Specialist -Family Engagement Pre-K

About the role

Coordinates, plans, and implements support programs and services within the District and the community to ensure the academic and social success of students. Consults and collaborates with teachers, staff, counselors, parents/guardians, and others to assist students and families in achieving optimal academic and social success.

Responsibilities

• Work effectively with parents and staff to improve the quality of life for their children.
• Support no more than 40 families per Family Service Advocate.
• Collaborate with families in the family partnership process to identify needs, interests, strengths, goals, services, and resources that support family well-being, including safety, health, and economic stability within 30 calendar days of enrollment per the Shelby County Family and Community Engagement Plan.
• Serve as an advocate for students and families and as a liaison between families and appropriate agencies.
• Assess the need for professional intervention services (psychological, social, or medical) and make appropriate referrals.
• Support the ERSEA team with determining student eligibility based on poverty criteria for service selection.
• Participate in student onboarding, recruitment, and registration as assigned.
• Conduct case management and home visits when assigned.
• Seek and secure available community resources to meet the needs of students and families.
• Assist ERSEA Senior and Family Engagement Managers in evaluating the effectiveness of increasing parent participation and identifying barriers such as low income, disabilities, limited literacy, language, cultural, or ethnic considerations.
• Plan, coordinate, and implement programs and services for parents and students designed to support Head Start initiatives, regulations, and family support.
• Plan and present meetings, training, and workshops for parents to inform them of Shelby County Head Start/Early Childhood Department goals, objectives, policies, procedures, programs, and services.
• Monitor family management support plans and files.
• Provide parents with resources to help them meet the educational and social needs of students; assess need for professional intervention services and make referrals; provide family, life, and job interview skills training; provide resources for housing, food, and clothing.
• Counsel parents in coping with everyday living, maintaining healthy lifestyles, and developing positive relationship skills.
• Help parents become more engaged in the academic and social education of their children; provide information about classes, assessment requirements, school-related activities, and opportunities.
• Identify opportunities for and encourage parents’ participation as volunteers at their children’s schools.
• Seek and secure commitments of community support and resources for parents; promote programs through presentations and informational materials.
• Track and document student assessment data and attendance; report unexcused absences and academic concerns to parents.
• Conduct surveys and interviews with program participants to evaluate program effectiveness and family support.
• Prepare and submit accurate and complete documentation of all assigned cases.
• Receive and respond to inquiries, concerns, and complaints in areas of responsibility.
• Perform routine administrative/office tasks including preparing reports and correspondence, copying, filing, answering telephones, sending and receiving faxes and emails, and data entry.
• Attend training, conferences, and workshops to enhance job knowledge and skills.
• Perform other related duties as assigned or directed.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
• Two (2) years of related experience in Head Start, Social Work/Sociology for a total of six (6) years.
• Proof of education, training, and/or experience is required.

Degree Equivalency Formula

• Bachelor’s Degree = 4 years plus required years of experience.
• Master’s Degree = 2 years plus required years of experience.
• Where Master’s degrees are required, years for bachelor’s degrees must be included.