Under general direction of the ECEAP Program Supervisor, this position works directly with families to support them in recognizing their strengths while helping them to identify resources and strategies to problem solve issues of family concern and strive for self-sufficiency. The position requires an understanding and appreciation of problems of low income families, being non-discriminatory in feelings and attitudes, and a willingness to spend time with families. It also requires a strong knowledge of local community resources for referral purposes regarding social services. Employees in this position are responsible for recruitment and enrollment in the program and the keeping of records as required by ECEAP Program Standards. The position requires the ability to effectively communicate, both orally and in written form to co-workers/supervisors, parents, and community members. Family Support Coordinators must demonstrate competency to:

• Focus on parent and family strengths
• Build relationships based on mutual respect and equality
• Acknowledge parents as resources to themselves and others
• Respect family beliefs, culture, language, and child rearing practices
• Support parent involvement activities
• Meet compliance for all ECEAP Program Performance Standards - Family Partnerships, Eligibility and Enrollment

JOB DUTIES
Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Provides social services for families; networks with community agencies to provide for comprehensive services;
• Provides resource referrals, crisis intervention, child management, emergency needs, training opportunities, job counseling, food/clothing banks, housing, and other referrals as needed;
• Acts as a reporting agency for child abuse and neglect per center and legal guidelines;
• Advocates for the creation of opportunities for low-income and minority families within the community;
• Provides for recruitment and enrollment of program, including advertisement and center criteria; determines/validates family/child eligibility into program; conducts intake appointments with enrolling families; follows enrollment and eligibility ECEAP Performance Standards
• Develops and conducts a comprehensive initial Mobility Mentoring Assessment for each enrolled family for each program year, meets for mid-year review, and completes a final assessment in the Spring following the MM guidelines and ECEAP standards.
• Maintains records of family contact, intake information, information provided to/from families and any referrals given, child attendance, and other required information as well as confidentiality of such records; provides data from these records for required reports and submits it within timelines;
• Attends regular staff and staffing, coordinator meetings; may also attend community forums/meetings as an ECEAP representative as requested by the Program Supervisor
• Maintains comprehensive child classroom attendance records to include family contact for when a child misses three consecutive days, and follows the attendance policy and practices to encourage regular attendance
• ECEAP family support staff provide a minimum of one family support visit per family, per quarter. Each visit must be a minimum of 30 minutes, face-to-face with the parent, scheduled based on individual family needs, and planned with individualized content for each family for each visit.
• Provide health coordination services per the ECEAP Performance Standards
• Participates in assessing community needs;
• Attend trainings as requested by Program Manager;
• May work as classroom substitute in emergency situations
• Supports Teacher Education and Family Development community outreach by participating in designated community events (may involve evening and/or weekend times-only by pre-arrangement);
• Coordinates opportunities for ECEAP families to volunteer, connect with other families, learn about parenting, and grow leadership skills. This includes actively engaging parent's voluntary participation in classroom, site, community, family, committee, and leadership activities such as Parent Education, Parent Advisory Council, and committees according to ECEAP Program Standards.
• May plan and present parent support information in the areas of child development, health, nutrition, mental health community resources, and continuing education, etc.;
• Plans for social activities for parents and children to enhance family continuity;
• Coordinates and conducts (with other Family Service staff) training for Policy Advisory Council members;
• Conducts surveys/evaluations to anticipate individual and family needs, as well as the effectiveness of the ECEAP program;
• Keeps accurate records of volunteer hours, parent involvement time and child daily attendance, resource referrals, including minutes of parent meetings when a parent is unavailable to keep meeting minutes;
• Assist coordination of daily routines, duties and expectations as required for a specific site to maintain the effectiveness of a classroom within our program. This may include coordination of: meal services, transportation services, educational services, administrative services and communication within the program.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
High school graduation or equivalent AND two years' experience in providing social services related to child abuse and neglect, child guidance, parenting education and family dynamics to low income or other at-risk families
OR
An Associate or higher degree with the equivalent of 30 college credits of adult education, human development, human services, family support, social work, early childhood education, child development, psychology, or another field directly related to their job responsibilities.
OR
be willing to be on Professional Development Plan to fully obtain the education qualifications of their role.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
A Bachelor's degree with the equivalent of 30 college credits of adult education, human development, human services, family support, social work, early childhood education, child development, psychology, or another field directly related to their job responsibilities. These 30 credits may be included in the degree or in addition to the degree.

Bilingual Preferred

Specific Position Elements:

• Experience providing social services program services to at-risk families.
• Experience researching local community resources regarding family issues.

Other Qualities:

• Understand family and relationship development cycles
• Recognize influences of diversity and culture
• Work with families as systems
• Demonstrate acceptance of all types of family groupings and use materials that reflect nontraditional families
• Build relationships with families that are positive and goal-oriented
• Establish mutual trust with families
• Identify and assess family strengths and goals
• Link families to community resources
• Engage families in program activities
• Coach families toward self-sufficiency
• Increase the family's knowledge of parenting, school participation, and leadership
• Cultivate community partnerships
• Working knowledge of Early Childhood education philosophy and current best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with individuals, other departments, outside agencies.
• NOTE: The successful candidate's continued employment will be contingent upon the current position or ability to obtain the following within 45 days of employment
  • Current negative TB test or statement from the Health Dept. that named person is cleared;
  • Cleared Department of Early Learning Portable Background Check clearance
  • Current First Aid and CPR training documentation;
  • HIV/AIDS Training and/or Blood Pathogens
  • Child Abuse/Neglect Training, inclusive of reporting procedures; and
  • Food Handler's permit