Family Services Associate

Compensation

The initial compensation for this position is $26.66 per hour; depending on experience, location, and internal equity considerations.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental & Vision benefits
• Retirement options
• Flex Spending
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employee engagement and advocacy opportunities to advance justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives
• Benefits eligibility starts on Day 1

About the role

This position provides comprehensive support to families, helping them identify and achieve their goals through a family-centered case management approach. Responsibilities include guiding families in creating and implementing Family Partnership Agreements, conducting family needs assessments, and overseeing child files, enrollment applications, recruitment efforts, resources, and referrals. Additionally, this role assists in completing child health requirements and other necessary screenings and assessments. As part of the broader social services network coordinated by Head Start/Early Head Start, this position contributes directly to program goals. Reassignment of caseloads and/or center locations may occur as necessary to meet program needs.

Responsibilities

• Works with parents to develop family partnership agreements and carry out follow-up plans
• Participates in in-service, workshops, conferences, and college courses to enhance skills
• Recruits prospective families and assists with the enrollment process
• Monitors attendance and follows up accordingly
• Serves as a case manager, collaborating closely with local agencies to connect families with essential services and resources within the community
• Assists with the completion of child health screenings, other required screenings and assessments, and is familiar with referral requirements
• Submits referrals for children and families as needed and documents all follow-up actions in COPA
• Shares information with teachers to ensure coordinated services that meet the needs of individual children and families while respecting family confidentiality
• Provides health, safety, and family literacy activities to parents, as appropriate
• Collaborates with teachers and Family Child Care providers to encourage parent engagement, fostering opportunities for parents to participate as classroom visitors, volunteers, and active participants in family events
• Promotes effective community support for families by coordinating and advocating for services with community agencies
• Develops a working knowledge of community resources and partnership building in the community
• Refers families for emergency or crisis assistance
• Coordinates or refers families to opportunities for continuing education, employment training, and other employment services through formal or informal networking in the community
• Arranges for education and other appropriate interventions, including opportunities for families to participate in counseling or to receive information on mental health, child abuse and neglect, and domestic violence
• Attends parent/teacher conferences, as requested
• Assists teaching staff with Parent Committee meetings and other parent activities
• Assists families in making the transition into and out of the Early Head Start/Head Start Program
• Performs data entry functions as necessary to keep files up to date using the COPA database to maintain all child and family required information accurately
• Submits reports as needed and requested, such as monthly summary tracking reports, and follows up with families to determine if services received through referral met their expectations and circumstances
• Maintains and provides data for the annual Program Information Report (PIR)
• Attends all workshops and meetings as deemed necessary by the immediate supervisor and all required staff and parent meetings and activities
• Positively promotes Head Start in the community
• Exhibits patience and tact when communicating with children, families, staff, management, referral sources, and the public
• Reports to work on time and maintains reliable and regular attendance
• Models Pacific Clinics’ approach, mission, and core values in all communication and correspondence
• Communicates effectively in a culturally competent and diverse consumer population and promotes favorable interaction with managers, co-workers, and others
• Performs other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Associate degree required; Bachelor’s degree preferred in social work, human services, family services, or a related field
• If no degree, must meet Head Start Performance Standards 1302.91(e): within eighteen months of hire, obtain a credential or certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling, or a related field
• Two or more years of experience in social work, administration, or a similar field
• Demonstrated understanding of Head Start Performance Standards and local childcare licensing regulations
• Bilingual preferred (Spanish, Armenian, Chinese, Mandarin)
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work within deadlines and maintain time management skills
• Demonstrated ability to work in Windows environment (including MS Office, Excel) and database (COPA preferred)
• Must maintain DOJ, FBI, and Child Abuse Index Clearance
• Must possess current Pediatric CPR and First Aid Certification
• Must possess a valid California driver’s license, reliable transportation, and maintain an insurable driving record under the Clinics’ liability policy

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Travel time to make contact with families and agencies is required. Some exposure to communicable diseases. Travel/overnight may be required associated with attendance at conferences, meetings, and other duties. Noise level in the work environment may be moderate to loud. Must be available, as requested, for a variety of evening and weekend meetings as well as social and community events. May be required to lift up to 40 pounds. Driving is required. May have unsupervised contact with children. Requires full background check and TB exam.