Head Start Family Service Worker Lead (Family Services Coordinator)

The Chester County Intermediate Unit Head Start Program is seeking two full-time Head Start Family Service Worker Leads (Family Services Coordinators) to join Team CCIU. We are looking for motivated, passionate individuals who are committed to creating brighter futures for students, families, and the community through creativity, dedication, and collaboration.

About the Role

The Head Start Family Service Worker Lead provides guidance and mentorship for Family Service Workers while maintaining an assigned family caseload. This position ensures the implementation of high-quality family engagement services in accordance with the Head Start Parent, Family, and Community Engagement (PFCE) Framework, Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS), and all federal, state, and local regulations. The Lead Family Service Worker coaches and mentors Family Service Workers, monitors compliance with enrollment and family services requirements, connects families with community resources, and supports program-wide family engagement initiatives. This role serves as a liaison between families, Head Start staff, community agencies, and program leadership to promote positive child and family outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Mentorship and Program Coordination
  • Provide coaching, mentoring, and technical assistance to Family Service Workers to ensure high-quality family engagement services for assigned locations.
  • Support onboarding and ongoing professional development of Family Service Workers.
  • Conduct regular documentation monitoring to ensure compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards and agency policies.
  • Support Family Service Workers with caseload assignments, service timelines, home visits, family partnership goals, and follow-up activities.
  • Assist the Health and Family Services Supervisor in implementing family engagement initiatives, parent education opportunities, family services, and continuous quality improvement efforts.
  • Support and recommend program improvements.
  • Assist with program self-assessment, federal monitoring reviews, and grant compliance activities.
• Family Engagement and Support Services
  • Recruit, determine eligibility, enroll, and maintain waiting lists in accordance with ERSEA regulations.
  • Develop and maintain confidential family profiles identifying family strengths, needs, interests, and goals.
  • Conduct required home visits and family conferences following established timelines.
  • Establish supportive, strengths-based relationships with families that promote self-sufficiency and family well-being.
  • Collaborate with families to develop, implement, and monitor Individualized Family Partnership Agreements (IFPAs) with measurable short- and long-term goals.
  • Respond effectively and appropriately to emergency family situations and assist families in accessing immediate resources.
  • Provide ongoing support and follow-up services to children and families throughout program enrollment.
  • Facilitate smooth transitions for children entering Head Start, transitioning between classrooms, and exiting to kindergarten or other educational settings.
  • Collaborate with the Head Start Intake and Enrollment Specialist and coordinate Family Service Worker recruitment, outreach, eligibility determination, and enrollment efforts to ensure full program enrollment.
  • Provide direct support with recruitment, intake, eligibility, and enrollment activities during periods of high enrollment demand, including summer recruitment and enrollment campaigns, to maintain full program capacity.
• Parent, Family, and Community Engagement
  • Encourage and support meaningful parent involvement through classroom volunteering, parent committees, Policy Council participation, workshops, and family engagement activities.
  • Advocate for Head Start families and promote family leadership opportunities.
  • Help facilitate parent education workshops and family engagement events.
  • Develop, maintain, and strengthen partnerships with community organizations to expand available resources for families.
  • Educate Family Service Workers regarding community resources and referral processes, serving as a resource to direct staff.
• Case Management and Collaboration
  • Maintain regular communication with assigned Child Development Specialists regarding children's progress, attendance, behavior, developmental concerns, and family needs.
  • Collaborate with interdisciplinary staff regarding family concerns and service coordination.
  • Refer families to appropriate community agencies for housing, mental health, healthcare, public assistance, employment, adult education, domestic violence services, and other identified needs.
  • Maintain accurate documentation of referrals, contacts, follow-up activities, and family progress using the designated data management system.
  • Review and update family service documentation and data on at least a weekly basis.
• Attendance and Child Safety
  • Monitor student attendance and address chronic absenteeism through family outreach and barrier reduction strategies.
  • Serve as a liaison between Head Start centers and families to promote consistent attendance and engagement.
  • Immediately report suspected child abuse, neglect, child injuries, medical neglect, or other mandated reporting concerns to the supervisors and appropriate authorities in accordance with agency policy and state law.
• Compliance and Documentation
  • Ensure all family records remain confidential and comply with federal, state, and local privacy regulations.
  • Maintain complete, accurate, and timely documentation within the program's data management system.
  • Ensure compliance with all Head Start Program Performance Standards, grant requirements, and agency policies.
  • Participate in audits, monitoring reviews, and continuous quality improvement initiatives, as assigned.
• Classroom Support
  • Substitute as a Child Development Specialist or Child Development Assistant when operationally necessary.
• Other Duties
  • Participate in required trainings, staff meetings, and professional development.
  • Perform other duties as assigned to support program operations.

Requirements

• BA or BS degree in Social Services, Education, or Psychology required; degree in Social Work strongly preferred.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience working with children and families in Head Start, Early Head Start, family services, case management, social services, or community-based programs required.
• Previous experience mentoring or coaching staff preferred.
• Experience with Head Start Program Performance Standards, PFCE Framework, and ERSEA regulations strongly preferred.
• Bilingual and bi-literate in Spanish strongly preferred.
• Valid Driver's License and reliable transportation required.
• Current police, child abuse, and FBI fingerprint clearances within 1 year required.

Pay

$62,816 - $80,288 per year. Placement on the salary band is based on years of direct experience in a comparable role.

Schedule

Monday - Friday, 7.5 hours per day, 260 days per year.

Location

• Gordon Early Literacy Center: 351 Kersey Street, Coatesville, PA 19320
• Engle Education Center: 107 Schoolhouse Rd, West Grove, PA 19390