Family Engagement Specialist

The Family Engagement Specialist provides leadership in establishing the vision for the Family Support, ERSEA, Health and family Mental Health content areas as defined by ECEAP and Head Start Performance Standards.  This person will implement and monitor all program content for Yakima, Ellensburg and North Central sites and partners in conjunction with team members, ensuring that work is done in accordance with Head Start and ECEAP Performance Standards, state licensing requirements, Washington Administrative Code and agency policies and procedures.

Job Responsibilities:

- Ensure that EPIC’s early childhood programs are operating at a high level of quality at all times so that children’s welfare, safety and school readiness are of primary focus.

- Establish the vision for the assigned areas of family support, community partnerships, ERSEA and family mental health; ensure services are culturally and linguistically appropriate; develop the policies, procedures, forms and written guidance to support the implementation of the service delivery as driven by ECEAP and Head Start Performance Standards.

- Coordinate implementation, provide staff training, and monitor Mobility Mentoring for ECEAP and the family partnership process for Head Start to ensure alignment with applicable Performance Standards, including family strengths and needs assessments, individualized goal setting, connections to community resources, and ongoing review and documentation of family progress.

- Work in collaboration with Head Start and ECEAPs Center Management teams to ensure the Family Support component is implemented appropriately and in compliance with Performance Standards by, Family Services Teachers and the Family Services Coach.

- Collaborate with members of the Management Team to ensure intentional integration of program services across content areas as defined by ECEAP and Head Start Performance Standards.

- Develop & update long-range and short-term goals and objectives as defined by ECEAP and Head Start Performance Standards using information obtained from the self- assessment, community assessment, data and input solicited from staff and parents.

- Work in partnership with the Management Teams and EPIC’s Human Resources Department to provide training, mentoring and coaching to management and direct services staff in assigned areas, using best practices and adult learning techniques to ensure compliance to Performance Standards.

- Model professional behavior, open communication and effective conflict resolution skills.

- Take an active role in planning to improve the delivery of services to children and families.

- Regularly review child/family files and data tracking reports to ensure proper documentation, identify training needs, monitor compliance to Performance Standards and timelines, following up and resolving issues in a timely manner.

- Monitor and maintain daily attendance records for all ECEAP, Head Start and Early Head Start children identifying attendance concerns and patterns.  Provide support and resources and implement attendance improvement plans to promote participation and school readiness.

- Oversee budget as assigned; monitoring expenses and controlling spending to ensure expenses are within budgeted amounts.

- Plan and participate in ongoing program monitoring and self-assessment activities as designed to identify areas of strength and non-compliance; determine program trends or issues; strategize with team to ensure completion of follow-up.  Monitoring to occur during formal processes and regular site visits.

- Follow proper reporting procedures for instances of unprofessional behavior, child abuse and neglect, failure to supervise, and other policy violations involving staff.

- Assure that all reports, records and data regarding assigned areas are maintained and submitted accurately; proactively addressing and resolving concerns as they emerge.

- Build and maintain community partnerships, interagency agreements and contracts for services in the assigned areas to prepare children and families for school.

- Support and assist in the implementation of technology to document and track the provision of services to children and families.

- Involve parents in all aspects of the program by recruiting parents as volunteers, encouraging staff to involve parents in the classroom, empowering parents to serve on Policy Council and state advocacy groups.

- Actively participate in agency meetings such as Management Team meetings, content meetings, and Policy Council.  Serve on other applicable community committees, boards, etc. as approved by supervisor, representing EPIC at the local, state and national level.

- Support and train Policy Council members during Policy Council meetings and committee work.

- Complete additional tasks and projects that are assigned by the ECEAP or Head Start Director and/or EPICs CEO, assignments may be short- or long-term.

- Be committed to promoting and maintaining a strong focus on safety within our centers, playgrounds, buses, and any setting where children are present. Be familiar with and actively encourage EPIC’s “Speak Up, Speak Out” approach.

Benefits:

- Medical/Dental/ Vision Plans

- Sick Leave (5 hours per payroll)

- Annual Leave (4 hours per payroll)

- 11 Paid Holidays

- Employee Assistance Program

- Basic Life Insurance

- 403 B (Employer match after 1 year or 1,000 hours)

- As an employee of an Early Learning Non-Profit organization, you may be eligible for student loan forgiveness and childcare subsidy benefits. Additional information will be provided upon hire.

Conditions of Employment:

- Prior to employment, complete a pre-employment drug screen and TB skin test by an EPIC approved healthcare provider at no cost to the employee.

- Pre-employment basic physical by an EPIC healthcare provider (obtain within 30 days of employment and no cost to the employee).

- Must pass an initial and periodic background check through the Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF).

- Provide proof of MMR vaccination and/ or resistance to Measles, Mumps & Rubella.

- Current Food Handler's card (obtain the training within 30 days of employment).

- Current First Aid/CPR card (obtain within thirty 30 days of employment).

- Meet the minimum education requirements within the timeframe as stated in the performance standards.

- Complete Child Abuse and Neglect training and all other mandated training.

- CEO Approval.

Qualifications

- BA degree in Early Childhood Education, Human Development, Family and Child Life, Social Work or related field.

- At least three (3) years’ experience in an early childhood setting.

- Ability to work as a team member.

- Experience with low-income families preferred.

- Bilingual/Bicultural (English/Spanish) required.

- Ability to use a personal computer and common word processing software.

- Willingness and ability to travel alone to all of EPIC's sites and to conferences and meetings outside of EPIC's service area.

- Valid Washington State Driver's License, own transportation and required auto insurance.