Family Partner - Newport - Nekcavt

Description

Job Title: Family Partner - HeadStart

Department: Early Childhood and Family Services

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Hours/Weeks: Full Year, Full Time

Bargaining Unit Position: Yes

Level: 3

Hiring Range: -

NEKCA Mission Statement: To empower all generations in the Northeast Kingdom to grow, prosper, and thrive.

SUMMARY

Family Partners at NEKCA support families in goal setting, child development, and wholistic family well-being. Recognizing that families are their child's first teacher, NEKCA utilizes a strengths-based approach to help families thrive. Family Partners utilize a variety of strategies which may include home visiting, coaching, and offering enrichment activities like community playgroups. Family Partners are part of a larger Early Childhood Team at NEKCA that collaborates to provide seamless services that put families at the center.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Carry out duties in compliance with HS Performance Standards, Content Area Plans, Vermont Child Care Licensing Regulations for Center-Based Child Care and Preschool Programs, NAEYC, and NEKCA Standard of conduct.
• Complete NEKCA Performance Evaluations, Professional Development Self-Assessment, and in partnership with supervisor, Individualized Professional Development Plan.
• Be aware of indicators of child abuse and neglect and comply with Vermont Mandated Reporter Law and program Child Protection Protocol.
• Participate in center staff meetings, monthly content area meetings, pre-service, and in-services and incorporate relevant knowledge and skills into practice.
• Attend and participate in staff, agency, and service provider meetings deemed necessary for job performance.

SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES: N/A, this position does not supervise any staff.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Identify and recruit Head Start-eligible families and children, including children with disabilities and underserved populations.
• Complete the Family Assessment based on the Parent, Family and Community Engagement Framework, develop a plan that responds to the family's needs; deliver and/or coordinate the delivery of needed social services for each family.
• Develop individualized Family Partnership Agreements (FPA) that describe the family's goals, strengths, responsibilities and timetables and strategies for achieving these goals; review and revisit with families so the FPA remains current and useful.
• Provide comprehensive community resource information to families, individualizing to respond to the family's needs and concerns to the maximum extent possible.
• Establish and maintain ongoing collaborative relationships with community organizations responsive to the concerns of the families of children birth to age 5, pregnant women and their families; participate in community awareness events.
• Identify crisis situations, such as child abuse and lack of basic needs, making referrals and follow up.
• Implement the parent engagement and education program, supporting the parents in their role as the primary influence in their children's lives.
• Encourage parent volunteerism throughout the program; plan and implement parent meetings; encourage and assist parents with Policy Council involvement; document in-kind contributions.
• Assist parents with the process of transition into Head Start/Early Head Start Program and from Head Start to other educational settings.
• Encourage, aid in monitoring and recording the timely delivery of medical, dental, mental health and nutrition services to children; seek assistance on assisting families as needed.
• Promote child and family wellness and the support the establishment of a medical and dental "home" for each enrolled child.
• Collect child and family data and accurately enter into program software in a timely manner.
• Cooperate with other staff and classroom groups to maintain the smooth functioning of the center, which at times may require changes to meet the needs of the children.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Employees in this position work primarily in an office environment with moderate noise levels and controlled temperature conditions. The work involves sitting for extended periods of time, using a computer and other office equipment, and may require occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds.

Physical Demands: The work involves sitting for extended periods of time, using a computer and other office equipment, and may require occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds.

Travel: Home visits involve travel to clients' homes. This can vary from local travel to covering a larger geographic area, depending on the nature of the job.

Client Diversity: Professionals conducting home visits often work with a diverse range of clients, each with unique needs, backgrounds, and living conditions.

Safety Considerations: Safety is a crucial aspect of home visits. need to be aware of their surroundings and take precautions to ensure their safety, especially if they are visiting unfamiliar or potentially risky environments.

Environment: Employees in this role work in an office and may visit client residences. An office environment with moderate noise levels and controlled temperature conditions. Professionals conducting home may need to work in varying temperatures hot and cold, especially if a task involves outdoor assessments in extreme weather.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The responsibilities listed in this job description are intended to provide a general overview of the role and its expectations. While this description is comprehensive, it should not be construed as an exhaustive list of duties and tasks that may be required of the employee. The organization reserves the right to assign other tasks or responsibilities as needed, and this role's responsibilities may evolve in response to changes in the organization's goals and priorities. Flexibility and adaptability are key attributes for success in this dynamic work environment.

NEKCA is a proud equal-opportunity employer.

We work diligently to recruit a broad pool of candidates and to hire and promote qualified individuals whose personal experiences, characteristics, and talents reasonably reflect the diversity of the communities served by NEKCA. Our equal employment opportunities apply to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. We encourage applications from women, minority groups, veterans, and people with disabilities.

QU Qualifications

Qualifications for positions within NEKCA are determined by the duties and responsibilities of the position itself.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in human services or the Family Service Worker Course
• 2 years relevant experience

Core Competencies

Core Values

• Demonstrate competency in all five areas of NEKCA's Core Values.
• Empower individuals to recognize and utilize their potential for growth and positive change.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with the local community.
• Involve community members in the organization's initiatives and decision-making processes.
• Uphold ethical standards in all interactions with participants and the community.
• Participate in self-reflection and self-care practices to prevent burnout.
• Adhere to ethical guidelines and professional codes of conduct.
• Maintain participant confidentiality and ensuring participant safety.
• Use clear, respectful, and professional language and behavior when communicating with participants, colleagues, and other service providers.
• Demonstrate a genuine understanding of and care for the needs and feelings of participants or service users.
• In person attendance required during scheduled hours as defined by your supervisor.
• Be respectful and sensitive to participant's unique situations and challenges.
• Represent NEKCA in public and advocate for its mission.

Background Checks: Employees in this role are required to undergo a background check in accordance with NEKCA policy, which may include verifying education, employment history, and criminal records.

Transportation Requirements: This position necessitates that employees have access to dependable transportation.