Family Services Worker

About the Program

The Early Head Start - Child Care Partnership (EHS-CCP) was established in 2015 to provide early, continuous, intensive, and comprehensive child development and family support services to eligible families and their infants and toddlers. Today, the program serves 72 children and their families through a variety of mixed-delivery care sites and a full range of comprehensive services. The EHS-CCP program partners with three of TCG’s EEC state-licensed child care programs: Community Day Learning program at 20 Ballard Way, the Infant-Toddler Teen Parent program at LHS, and 15 Family Child Care providers throughout Lawrence and Methuen.

EHS-CCP, along with several community partners, provides many resources including educational, health, nutritional, and behavioral services based on the needs of the child and family. The principles of Early Head Start are designed to nurture the relationship between the child and their parent and to focus on the strengths of each family. EHS parents are encouraged to participate in the Parent Policy Council to support program functions, approve policies, serve as leaders in the community, and develop lifelong skills.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain a supportive relationship with each assigned family to ensure children and parents receive comprehensive Early Head Start services.
• Participate in family recruitment activities.
• Plan and implement, with the Family Services Manager and EHS Management Team, all monthly Policy Council meetings; contact parents and community partners to ensure participation and meeting quorum requirements.
• Encourage and support family engagement in program activities that promote child and adult development, including policy and program decision-making.
• Schedule monthly on-site time with all educational partners that is predictable and consistent. Note: All in-person meetings will be virtual during the Covid-19 public health crisis.
• Organize, in conjunction with other EHS staff, Teachers, and FCC Educators, opportunities for families to engage in program events throughout the year to reflect the child’s program participation.
• Conduct regular case management reviews with the EHS Management Team.
• Collect and track attendance information on all EHS children and input records into the ChildPlus database; follow up on absence concerns with families.
• Assist EHS Management colleagues in obtaining health/mental health, nutrition, workforce, and other information from families.
• Execute parenting trainings as indicated by parent interests and needs, in accordance with the program’s family services curriculum, Ready Rosie.
• Establish and maintain complete child files for each enrolled child.
• Actively participate in professional development opportunities, including but not limited to: EEC StrongStart trainings, Family Service, ERSEA, and Office of Head Start.
• Adhere to Early Head Start Policies and Procedures.
• Maintain up-to-date CPR and First Aid training.
• Adhere to and implement Subpart B (Early Childhood Development and Health Services) and Subpart C (Family and Community Partnership) of the Head Start Performance Standards related to infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children.

Qualifications

• Experience working with at-risk families and infants and toddlers.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) is required.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal and advocacy skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and organizational skills.
• Ability to give and receive constructive feedback and work cooperatively on a team.
• Occasional night or weekend activities required.
• Reliable transportation is required.
• Family Service Advocate Certification or equivalent within 18 months of hire.