Family Services Manager

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Family & Community Engagement Manager will oversee the implementation and continuous quality improvement of a 2Gen/Whole Family approach to family services that complies with Head Start Performance Standards and the Parent, Family, and Community Engagement Framework. The Family Services Manager will serve as a member of the Head Start Leadership team and will supervise Family Advocates, the Early Head Start Home-based Supervisor and the Eligibility, Recruitment, Selections, Enrollment and Attendance (ERSEA) Coordinator.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Human Services or related field, Master’s Degree preferred.
• At least three (3) years of related experience in service delivery to families with young children, including at least two (2) years supervisory experience.
• Knowledge of community resources in Strafford County.
• Knowledge of positive parenting strategies, child development, and family dynamics. Knowledge of the impact of trauma and poverty on child development.
• Advanced computer literacy including:  Excel, Word, and Outlook. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Provides support and guidance to Family Advocates, the ERSEA Coordinator and the Early Head Start Home-based Supervisor in meeting the expectations of their positions as they support children and families.
• Oversees and supports the outreach, recruitment, selections, application and enrollment process, ensuring eligibility requirements for children and families, including those disabilities, are met.
• Works with the ERSEA Coordinator to ensure families in the greatest need are enrolled based on the selection criteria.
• Works with Policy Council to update Selection Criteria, at least annually
• Reviews attendance and enrollment activity with Family Advocates, Home Visitors and other staff and helps problem-solve the issues contributing to poor attendance. Assists in developing support plans and attendance agreements, as needed.
• Develops and implements recruitment plan to ensure program is fully enrolled and maintains a healthy waitlist.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with other agency programs, local social service agencies, schools, and state agencies that address the unique needs of low income and at-risk families with young children.
• Develops and maintains community networks
• Encourages Early Head Start and Head Start family engagement in community affairs that address issues of common concern to Head Start and low-income families.
• Monitors, in conjunction with other Managers Child Plus entries and reporting.
• Works with Family Advocates to support the development of active Parent Committees and that voluntary participation is encouraged at the center, program and agency level.
• Prepares meeting materials and leads monthly Policy Council Meetings with Policy Council Chairperson.
• Provides Family Advocates and other staff with information they can disseminate to parents about education opportunities, health and dental services and screenings, holiday assistance and community events.
• Ensures program adherence to all relevant Head Start Performance Standards recommending required changes to procedures and updating forms.
• Ensures that all necessary administrative tasks are completed in a timely manner including required reports and supervision records. This includes the collection and tracking of data and ongoing monitoring efforts.
• Audits program files to ensure completeness and accuracy in compliance with program standards for Family Advocates.
• Oversees all Early Head Start and Head Start child abuse and neglect reports.
• With the support of the ERSEA Coordinator, develops and annually updates community resource information, including the compilation, publishing, and distribution of the Community Resource Book of county and town agencies serving low-income families.
• Participates in the annual program self-assessment.
• Participates in the interviewing and selection of staff.
• Participates in the annual PIR.
• Reviews and revises forms, program operating plan, policies and procedures and Parent Handbook in collaboration with Managers and Supervisors at a minimum annually.
• Assists staff and/or families with agency referrals as needed.
• Maintains a library of resources, such as publications and videos for training and circulation purposes.
• Identifies and coordinates in collaboration with staff, social services training opportunities for staff and parents including the trainings mandated annually by the Head Start performance standards.
• Represents and supports the agency and Head Start / Early Head Start program through collaboration with local community agencies and professional organizations.
• Participates in regular planning meetings with the Head Start Management Team.
• Attends meetings and/or conferences as assigned (community, state, regional, and national).
• Other duties as may be assigned.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong commitment to maintaining confidentiality
• Excellent communicator and collaborator
• Excellent organization and time management skills with ability to prioritize and manage work load and deadlines
• Excellent problem solving skills
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment
• Ability to perform administrative tasks (establishing objectives, organizing and mobilizing staff to implement plans, planning ability, evaluation skills).
• Ability to collaborate with other social service professionals, agencies and staff.
• Ability to work flexible hours and travel when necessary.
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to the unique challenges faced by families living in poverty.
• Knowledge of and ability to utilize community resources.
• Reliable source of transportation with 100/300 liability insurance coverage.
• Physical strength/endurance/mobility to perform in a standard daily required work routine (i.e. walking, sitting, lifting, and driving to various sites as required).

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

• Be able to communicate effectively with staff, volunteers, and families on a regular basis
• Good communication skills and ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to read, write, and communicate instructions
• Ability to train and provide presentations to large and small groups

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supervises Family Advocates
• Supervises ERSEA Coordinator
• Supervises Early Head Start Home-based Supervisor

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS

• Works cooperatively with the Management Team to ensure full integration of programs.
• Plan, assign, coordinate, organize and prioritize work.
• Models direct, positive, honest, and respectful behavior in every aspect of work with children, families, staff and community members.
• Energetically engages people, issues and work.
• Applies the highest ethical standards to themselves and others on a daily basis.
• Supports other in their efforts to be productive and effective and succeed in work and life.
• Actively participates in teambuilding, which includes sharing ideas and mutual support of team members.
• Consistently uses interpersonal skills that are appropriate for individual styles, personalities, cultures, the nature of the work, and the environment in which the work is being done.
• Practices honest, respectful and direct communication as well as active listening.
• Respects confidentiality of information about agency staff, personnel issues, and other program operations.