Family Support Specialist (CSP)

FLSA: Exempt, Grade: 19, Contract Position

Responsibilities:

The Family Support Specialist (FSS) will develop and maintain relationships with families and ensure that they receive comprehensive services through their participation in the program. Comprehensive services include health and social services, disabilities, early childhood education and care services, and a range of parent development training opportunities at the site. The FSS is also responsible for conducting community outreach efforts to identify and develop relationships with community-based organizations that provide other needed services to families.

Essential Functions:

Service Goal:

Consistently promotes and models courteous LAUP/community service in a prompt and efficient manner. Maintains positive relationships with all LAUP internal and external contacts through professional honest interaction. Responds to requests quickly and professionally recognizing that a request serves an organization and/or community need.

LAUP Mission/Credo:

Supports LAUP mission of providing high-quality preschool education to the children of Los Angeles County. Dedicated to the preschool cause (DREAM BIG), and along with LAUP team, upholds the organization to the highest standards.

Key Tasks

Specific duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Develop and maintain meaningful, productive relationships with providers and families.
• Recruit and enroll families into the program.
• Secure informed consent for family participation in program evaluation/CSP research activities.
• Conduct periodic home visits to assess family resources and needs.
• Refer and link children and parents to needed services.
• Maintain enrollment throughout the program year through various recruitment strategies.
• Work in collaboration with other program staff and specialists to monitor, track, and coordinate services for children and families.
• Assist parents with understanding and implementing the Family Partnership Agreement in order to encourage and promote their overall development, including achievement of self-sufficiency, as well as positive developmental outcomes for their children.
• Collaborate with staff to facilitate children's transitions.
• Assist with outreach to families and recruitment of infants and children with disabilities into the program.
• Assist in planning family activities, encourage family participation in program activities, and obtain feedback from parents regarding the level of satisfaction with the services they receive.
• Collaborate with Mental Health Specialist (MHS) or refer to specific resource agencies to ensure the health and nutrition needs of infants, children, and families are addressed.
• Participating with Early Education Expert to lead teams of education, family support, and other support staff (i.e., mental health, disabilities) to plan and implement targeted and intensive interventions for children displaying challenging behaviors
• Communicate with education and care staff regarding infant/child's progress in the classroom.
• In collaboration with the classroom teacher, implement protocols to follow up on absenteeism.
• Coordinate and team with other LAUP staff to provide workshops, trainings and other related activities on family engagement topics
• Provide training, support and materials for providers to enhance their knowledge, skills, and abilities in working with children and families from different backgrounds and with different needs

Administration

• Maintain records and document services in a timely manner.
• Enter service data into management information system.
• Participate in the local and statewide evaluation, and ensure compliance with CSP requirements.
• Attend family support team meetings, staff meetings, staff trainings, collaborations, and planning meetings.
• Prepare periodic progress reports (weekly, monthly as required)

Promote and Maintain Family Involvement

o Promote families' overall involvement and participation in program governance.

• Facilitate family support activities in collaboration with the classroom staff.
• Promote family involvement in center-based services, home-based services, and other program activities.
• Offer expert knowledge on topics related to family engagement/involvement in the preschool program
• Encourage providers and families' to be the best supporters of their children through educational meetings/workshops that provide research materials and other resources

Community Involvement to develop relationships with other community-based service providers targeting the needs of the families being served.

• Identify services currently available and those needed by families enrolled in the program.
• Participate in recruiting volunteers from the community to enhance services.
• Work collaboratively with community-based organizations that serve families in the CSP.

Physical Duties

• Work is primarily sedentary in nature, no special demands are required. May be expected to lift boxes up to 20 lbs.

Other Duties

• Other duties as assigned.

Safety Practices

• Adheres to LAUP general safety practices and any unique safety practices for the department and/or building.

Knowledge and Skills Requirements: Knowledge:

• Ability to establish supportive relationships with providers, children and families from diverse backgrounds
• Ability to utilize reflective practices
• Ability to work within an interdisciplinary team as a cooperative and supportive team member
• Knowledge of community resources and capacity to develop community collaboration to ensure that families receive comprehensive services
• Ability to communicate with families in their primary language
• Knowledge of business vocabulary and composition of business documents.
• Knowledge of program criteria and regulations essential to the health and welfare of children.
• Working knowledge of correct English grammar, spelling and punctuation; ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to learn and apply routine office policies and procedures.
• Ability to manage a caseload of multiple families in various ECE settings.
• Knowledge and background of effective strategies addressing the unique needs of Dual Language Learners

Requirements / Skills:

• Must have good written, verbal, communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information and materials
• Ability to communicate and respond in a manner that consistently demonstrates respect and concern
• Must become knowledgeable about current CDE childcare and preschool guidelines, including the rules and regulations affecting the families served.
• Must be able to operate a computer and other office equipment.
• Must have a valid driver's license and valid vehicle insurance.
• Must be fingerprinted for criminal background check.
• Must be able to travel within the community (i.e., families' homes, community agencies, etc.).
• Ability and willingness to work in a program located in a high-risk, low-income community
• Must be able to alter work schedule to accommodate family availability
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, and Outlook.
• Strong interpersonal skills for interfacing with staff, providers and stake holders.
• Strong problem-solving and organizational skills. Must be detail-oriented, flexible, and decisive with excellent customer service skills.
• Must have a valid California Driver License

Preferred Experience: Three (3) to Five (5) years related experience.

• Experience working with families in a community-based, family support, or resource & referral programs (with ECE focus) preferred.
• Experience working with children and families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Formal Education: Bachelor's degree in Social Work or related field.

Language proficiency required/preferred: Bilingual (English/Spanish) Preferred.

Los Angeles Universal Preschool is an Equal Opportunity Employer

MORE / LESSHOW TO APPLY

Link to job posting: http://ch.tbe.taleo.net/CH01/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=LAUP&cws=1&rid=506