Opening with BCMW Head Start
Family and Community Engagement Manager
Job Title: Family and Community Engagement Manager
Status: Non-Exempt; 12 Month
Starting Salary: $25.88
Hours: 40 per week/Monday – Friday
Benefits: Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance for Employee; 403(b) Plan which Includes – Base per Pay Contribution by Employer and a Match to Employee’s Contribution; Paid Time Off Including: Holidays, Vacation, Sick, Bereavement, and Illinois Paid Leave for All Workers.
Supervision: Directly responsible to Head Start Director/Health Manager. Supervises staff, including hiring, scheduling, assigning work, and reviewing performance.
Policy Council Approval: June 12, 2019
Board of Director’s Approval: June 12, 2019
Essential Function(s): Responsible to oversee the Family Service team who provide direct case management services to Head Start families. Plan for and monitor assigned budget line items. Assists in program planning and development. Advocates for families and children. Supervise the Family Service staff in updating community resources for families. Ensure each family has been assessed for needed services through the provision of the Family Needs Assessment, Family Partnership Agreement, Individual Family Partnership Agreement, and follow-up of all needed/interested services. Monitor and assist health and support services provided to families. Assist parents/guardians in ensuring regular attendance of their child/children. Organize, monitor, and maintain Policy Council structure and on-going activities. Assist with the implementation of ERSEA policies and regulations.
Educational Requirements: Must have a minimum of a BS in any related Social Service field. Must be computer literate.
Experience Requirements: Minimum of five years’ experience in social work or combination of education and related experience totaling five years. One-year supervisory experience. Two years working with disadvantaged populations. Head Start experience preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Have strong interpersonal skills and the ability to resolve conflicts. Ability to read, speak, and write with proficiency in English language. Must be willing to work flexible hours, including some evenings and weekends as needed. Emotional maturity when working with children. Cooperation with the purposes and services of the program. Respect for children and adults. Flexibility, understanding, and patience. Good personal hygiene. Frequent interaction with children. Listening skills, availability, and responsiveness to children. Sensitivity to children and families’ socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds, and individual needs and capabilities. Use of positive discipline and guidance techniques. Ability to provide an environment in which children can feel comfortable, relaxed, happy and involved in play, recreation, and other activities.
Licensing/Certification Requirements: Must have a valid driver’s license and insurance coverage. Negative tuberculosis screening. Must be able to pass criminal and DCFS background checks. Must have or be able to obtain CPR/First Aid certification. Must obtain child abuse and neglect training.
Environmental Factors/Working Conditions: Enclosed facility, office environment. Floors may be vinyl, tile, or carpet. Facilities are heated; have air conditioning. May be exposed to childhood diseases and blood-borne pathogens. Local and out-of-area travel expected. Must be able to lift 50 pounds. Mixture of desk work, standing, and visits in the community
Job Duties & Responsibilities:
- Ensure and maintain accurate, up-to-date records according to Head Start Program Performance Standards and program procedures. Ensure effective and respectful communication with the community, stakeholders, staff, families, and children. Must check work email daily. (Communication)
- Report to work at scheduled time; shift to be determined by supervisor. Maintain good attendance. Perform all duties in a safe, timely, and professional manner. Participate with a positive attitude and behavior in all program activities. Attend all required meetings. Be able to travel out of area, as needed. (Professionalism)
- Continue professional growth by participating in ongoing training programs and workshops/conferences, as budget allows. Attend all mandated trainings. (Job Knowledge)
- Work independently and use critical thinking skills to complete assignments, provide follow-up as necessary, and seek additional responsibilities. (Initiative and Productivity)
- Uphold confidentiality of child, family, and staff information in accordance with the Confidentiality Policy. (Confidentiality)
- Implement the six Active Supervision Strategies during indoor, outdoor, rest, and desired (child) privacy times.
7. Provide guidance, direction, and assistance to the Family Service team who provide direct services of referrals, resources, and follow-up to families.
8. Oversee the work of the Family Service team to ensure they have completed a Family Needs Assessment, provided services, and assisted the family in setting goals.
9. Work together with the management team to ensure the program is following all regulations.
10. Create and update program plans and procedures for the Family Service team, with their input.
11. Encourage and facilitate all staff to create partnerships within the community.
12. Oversee the work of the Family Service team to provide Parent Meetings with classroom teacher and parents. Plan for and facilitate parent-child activities, trainings, and classroom/group interactions.
13. Implement and monitor the parent curriculum.
14. Work with the Family Service team to establish and facilitate a Policy Council Committee to carry out the provisions of the Head Start Program Performance Standards to include shared responsibility for making and approving policies concerning Head Start program design and implementation. (Governing)
15. Oversee Parent Orientation with the assistance of the Family Service team for each child/family.
16. Update community resource data, as often as necessary to help families identify and access needed resources: health, mental health, social services, housing, employment, education, and training. Train staff on community resources.
17. Participate in Case Management meetings, staffings, and other informational meetings for children and families when the Family Service team member is not available.
18. Assist the Family Service team in implementing goals, policies, procedures, and activities designed to provide the full range of family support services in compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards, including assisting families with obtaining health services, and health and other child/family data retrieval. Assist Family service staff with the designing and implementation of a formal system of follow up with families on referrals to community agencies, to ensure the satisfactory provision of services and successful family outcomes.
19. Coordinate and develop links between other family support service agencies through the establishment of a Social Services Advisory Committee to assist with referrals, resources, and services, to meet the needs of the families and to provide better service delivery. Serve as an advocate for Head Start families within the community. Train and support parents to advocate for themselves and their families.
20. Assist other Head Start components and parents in developing transition plans for children transitioning to Head Start and children entering public school.
21. Coordinate with the Health team and the Family Service team to ensure families are provided with referrals to obtain medical and dental services. Document follow-up services.
22. Ensure that the PFCE framework is in place to report on family outcomes.
23. Work closely with the designated ERSEA coordinator to successfully complete the recruitment of eligible children and their families. Ensure that the Family Service team is assisting with the development and maintaining a wait list. Ensure that our team is adhering to all ERSEA regulations and guidelines.
BCMW Community Services is committed to providing Equal Employment Opportunities and upholding the principles of Affirmative Action. Our aim is to create a work environment that is free from discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health choices, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, protected veteran status, disability, genetic information, political beliefs or activities, or any other legally protected characteristic.
In addition, we assess candidates with criminal records who meet job qualifications in accordance with federal, state, and local laws.