Early Head Start Family Support Specialist

GENERAL OBJECTIVE: To provide high quality family services that lead to strong family outcomes, in compliance with all applicable standards and regulations. 

REPORTS TO: Family Services Manager

SUPERVISES: No direct reports

CLASSIFICATION: Non-exempt; Represented

Duration: 52 weeks

PAY GRADE: 

• D (without a bachelor’s degree)  
• E (with a bachelor’s or advanced degree)

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Dedicated: 

• Implement home visit services for assigned families in alignment with agency policies and procedures, to include: child development, family engagement, parent education, physical health, mental health, early intervention, community resources, family well-being, self-sufficiency, positive parenting, attachment and parent/child bonding 
• Collaborates in the planning and implementation of parenting education, and parent activities/events
• Utilize agency provided, research-based curriculum to fidelity. 
• Promotes parent and family engagement in ClackCoKids offerings and activities. 
• Follows agency recruitment and enrollment policies and procedures to recruit families, complete intakes, and assist in monitoring and address family enrollment throughout the year
• Works with supervisor to facilitate the resolution of family concerns as they occur. 

Compassionate: 

• Leads with strength-based approach to promote family empowerment at all times
• Schedule and complete required individualized home visits with each family based on families’ scheduling needs/preferences.  
• Complete needs assessments with assigned families and work alongside them to set achievable goals 
• Ensure needed social services are provided to all assigned families, which may include direct, individual problem solving; referrals; long- and short-term goal setting; assistance with follow-up; and advocacy. 
• Supports healthy family and child outcomes through providing health education/information, supporting timely exams/screenings, and offering consistent and supportive follow-up when needed
• Ability to use a positive approach in directing and redirecting child behavior

Inclusive: 

• Promote the role of parents as the primary nurturers and teachers of their children  
• Encourage the development of parenting skills through support and education that honors individual family values/beliefs. 
• Provide guidance and coaching for parents in methods of age appropriate, constructive, culturally responsive, and positive strategies to work with their child. 
• Demonstrates commitment to agency’s philosophy and approach to equity and inclusion

Professional: 

• Promotes all services and programs at ClackCoKids at all times. 
• Participate in cross-component collaborations as appropriate and in alignment with agency policies and procedures. 
• Attend and actively engage in agency committees, meetings, and events as assigned.  
• Attend agency trainings as assigned and work with the supervisor to develop an individual professional development plan.  
• Attend and engage in regular supervision meetings with direct supervisor and team meetings as assigned, utilizing reflective practices
• Utilize agency systems for accurate, high-quality data entry in alignment with agency policies and procedures. 
• Manage time in an effective manner, including keeping an up-to-date calendar.  

Trustworthy:  

• Respect and maintain confidentiality for client information, as well as in all other relevant/appropriate circumstances. 
• Build and strengthen collaborations and rapport with community agencies and supporters in a manner that benefits. children and families and highlights the mission and impact of ClackCoKids.
• Uphold and honor commitments made with families and co-workers.
• Engage in direct conversations with the intent to strengthen and preserve relationships.

ADDITIONAL EXPECTATIONS:

Program Participation and Team Member:

• Arrive to work on time; punctually attend and actively participate in all required activities, meetings, and trainings.
• Be a respectful, cooperative, and reliable team member and participant in program activities.
• Project a professional work image, both in dress and manner.
• Be familiar with, and adhere to, position-related policies and procedures as well as the program’s overarching objectives.
• Follow Agency policy/procedures for reporting and documenting suspected child abuse and/or neglect.
• Some evening and weekend work to be expected. 

Code of Conduct:

Perform all work in compliance with the Clackamas County Children’s Commission Code of Conduct.

Confidentiality:

Respect and maintain confidentiality of information regarding enrolled children and families, personnel issues, and other program operations as appropriate.

Training:

In consultation with supervisor, develop professional work goals and training plan. Participate in training as requested.

Education and Experience: 

• Bachelor’s in Social Work, or Human Development or closely related field (preferred) 
• Coursework or certificate completed in ECE preferred. 
• Either a credential or certification or a willingness to obtain within 18 months of hire in Social Work, Human Services, Family Services, or Counseling (to include the Social Services Competency Based Training – SSCBT, or the CDA® Home Visitor Credential (required) 
• Experience in working with or providing services to children and families.
• Competency to build respectful, culturally responsive and trusting relationships with families and the ability to accept individual differences.
• Experience and humility to work with culturally diverse families. 
• Willing to engage in building reflective capacity (e.g., capacity for introspection, communicating awareness of self in relation to others, recognizing value of supervision, etc.).

Skills and Abilities:

• Bilingual preferred
• Good computer skills
• Ability to use positive behavior intervention and support (PBIS) approach to directing and redirecting child behavior.
• Ability to positively interact with families of various cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Ability to possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and insured vehicle available for use on the job. Ability to possess and maintain compliance with State of Oregon Criminal Background Registry.
• Ability to possess and maintain current First Aid/CPR certification.
• Ability to obtain and maintain an Oregon Food Handler’s Card

Working Conditions: 

• Frequent driving to meet with families
• Frequent standing, walking, and sitting
• Frequent computer use to document family services
• Frequent lifting up to 25 pounds; occasional lifting up to 50 pounds.

Our Commitment to Equity & Inclusion

Because our vision is for a community in which ALL children have the best possible opportunity to succeed, we seek to confront racism, discrimination, and prejudice in all forms.

• We continue to educate ourselves so that we may effectively engage in conversations and actions that lead to real change.
• We remain committed to listening to one another, intending first to understand.
• We work to ensure that our leadership, staff, and culture reflect the diverse needs of the children and families that we serve.
• We continue to solicit feedback and ensure accountability at all levels, believing these are critical elements for cultivating an environment of equity, inclusion, and respect.
• We acknowledge that white supremacy is interwoven into the fabric of our systems, practices and policies and therefore we remain committed to questioning, examining our beliefs, and reasoning as it affects those who serve and those to whom we are committed to serving.
• We have much to learn and much to do, desiring to be part of the solutions that will lead to safety, social justice, and a better, kinder world.