Family Focus

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The Family Support Specialist-Recruiter (FSS-R) provides services to families to improve their lives based on their specific goals.. Enroll all HS and non-HS, and PFA/CCAP families into the Preschool programs at Hyde Park Preschool center.. Enters all HS and non-HS, and PFA/CCAP family’s goals, family assessments and health history information into the COPA system at time of enrollment.. Schedule visits to IL Action for Children to review, follow-up, and process ongoing CCAP applications and the status thereof.. Along with FSW, EHS-FSS, and HS- FSS (Englewood) has the responsibility to select, target, and coordinate locations for all recruitment efforts (including identifying events and venues) for the Early Childhood programs at CCCS.

family support specialist

TITLE: Family Support Specialist (Bilingual English/Spanish) DEPARTMENT: Early Childhood Programs SUPERVISOR: Parent Family Community Engagement Supervisor LOCATION: South Shore ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The Family Support Specialist-Recruiter (FSS-R) provides services to families to improve their lives based on their specific goals. Social services include an evaluation of the families’ strengths and needs, assisting with supportive programs (such as SNAP, TANF, or affordable housing, etc.), and provides referrals to education and job placement programs that assist families in need. FSS assists families with understanding and implementing the Family Partnership Agreement to encourage and promote their overall development, including achievement of self-sufficiency, as well as positive developmental outcomes for their children. FSS will conduct recruitment efforts for the Early Childhood Programs to ensure families with children birth-to-five, as well as pregnant women, are informed about Chicago Child Care Society’s Early Childhood Programs. JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: <ul><li>Performs the functions of this position with a strong understanding of the Head Start/Early Head Start Performance Standards per service area; and demonstrates and assures professional best practices.</li><li>Enroll all HS and non-HS, and PFA/CCAP families into the Preschool programs at Hyde Park Preschool center. Enters all HS and non-HS, and PFA/CCAP family’s goals, family assessments and health history information into the COPA system at time of enrollment. </li><li>Assist families with completing the CCAP application process. Schedule visits to IL Action for Children to review, follow-up, and process ongoing CCAP applications and the status thereof. Process all IAFC re-determination submission for all 3-5 families at Hyde Park Preschool center.</li><li>Enroll families in CACFP for meal participation. </li><li>Maintains a flexible schedule to establish a relationship with parents that are enrolled at both centers.</li><li>Monitors and updates all HS parent involvement and social service activity, track and document in COPA & ChildPlus system. </li><li>Enter, documents, and monitors all attendance of all 3-5 children to ensure attendance reasons are recorded and there is no chronic absenteeism. Conduct home visits of children who have been absent beyond the allotted (3) days. </li><li>Collaborates with the HS Education-Disabilities Coordinator to ensure the transportation for children with IEP’s is rendered appropriately and seamless. </li><li>Collaborates with both Education Coordinators and EHS-FSS to ensure appropriate transition from home-based services to center-based programming are seamless, if transitioning to Hyde Park Preschool center. </li><li>Promotes and maintains parents’ overall involvement and participation in program governance, center-based services, and obtain feedback from parents regarding the level of satisfaction with the services they receive. Maintains regular contact with families to keep abreast of needs and interest through additional home visits (if deemed necessary), phone calls, and other means as indicated.</li><li>Implement PAT parent engagement curriculum through Parent Groups and/or individual parent meetings. Facilitating discussion and utilizing the PAT curriculum to guide interactions and documenting all efforts in COPA system. </li><li>Has the responsibility to select, target, and coordinate locations for all recruitment efforts (including identifying events and venues) for the HS/EHS programs at Chicago Child Care Society. </li><li>Ensures files and documentation are complete, accurate, and maintained confidentially for DFSS 3-5 (HS/PFA/CCAP) children. </li><li>Establishes and develops relationships with social service agencies to create partnerships for referrals and recruitment. Along with FSW, EHS-FSS, and HS- FSS (Englewood) has the responsibility to select, target, and coordinate locations for all recruitment efforts (including identifying events and venues) for the Early Childhood programs at CCCS.</li><li>Participate in bi-weekly supervision with direct supervisor. Attend department staff meetings, all-staff (agency) meetings, and DFSS grantee PFCE meeting. In addition, attend pre- and in-service training/conference sessions as scheduled. </li><li>Responds to agency needs by performing assigned tasks which may not fall within above description. If such tasks are not of a temporary nature, they should be added to this list of designated job responsibilities. </li></ul>EDUCATION: A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Human Services, or related degree from an accredited school and a Gateways Family Specialist Credential Level 5 (required). Bilingual English/ Spanish EXPERIENCE: Minimum of two years’ experience in Head Start/Early Head Start, which includes direct service. Knowledge and experience in the philosophy and practices of Head Start/Early Head Start early childhood education, and experience teaching/working with children ages birth to five. Have education or experience in collaborating with parents in the education of their field. This is a full time exempt position. Starting Salary: $48,616.10/year ***Covid-19 Vaccine is required (reasonable accommodations will be considered).*** Family Focus is an equal opportunity employer that invests in strengthening families and their children in Chicago and NE Illinois so they build social capital and achieve upward economic mobility through high-quality innovative programs and services, grounded in anti-racism and social justice.

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