Family Support Worker

Job Title: Family Support Worker

Position Function: The Family Support Worker is responsible to assist the parent connect to school and community resources to stabilize the family life and benefit their child's educational success in school. The Family Support Worker will help the parent make choices and educational decisions that impact their child's education i.e., truancy issues, school choice, and educational rights. The Family Support Worker will help the parent understand the workings of the district, including programs, conferences, and standards used to determine the success of the student.

Essential Performance Responsibilities:

• Receive Enrollment Residency Questionnaire forms from the schools and shelters and enter them in HEMS (Homeless Education Management System)
• Assist with initial contacts to parents/guardians who qualify for services
• Assist with documentation and requesting nutrition services and transportation for families
• Assist with documentation from the shelters on students being served and enter in HEMS
• Assist with the Parent Education Program (PEP) activities and parent meetings.
• Work with shelters and transitional housing staff to provide services to families residing in the shelters.
• Provide the parents/guardians with educational resources and information regarding school district resources
• Assist parents with parent / teacher conferences and provide transportation if needed
• Encourage parent involvement
• Provide documentation as needed in HEMS on services provided to families
• Coordinate with the schools' social workers and school staff in the district to assist students in transition with services, supplies and resources
• Assist with distribution of parent rights folders, back packs, supplies, hygiene products, uniforms and resources
• Network with community agencies to provide appropriate referrals to agencies, organizations, housing and health care
• Work with community partners and organizations that provide services and resources to families
• Advocate and expedites services for our families in transition population
• Maintain documentation and records on all services provided to children and youth serving
• Other duties assigned by McKinney-Vento Program Specialist

Additional Duties: Assists with additional duties as assigned by supervisor.

Equipment: This position may require the ability to use SMART boards and iPads in addition to basic office equipment such as computers, copiers, scanners, and fax machine. Must always comply with USD 259's guidelines for equipment use.

Travel: Limited travel between schools and central offices may be required.

Physical and Mental Demands:

• Must be able to drive to many locations to meet with parents.
• Must be able to work five days a week for the number of hours assigned.
• Will require a flexible work schedule, some evenings may be required. Must be able to handle stress.
• Some evenings and weekends may be required. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to maintain a friendly, caring and professional manner that is supportive to parents, student, staff and community.
• Ability to organize, prioritize and problem solve.
• Ability to communicate both verbally and written in order to communicate with others inside and outside of the organization for the purpose of giving and obtaining information
• Ability to communicate effectively with a Supervisor when their discretion is needed
• Ability to perform as an effective team player
• Ability to plan, organize, make decisions and prioritize work to meet the daily demands of the building
• Exhibit a professional manner and a positive attitude
• Use good judgment to make decisions on recurring assignments
• Display a significant degree of professionalism and confidentiality
• Ability to conform to proper standards of professional dress and appearance
• Knowledge of company's mission, purpose, goals and the role of every employee in achieving each of them

Interrelations:

• Contact with personnel within the district and with customers and vendors
• Will be working under the direct supervision of the department supervisor in order to complete day to day tasks
• Will be working with a diverse population requiring the ability to handle all situations with tact and diplomacy
• Must understand and respond appropriately to customer needs and maintain a positive attitude with all customers and colleagues
• Expected to interact with all internal and external customers in a friendly, professional manner and provide quick, responsive customer service

Employee Punctuality and Appearance:

• In order for schools to operate effectively, employees are expected to perform all assigned duties and work all scheduled hours during each designated workday, unless the employee has received approved leave
• Any deviation from assigned hours must have prior approval from the employee's supervisor or building administrator
• All employees are required to report to work dressed in a manner that reflects a positive image of USD 259 and is appropriate for their position

Qualification Profile:

• High School Diploma or GED is required
• Fluency in Spanish preferred
• Associate's Degree or some college preferred in Social Services or a related area.
• Knowledge of community partnerships and resources in the community that would benefit homeless students and families is preferred.

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt