Family Support Specialist

Job DescriptionJob Description:

Family Support Specialist (Bilingual) Felton’s Early Care and Education Programs Agency Overview Founded in 1889, the Felton is the oldest nonsectarian, nonprofit social-services provider in the City and County of San Francisco and the Bay Area. Rooted in equity, our mission is to transform the quality of life and promote social justice to accelerate community-led change. Our vision is to drive positive and sustainable community-led change where all have equitable access to innovative, high-quality, evidence-informed services. Division Description Felton Children, Youth, Family, and Transitional Age Youth division offers comprehensive, early care and education, family support, and mental health services across San Francisco to over 400 families. Via a two-generation approach, Felton’s Family Support services promote strong families and optimal development for their children by focusing on the Strengthening Families Framework. The primary function of the family supports The Five Protective Factors; parental resilience, increase social connections, increase knowledge of parenting and child development, providing concrete support in times of need, and supporting social-emotional competence in young children. This approach serves as a one-stop integrated service continuum, supporting families to address their needs largely under one roof, with a core group of staff with whom they can build trusting, supportive relationships. ECE Programs Felton Institute has been providing comprehensive early care and education services in San Francisco since 1971. Felton now has ECE programs in SF’s Mission, Bayview, and Visitation Valley neighborhoods; and offers a school-readiness program for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers (2 weeks to 6 years old). Felton’s ECE programs include 4 infant, 7 toddler, and 11 preschool classrooms, which serve approximately 400 children, full-day/ year-round. These multicultural, educational classrooms provide a nurturing, developmentally challenging, and inclusive environment for very young children of low/moderate-income families. We are committed to inclusive, positive environments that build on children’s positive self-esteem and self-image. Family Support Programs The family support programming currently at Felton includes, the Young Family Resource Center (YFRC) is a population-focused family resource center, peer-directed, peer-focused targeted to teen and young adult parents, their children, and their families. The Teenage Pregnancy and Parenting Project (TAPP) which is a city-wide program with comprehensive case management and educational services for pregnant and parenting teens and the Sunshine Community Center (SCC), Solmar Community Center (SCC) which offer parenting education, support groups, resource and referral, weekly farmer’s market, and essential items, distribution, and access to community services. Brief Job Description: Family Support Specialists (FSS) maintain a family caseload of 75 families. FSS support, maintain, monitor, and enhance the eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance (ERSEA) for children Felton’s Early Care and Education Programs, under various subsidies (CDE; Title V, Title XVII, Vouchers and Preschool for All). FSS are also responsible for identifying family needs assessment at intake of ECE enrollment and providing information and making referrals to family support services available for families on-site and with Felton’s community partner network. The primary role of the FSS is to develop strong relationships with families in order to provide service coordination, support, and training to assist families in meeting the needs of their children and enhancing parents’ role as the primary influence on their child’s education and development. Duties include working with families in identifying and achieving goals. FSS are responsible for ECE enrollment and family support record-keeping, reporting, and monitoring is necessary to ensure that all program performance standards and regulations are fulfilled. This role requires considerable ability to use good judgment and critical thinking in making routine decisions in accordance with existing regulations and departmental policies and procedures. She/he is a liaison with families and public. FSS works in partnership with parents/caregivers, Felton staff, and community agencies to build collaborative relationships. FSS supports parents as they identify and meet their own goals and nurture the development of their children in the context of their family and culture. This essential role will support families, with a focus on information and referrals, outreach, and other related work as needed by the division. ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:Demonstrate sensitivity and competence in dealing with ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomically diverse client population spanning over a large geographic areaEnsure that the integrity of the individual family's culture is fully integrated into every aspect of the care and support offered to the child and familySupport /Facilitate Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) and other family eventsConduct comprehensive and periodic assessments of family and infant/child needs for the purpose of determining eligibility and/or developing an action plan to remove barriers to child’s success.Partner with families to develop an individualized care plan that is based on information collected through the assessment and family interviews to address medical, social, educational, and other services needed to further family goals, plans, and success strategies.Support parents in accessing resources that address basic needs and stabilization concerns, such as housing, food bank, general assistance, etcAssists family support staff in maintaining family areas organized and welcoming by updating parent information, and resourcesSafeguard and maintain individual records to keep consumer files complete, confidential, and in order. This includes filing client documents in secure areas; adhering to the recommended organization of components of individual files; and obtaining and documenting Releases of Information agreements prior to sharing private consumer information with others.Provide relevant information and referral on Kindergarten transition and other transition-related topics in a timely manner.Participate in training opportunities to maintain individual and organizational competency in assigned areas of responsibility. This includes demonstrating competencies identified for certification as Family Support Specialist and required Policies and Procedures; consistently updating knowledge and skills relevant to position responsibilities; and attending in-services, conferences, workshops, and required agency meetings as appropriate.Develops partnerships, acts as a liaison, to establish communication and rapport between community and agency, to publicize supportive services available, recruit volunteers, leverage service delivery, and coordinate referrals.Participate in weekly individual and group supervision WAITING LIST, CLIENT ASSESSMENT, CERTIFICATION, AND MONITORING Maintain ongoing and accurate up-to-date client records for the caseload of families receiving subsidized childcare services and family support services.Documents outreach and recruitment efforts and follow-up with interested families.Actively participates in case consultation sessions with respective teams to coordinate care plans and service delivery.Maintains monthly contact with Child Protective Services Liaison to determine whether CPS clients on the waiting list are still valid candidates.Track and document time and services with accuracy to ensure services are provided according to contract provisions and to ensure appropriate reimbursement for services provided. This includes tracking case statistics (e.g. direct contacts, service coordination, family training/counseling, special instruction, transportation, etc.), and accounting for at least 75% of time.Complete all client-related and program-related paperwork according to established timelines. Thoroughly explain policies and procedures as it relates to services, programs, and funding sources.Supports to identify open slots in specific rooms for specific ages, etc., and identifies and notifies applicant from waiting list when such opening is not filled through a room-to-room transfer. Maintains documentation of contacts, dates, and response of applicant. Informs applicant of any necessary update of records required for intake. Schedules intake interview.Conducts intake interview, including certification for CDE and the Child Care Food Program for the preschool families. This includes fee determination, immunization records, emergency cards, and all other forms. Coordinates with Admissions Supervisors for facility tour and orientation and introduction to room staff. Coordinates data with Administrative Assistant for preparation of the Sign In/Out Sheets and for completion of the CD-9400 form.Monitors, collects, reconcile parent’s fees, and submit to Accounting Department.Maintains a record of recertification dates for CDE and the Child Care Food program and schedules recertification appointments in a timely manner.Maintains organized and complete family files for each enrolled child, including all funding sources – Title 22 require that these be in one place. Codes labels of files so that California Department of Education files can be easily identified for review.Monitors attendance for children whose absences exceed three (3) consecutive days and notifies Admissions Supervisor for follow-up and contact with parent.Responsible for keeping a cumulative record of the “Best Interest of the Child” days taken up to the limit of 10 days. Oversees effort for seeing that this is done, recorded and that all days that exceed the 10-day limit are marked as unexcused on the attendance records (where applicable)Responsible for monitoring non-compliant parents regarding enforcement of late Policy, unexcused absences, excessive absenteeism, absences requiring a doctor’s note, failure to sign absence record, delinquent fees, delinquent immunizations, and failure to comply with other agency procedures or requirements by issuing a Notice of Action.Notice of Action will be instituted according to Title V requirements and Departmental policies as stated in the Parent Handbook and will cite the statutory source of enforcement.Will maintain a record of necessary follow-up for each family/parent. Follow up may include written warnings, parent conferences.Will notify classroom Teachers of census changes, projections, etc.Responsible for completion of monthly /quarterly/yearly reports which reflect contract compliance and documentation for funding agents including CDE reports and immunization reports. Coordinates data compilation to ensure timely completion and submission of reports.Responsible for weekly submission of ‘CENSUS REPORT” to all appropriate staff which includes current census, projected intakes/ drops and transfers. REPORTING REQUIREMENTSUpdate Census report (Fridays by 2:00pm)CIRCE Enrollments and updates - Due 3rd business day of monthCCL Enrollment Roster ( 3rd day of month, weekly)Newly Enrolled/ Drop Children ReportFamily EligibilityCD801-A Data and follow upsMonthly Family Fees Report (Due 10th business day of the month)SB701 Census Report (April every year)CDMIS and DEC Tracker enrollment data due monthlyOther duties as assigned by Director/ Admissions Supervisors or assignee. INDEPENDENCE OF ACTION: This position exercises a high level of independent responsibility in performing job tasks and is responsible for using initiative and judgment to determine how to proceed with assignments and to determine the methods best suited to each task. The position is supervised by the Admissions Supervisor, who provides direction on operational issues and are available to provide technical assistance with problems that involve other organizations. Work is performed according to Policies and Procedures established by CDE, DEC and Felton Institute. CONFIDENTIALITY: The position requires handling non-public confidential information. The person in the position acknowledges the confidential nature of non-public information regarding Family Outreach employees and clients. Consistent with applicable policy and guidelines, this position will respect and safeguard the privacy and confidential nature of information in accordance with state law, without limiting the general nature of this commitment. The person in the position hereby acknowledges and understands that in this context, confidential information is considered all non-public information that can be personally associated with an individual and will not disseminate any such information. Minimum Qualifications:Bilingual, bicultural – Spanish/English/ Cantonese required2-3 years related experience in social service eligibility and application processing2 years experience in data entryStrong oral and written communication skillsProfessional appearance and demeanor, with professional ethics of confidentiality, ability to exercise good judgment and discretionAttention to detail, ability to manage a wide variety of tasks and meet deadlines, and reliability/dependability )Must have knowledge of title V, Title 22 and Title XVII and the ability to learn and implement contract requirements & regulations. Knowledge of word, excel spreadsheets, software etc.Good English verbal and written communication skillsReliability in completion of duties which include deadlinesMust pass a Department of Justice fingerprint clearance and a Child Abuse Index clearanceMust be able to pass physical exam, provide negative TB test result as required by Title 22 regulationsKnowledge of low-income and homeless issues for children and families, preferred

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