JOB SUMMARY:
The Family Worker is part of the classroom team. As such s/he is the liaison between the home and classroom providing parent education and ensuring access to needed services.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Supervision comes from the center director. The operations manager will supervise the family worker if the family worker holds the position of center director or site supervisor.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:
No supervision exercised.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
In the SNHS, Inc. Child Development Program, a family worker should expect to:
1. Kneel to address children at eye level.
2. Demonstrate motor activities that may include running, hopping, jumping, dancing, and full body motions.
3. Be able to run after a child in peril.
4. Lift children in emergency situations.
5. Nurture children who may need consoling in the case of challenging behavior.
6. Get on the ground with children in case of fire and help them crawl to safety.
7. Sometimes get kicked during exuberant play.

RESPONSIBLITIES:
1. Support the mission and philosophy of the Head Start program. Work in partnership with families without judgment or bias, recognizing and respecting individual differences and backgrounds.
2. Demonstrate the highest standards of personnel integrity, truthfulness, honesty, and fortitude in all our Community Action activities in order to inspire confidence and trust in the Community Action movement.
3. Build positive and strength based partnerships with parents, within professional boundaries, coaching families in the process of identifying family development goals. Support families in creating and implementing family plans.
4. Relate professionally and tactfully with all program participants & co-workers. Maintain positive interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work as part of a team.
5. Be familiar with all content areas of the Head Start Program Performance Standards and content plans. Carry out the responsibilities described in the plans.
6. Will maintain professional boundaries with all current, past, and prospective clients, and maintain the confidentiality of clients and staff, in accordance with SNHS policy and procedure.
7. Responsible for having adequate knowledge of all SNHS programs and will gather sufficient intake information to make referrals to other SNHS programs which are beneficial to the client and his/her family. Refer families to available community services and programs and follow up as necessary.
8. Provide parent education such as health & safety, nutrition, mental health, disabilities, parenting, and budgeting. Maintain communication with parents regarding children’s screening and assessment results; provide support for recommended follow-up. Document services provided.
9. Take part in center team responsibilities including:
· Assure completion of all 45-60-90 day screenings and assessments.
· Coordinate with community members to provide onsite field trips.
· Support parent committee members in the planning and facilitation of monthly center parent committee meetings
· Share in cleaning responsibilities with all of the team members.
· Take part in all center staff meetings & training as scheduled.
· Take part in LEA meetings as needed.
10. Maintain monthly contact with all assigned Head Start families either in person or by phone with the purpose of maintaining strong relationships, following up on current family plans and identifying needed resources and supports.
11. Complete 4 family visits per year, scheduling all meetings at the convenience of the family, with the goal of 2 home visits and 2 center visits each year. Coordinate these visits with teaching staff to maintain a team approach and insure sharing of information and joint planning.
12. Recruitment of families for all program options throughout the program year by:
· Creating a community recruitment plan with the support of the ERSEA Coordinator and other Head Start family service staff
· Involving all enrolled families in recruitment planning and community outreach activities working in collaboration with Parent Committee members
· Attending community events and school registration days as assigned
· Distributing informational materials in the community by hanging flyers and door knockers, distributing brochures and family postcards at area businesses, agencies and in local neighborhoods.
· Individualized activities such as open houses, resource fairs, community support activities designed to promote community collaboration and a strong Head Start community presence.
13. Act as a liaison and advocate between the community and the Child Development program by initiating and maintaining strong community partnerships. Keep current with local community resources and keep updated resource lists and materials. Attend appropriate community meetings as assigned.
14. Report all cases of suspected child abuse and/or neglect to the Division of Children, Youth, and Families following Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Policy.
15. Maintain organization of family file. Keep family records up to date in accordance with SNHS, Inc. Child Development procedures. Responsible for data entry and tracking of health, nutrition, and assessment data utilizing the Child Outcomes Planning and Administration (COPA) record keeping system; compile data for the Program Information Report (PIR).
16. Keep thorough and objective case note documentation reflecting all family contacts, referrals, attempts to schedule and reschedule meetings, follow up to health, nutrition or developmental concerns, required screenings and processes to determine health status.
17. Implement the health content to ensure that every enrolled child is up to date in their schedule of well child care according to NH EPSDT including all necessary follow up.
18. Collect and track documentation on health and nutrition conditions necessary for children’s safe participation in the program; sharing information as outlined in program policies and procedures.
19. As assigned by supervisor, be named as designated Center Director for State of New Hampshire Child Care Licensing Bureau.
20. Utilize program wide PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) as outlined in the Behavior Management Policy, such as supporting classroom team and families around challenging behaviors or social emotional concerns.
21. Be familiar with PBIS Parent Guide and CSEFEL Pre-K Parenting Modules (Positive Solutions for Families) in order to support parents individually or in groups to support parenting goals.
22. Act as liaison between families and program specialists, to support individualized service needs for children and families including referrals for mental health, nutrition, disabilities and health.
23. Complete monthly tracking forms for health, nutrition and disabilities.
24. Get to know the children by spending time in the classroom during daily activities and meal time.
25. In conjunction with family engagement specialist, family service staff will promote family engagement in all areas. Provide family support and transportation to Policy Council functions as needed. Assist with volunteer training and recruitment; and other parent activities. Responsible for gathering in-kind documentation. Fully implement all family engagement initiatives and support all activities/opportunities provided by the program with parents.
26. Participate in producing and distributing a monthly newsletter for parents to include community activities and resources.
27. Attend pre-service and in-service training, as well as other appropriate training sessions. To work with supervisory staff to develop professional development plans which focus on increasing professional skills and expanding professional knowledge base. To explore outside training opportunities to meet those plans.
28. Present professional and positive image as a representative of SNHS.
29. Abide by all SNHS Safety policies and procedures.
30. Perform other related duties as required.

Southern New Hampshire Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer