Social Services Specialist

TITLE:                 Social Services Specialist
DIVISION:           Head Start
REPORTS TO:    Head Start Director
SUPERVISES:     N/A
FLSA:                  Non-Exempt, Non-Medical (NE-NM)

I. POSITION SUMMARY:

Coordinates the Social Services area for the Head Start Department by establishing an advocacy role to ensure that Head Start children and their families are fully integrated into each program, and that their needs are being met to the extent of the program’s capabilities. 

II. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Provides mentoring as needed for the Parent Coordinators and Home-Based Advocates in meeting program requirements for the Early Childhood & Social Service Areas, including coordinating Family Partnership process, training and tracking referrals.
2. Facilitates Parent Coordinator meetings, providing direction and training.
3. Attends Service Team, Management Team, Parent Coordinator meetings monthly; provides reports, and assigns duties as required.
4. Supervises all activities of the Parent Groups and documents them in Child Plus.
5. Ensures that parents of Head Start children are fully integrated into each center’s program, and that their needs are being met to the extent of program’s capabilities.
6. In coordination with other service team members and Parent Coordinators assists in securing information including health records, USDA forms, and consents to evaluate, etc., on enrolled children in the Head Start program.
7. Responsible for obtaining and maintaining Partnerships and Interagency Agreements in Southern Seven Head Start service area.  Attends meetings in the communities to provide awareness of services available for children and families and increase potential enrollment of children in Head Start.
8. Provides training as needed, including: file documentation, information to those who refer families for assistance in the community and other Southern Seven services as needed.
9. Assists with the recruitment and enrollment activities for the Head Start Program, including processing the application, determination of eligibility, attendance, and identification of special problems.
10. Responsible for assisting in completion of Social Services policies and procedures, Parent Handbook, Parent Questionnaire, Community Assessment and PIR.          
11. Attends necessary meetings and training at the local, state and regional level.  Attends and/or conducts staff meetings and trainings as needed.
12. Ensures files and charting reflect adequate/appropriate case management activities particularly related to referral, advocacy, and follow-up.  Monitors all contacts made with and on behalf of families, as specified in performance standards and procedures manual.
13. Responsible for developing a partnership relationship with parents in the Head Start program and encouraging each parent to take an active role in the child’s Head Start experience.
14. First responder for DCFS hotline calls and follow-up.
15. Participants in annual program review and on-going monitoring.
16. Ensures proper case management and appropriate coordination of services for children in foster care by meeting with DCFS and other agencies that provide services.
17. Responsible for carrying out best practices for safety procedures concerning children, staff, families, and community individuals, and for assessing current practices and finding ways and areas needing improvement in addition to participating in site safety committee(s).

III. NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Responsible for cleanliness of facility, playground, vehicles, and other areas applicable to well-being and image of the program.
2. Be familiar and comply with the requirements of the policies and procedures adopted by Southern Seven Health Department as required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996.

IV. ADDITONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. All duties necessary to meet requirements of the Head Start program.
2. Maintains home or message telephone.

V. TRAINING COMPONENT

• Participates in continuing education and staff development through coaching, seminars, conferences, or workshops at personal or departmental expenses.
  

VI. QUALIFICATIONS:

1. 
   Education, Training and Experience:
   1. Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Early Childhood, or related field.
   2. Prefer experience with Head Start Program.
   3. Prefer one year experience in Early Childhood Education, Social Services, or Case Management.
2. 
   Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
   1. Effective oral and written communication skills (community, parents, children, organizational staff, agencies); organization and supervisory ability.
3. Certification and Other Requirements:
   1. Required: DCFS background/criminal check, Physical, Mandated Reporter, and all DCFS required yearly trainings, valid driver’s license & auto liability insurance
   2. Recommended: CPR, First Aid, Hepatitis B Vaccine, qualified DCFS Center Director.
4. Physical Requirements:
   1. Strength: Lift/carry up to 40 pounds on occasion and 10 pounds frequently.
   2. Movement:
      1. Routine: Sit, walk, or stand for prolonged periods of time.
      2. Use near visual acuity to review both written documents and text on computer monitor.
      3. Operate a telephone, keyboard and mouse.
      4. Lift horizontally and vertically, bend and stoop, push/pull, twist, carry, crouch, squat, kneel, reach above shoulder level.
      5. Hear and understand speech at normal room levels and on the telephone.
      6. Drive an automobile.

             c. Environmental Factors: Must be able to work in a childcare environment which may include exposure to                                                               communicable disease.

Salary Range:  $23.56 to $25.98 hourly

"Southern Seven Health Department is an "Equal Opportunity Employer/Vet/Disabled"