Family Service Coordinator
About Verner
For over 20 years, Verner Center for Early Learning has been a leader in more ways than one: our commitment to developing the youngest among us, our thorough support for families and communities, and our investment in the development of educators. Verner’s centers provide a supportive work environment, with a strong emphasis on one-on-one mentorship. Verner staff are expected to foster the supportive, play-based, interactive and reflective learning atmosphere that families have come to expect of us. Ideal applicants are open-minded and willing to grow and learn about innovative child development and family engagement best practices. Our unique benefits package includes tuition assistance, paid training, and comprehensive therapeutic support. All Verner educators are also entitled to freshly prepared and complimentary breakfasts, lunches, and snacks, courtesy of our Rainbow in My Tummy® nutrition program.
Job Description
The Family Advocate is responsible for supporting and engaging with the families of Early Head Start children enrolled in the center-based program. The Family Advocate provides support, referrals, and information about community resources as well as engaging families in the Family Partnership Agreement process. The position works in close partnership with the center directors and teaching staff, operating as a liaison between classroom and home settings.
Qualifications
- Associate’s degree in social work, human services, or a related field (Bachelors preferred)
- Experience in family social services and knowledge of early childhood education and intervention a plus
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to set and maintain professional boundaries with families
- Must work with a DEIB lens
- Must have a valid NC driver’s license and be able to drive a vehicle
- Bilingual Spanish Speaking is a plus
Responsibilities
- Maintains a caseload of 44 Early Head Start children (36-44 families) per program year
- Assists families in the development of family goals and provides recommendations and referrals to link families to appropriate community resources
- Maintains monthly contacts i.e., phone calls, group activity, home visits, and classroom visits to promote partnership and provide for regular communication
- Advocates and collaborates with community agencies to support child, family and agency outcomes
- Maintains monthly contact with teaching staff in order to share relevant home information and gain information regarding child performance in the classroom, with more frequent contact as necessary
- Provides information relative to Early Head Start health and nutrition requirements: support families in completing vaccination, physical, dental and nutrition screenings
- Documents all significant classroom issues, family contact and home visits in Child Plus, Parent Gauge
- Actively encourages parent participation in the program (ie. Family meetings, lesson/curriculum planning, field trips, Policy Council and classroom help.)
- Leads elections for and attends the Policy Council monthly
- Leads and/or supports family events at each center, including parent workshops, social activities, and other family engagement activities
- Translates for workshops, family events and Policy Council
- Assists Center Directors with family orientations to the program
- Participates in recruitment efforts/activities as requested
- Attends team meetings and trainings, both on- and off-site
- Translates all Verner documentation as necessary
- Assists NON-EHS Verner staff with translating documentation and/or information
- Support with coverage in classrooms when needed
- Physically able to lift at least 30 lbs.
- Other duties as assigned
Benefits & Compensation
- Access to industry-leading one-on-one mentorship
- Tuition assistance for ongoing career development
- State of the art learning environment providing the highest quality early care
- Paid continuing education & training opportunities
- Affordable Medical, Dental, & Vision insurance after 90 days of employment.
- Life Insurance
- Paid Family Leave
- Short & Long term disability
- Matching 403(b) retirement plan
- 5 1/2 weeks paid time off your first year (this includes PTO and Holidays)