Family Service Specialist

The Family Services Specialist position requires working knowledge of relevant community resources, have a compassionate approach to working with children and families, and effectively interface with families of diverse economic, social, ethnic, and linguistic backgrounds.

Essential Functions

Community Engagement

• Partner with MNC Bayview Family Resource Center to bridge families to resources. Including presenting resources available during monthly campus parent meetings and FRC events, collaborating with special events, and referring families to FRC and/Early Education services.
• Actively conducts outreach activities and recruits’ families to ensure full enrollment (100%) and a minimum of a 20% waiting list. Including: conducting widespread community outreach and canvassing with community agencies, residents, business, and areas where families congregate, program presentations, and following up with new inquiries.
• Speaks before neighborhood groups to establish communication and rapport between persons in community and agency, to publicize supportive services available.
• Must participate in agency-sponsored community resource fairs and other recruitment events, as requested by Supervisor.
• Must actively participate in community groups to assist in resolving emerging community issues concerning housing, immigration, education, and violence prevention, with supervisor approval.
• Ensures the integration of all programmatic funded strategies under the direction of direct supervisor.

Under supervision ensures and maintains compliance with Federal, State & City Regulations regarding eligibility for enrollment and attendance by:

• Conducts interviews with families to verify age, income, and residence eligibility according to Head Start Federal Guidelines, California Department of Education (CDE) and Preschool for All (PFA).
• Completes accurate documentation of required enrollment, eligibility and need status for infant, toddler, or preschool, according to CDE Funding Terms and Conditions.
• Provides documentation and support to families in obtaining necessary verification of eligibility and need.
• Completes all required reports for enrollment, and attendance, within required deadlines.
• Supports families in completion of paperwork and documentation requirements for Head Start enrollment, and CDE documentation (CD9600, CD9600A, CDE #1, and Notice of Action Form) and provides follow-up.
• Recertifies families for CDE program annually or as eligibility and need status change.
• Understands and implements policies and procedures contained in Funding Terms and Conditions for each CDE Contract as it pertains to eligibility and need documentation, as well as the CDE Coordinated Compliance Review Training Guide and program policies and procedures.
• Completes outreach and enrollment of families utilizing tuition service option.

• Assists in monitoring child attendance records, analyzes data collected, and follows up on irregular attendance. Includes entering follow-up on absences in Child Plus, and all other required attendance procedures.
• Works with center staff to ensure that the minimum 95% attendance rate is achieved.
• Performs computer data entry, filing, note taking, and other clerical duties as needed.

Ensures and maintains compliance with Health, Nutrition, Mental Health and Disabilities Requirements

• Provides health and nutrition education for children and parents, including subsequent follow-ups and referrals.
• Aids families with the completion of all medical/dental/nutrition forms. Including assisting families with referrals and follow-up in establishing a medical home/dentist.
• Consults with appropriate Health/Nutrition and Mental Health/Disabilities staff regarding related concerns; makes appropriate referral and follows-up.
• Attends monthly campus Mental Health case consultation meeting to learn about child’s needs, share family needs and discuss any strategies to support the wellbeing of the family.

Develops Family Engagement

• Establishes trusting, supportive, and professional relationships with families.
• Greets and engages families as their dropping off and picking up their children in the classroom. To develop relationships with families and teachers.
• Leads monthly campus case consultation meetings with teachers to exchange information on child/family needs, services being provided and discuss any other strategies to support families. Involves the Center Director, FSS, and Mental Health Consultant as needed.
• Works in conjunction with the Community, Parent and Health Associate, Center Director, and Family Services Specialist (FSS) to assess families interests and overall service satisfaction.
• Works in conjunction with Center Director and Family Services Specialist (FSS) to develop a yearly campus family engagement plan to identify parent training and resources, as identified by parents. This includes organizing and coordinating presentations: presenters, materials, and all other logistical needs.
• Works in conjunction with Center Director and Family Services Specialist (FSS) by assisting in coordinating and implementing individual and group campus family orientations.
• Works in conjunction with Center Director and Family Services Specialist (FSS) to organize and implement monthly campus parent meetings, including: agenda, meeting minutes, logistical set-up and clean-up needs.
• Coordinates and facilitates trainings and/or support groups, such as: Abriendo Puertas, Parent Cafes, and any other groups as identified by supervisor. Some training may require specific certification.
• Assists campus staff in maintaining parent areas organized and welcoming by updating parent information, and resources.

Provides Family Support Services

• Maintains confidentiality of all child and family records, organize case file documentation and completes daily family contact/comprehensive notes according to procedures.
• Works in partnership with each family, develops Family Assessments and Individualized Family Partnership Plans (IFPA) to address family strengths and goals, and provides regular follow-up and support to assist families in achieving those goals. Must complete all IFPA’s according to Policies and Procedures, and within required deadlines.
• Provides and documents short-term interventions by providing information, referrals, and resources to clients, with appropriate follow-up. Includes bridging and referring families to desired community resources, and MNC program services. Accompanying the family to appointments as needed to support accessing services, especially for families who’ve recently migrated and are unfamiliar with assistance available.
• Completes all required reports, forms, and documentation for family and community partnerships on a timely and consistent basis.

• Works in partnership with parents, staff, and community representatives to coordinate Family Services and meet all Head Start Performance Standards, including the Parent, Family and Community Engagement Framework (PFCE).

Contribute to the Program and complete other duties as assigned by:

• Participating in scheduled staff meetings, in-service and trainings.
• Meet as needed with the Supervisor to report, problem-solve, and plan regarding position responsibilities.

Customer Service

• Provide exceptional customer service.
• Always represent the Company in a professional manner.

Effective Team Member

• Ability to interact positively with team members.
• Ability to facilitate positive change.
• Partner with supervisor when necessary to address department issues or concerns.

Qualification and Requirements

Qualifications

• AS Degree with an emphasis in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Human Services, Family Development, Family Studies,
• Enrolled in college education working towards an BA degree with a current official transcript on file
• 3+ years’ of Direct Service Experience community base
• Bilingual English/Spanish (read, write and speaks)
• 1+ years Case Management Experience

Requirements

• Fingerprinting Clearance (DOJ/FBI) and Clearance of Child Abuse Index
• Current Physical Health Screening (every 2 years thereafter)
• Current Immunizations (TB, Influenza, MMR, Pertussis) (every 2 years thereafter)
• Current CPR & First Aid Certificate (every 2 years thereafter)
• Bilingual English/Spanish (read, write and speaks)

• Family Development Credential Certification
• Valid State of California Driver’s License (current auto insurance and a clean driving record.)
• Meet required professional development hours. Also, must attend trainings that are required by funders (might be an evening or weekends)

Skills and Abilities:

• Personality - Independent thinker, possess excellent customer service skills, professional attitude, a high level of personal integrity, maturity, and business judgment required.
• Performance - Able to multi-task, prioritize task, meet deadlines, able to do presentations and to maintain confident information.
• Communication - Strong written and verbal communication skills. Must be a well-organized professional who thrives in a team-oriented environment.
• Stress Management - Ability to remain tactful under pressure and present a professional demeanor and communication style with co-workers in a multicultural setting.

Software: Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications: Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Internet Explorer.

Decision Making: Set priorities and standards of performance; Develop plans by which work can be accomplished.

Tools and Equipment: General office equipment, fax, copier, printer, phone, and computer.

Confidential and Sensitive Information: Maintain the highest level of confidentiality when dealing with client records.

What we offer

• Medical – Kaiser and CCHP / Dental – Principal / Vision – Vision Care / Life Insurance - $50,000 / 403b – 3% match / FSA / Pet Care
• 15 paid sick days / 12 paid holidays / 12 paid vacations days
• EAP (Employee Assistance Program) / WADP (Working Advantage Discount Program)

If you are seeking an organization that values, promotes and develops leadership by delivering culturally sensitive, multi-generational, community-based services that empower families to build strong, healthy, and vibrant neighborhoods with the vision of a strong, healthier and more vibrant community that respects and celebrates its many rich, cultural traditions, please apply.

How to Apply

If you are qualified and interested in applying, please apply on this job board or on our website www.mncsf.org under careers or send your resume and cover letter with Family Service Specialist in the subject line to mario.quintanilla@mncsf.org or jobs@mncsf.org

We are an equal opportunity employer that welcome diversity in the workplace with a great company culture. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment, qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.