Family Services Specialist

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

The Family Services Specialist is responsible for providing child care information, provider listings, and referrals to parents. Also responsible for determining families eligible for School Readiness and Voluntary Prekindergarten services when appropriate. 

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. To provide child care information to all parents regardless of income level. 
2. Facilitate parental choice through the identification of available services, and the provision of information and assistance, in a way that helps parents to evaluate the appropriateness of different child care settings and make a choice of what best fits their needs. 
3. To offer child care choices free of bias and preference for any specific type of child care; center based, home setting, church program, public or private, etc. 
4. Be able to apply and communicate knowledge in the area of developmental needs of children, local and state care rules and regulations and developmentally appropriate child care practices. 
5. Convey child care information in a relaxed manner, problem solves in a positive manner and communicates sensitively and responsively to the needs and concerns of others. 
6. Provide necessary statistical information when requested. 
7. Receive and document all complaints from any source that pertains to child care. 
8. Attend any pertinent conferences, trainings and meetings conducted by the Office of Early Learning or others as recommended by your supervisor. 
9. Assist in the staffing of community booths, children’s festivals, etc. 
10. Be knowledgeable of requirements regarding School Readiness, Head Start, Voluntary Prekindergarten, and other Pre-kindergarten programs for parents and provide assistance to parents and providers. 
11. To accurately and in a timely manner determine/redetermine eligibility for qualified children and families. 
12. Submit reports / information for School Readiness, Voluntary Prekindergarten, and CCRR accurately and by deadline. 
13. Maintain EFS Mod so that client files are accurate and current and required data fields are accurately captured. 
14. Maintain confidentiality in regards to information accessed in the performance of job duties. 
15. Assist in maintaining the Wait List. 
16. Distribute approved written materials to parents, providers, businesses, and/or community leaders regarding CCR&R, the importance of qualify early education, public policy, and parent education as requested. 
17. Responsible for implementing the coalition’s anti-fraud plan daily activities related to prevention, detection, investigation, and reporting of possible overpayment resulting from potential fraud or abuse. 

(These essential job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other related marginal duties as required.) 

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIP:

• This position reports to the Family Services Coordinator. 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Social Service, or related field is preferred. 
• 1-3 years related work experience preferred. 

(A comparable amount of training, education or experience can be substituted for minimum qualifications.) 

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to effectively provide information in a positive, informative and patient manner. 
• Ability to demonstrate problem solving skills, counseling skills, and empathy toward needs of parents. 
• Excellent telephone, computer, and clerical skills. 
• Working knowledge of laws governing child care, accrediting agencies, and training requirements for teachers. 
• Knowledge of the overall function, responsibilities, and services rendered by the Resource and Referral Program. 
• Ability to adjust to new situations resulting from new laws, decisions, or circumstances with the flexibility needed to adapt and operate. 
• Ability to establish priorities, schedule workloads and use other resources to complete goals or task 
• Bilingual language skills at a level that will allow the specialist to assist non-English speaking service users are preferred. 
• Achieve a Level II on the CCR&R Evaluation within two (2) months. 

LICENSES, CERTIFICATION OR REGISTRATIONS:

• Valid driver’s license 
• Certificates of acknowledgement required: Conflict of Interest, Code of Ethics, Confidentiality agreements, IT Systems and Security, Anti-Fraud, HR Employee Acknowledgement Form. 

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

• Works inside in an office environment 
• Some travel required 

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL SKILLS:

• Requires prolonged sitting with some bending, stooping and stretching, and eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity sufficient to operate a keyboard, telephone, photocopier, calculator and other office equipment. 
• Requires normal range of hearing and eyesight to communicate with clients and staff. 

 (Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified individuals with a disability)