and income tax assistance referrals.
• Develop community resources and natural support to utilize while assisting families in identifying community resources, education opportunities, employment assistance, housing assistance, financial literacy and income tax filing, based on aptitudes, interest, available transportation, and needs.
• Assist families in meeting immediate needs and those in crisis with resources while addressing mental health issues, substance abuse issues, and domestic violence issues.
• Provide referrals as appropriate.
• Assist with child recruitment and enrollment for the program year.
• Help organize and facilitate parent involvement in the center and encourage parent participation as volunteers in parent training sessions.
• Provide transportation or arrange transportation for families to attend agency or health services appointments as needed.
• Make periodic home visits, including at least one with each family on assigned caseload.
• Make monthly phone or personal contacts with each family on assigned caseload.
• Help obtain and organize food, clothing and other resources and donations from community partners.
• Provide support to all Head Start (HS), Virginia Preschool Initiative (VPI) and Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) staff while adhering to and fully implementing Head Start Federal Performance Standards and other federal and state regulations required by the Head Start, VPI and ECSE programs.
• Assist with the reasonable supervision of students during emergency drills, assemblies, play periods, field trips, and instructional activities.
• Assist with other school-wide needs.
• Assist with special events in the evenings and weekends as needed.

Qualifications

A high school diploma, or G.E.D. or any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from high school. Hold or within one year obtain a Family Development Associate certificate, other family services certificate or an Associate or Bachelor degree in social work, counseling or related field.

Skills

• Hold a valid Virginia Driver’s License with a good driving record to be able to operate a county vehicle.
• Operate and care for a variety of equipment used in conjunction with the instructional program.
• Establish and maintain community service linkages: developing community resources, advocacy, referral, and follow-up.
• Work cooperatively in a team environment to meet goals.
• Organize and perform work independently.
• Meet deadlines for all work even when working on multiple projects.
• Show sustained effort and enthusiasm in quality and quantity of work.

Knowledge

• Basic curriculum expectations, teaching strategies and computer applications.
• All aspects of Head Start Program including the performance standards, the program plans and all program policies.
• Philosophy and goals of the program in order to help the parents become active participants for their children.
• Head Start Federal Performance Standards and other federal and state regulations required by the Head Start program.

Working Conditions And Physical Requirements

Work environment is primarily inside, with moderate noise, temperatures that are moderate, and no exposure to chemicals or other negative air quality elements. The work is light work, requiring exertion of up to 20 pounds of force to move or lift objects.

The following physical and mental abilities are representative of those expected to complete the essential functions of the job: standing for prolonged periods; sitting for prolonged periods; operating motor vehicles or heavy equipment; moving the hands, wrists, or fingers repetitively; moving with force on the back or lower body repetitively; feeling, grasping, or holding objects by hand; identifying colors visually; identifying objects in low light or distant conditions; communicating via spoken language; communicating via written language; perceiving sounds; making decisions using logic and rational thinking.