Description
The Family & Community Engagement Supervisor applies professional expertise in family and community partnership, working in cooperation with all other disciplines (Child Development/Disabilities, Health, Mental Health, Nutrition and Administration) in order to provide internal services, training and compliance monitoring. The Family & Community Engagement Supervisor will ensure adequate tracking and monitoring of component activities, while supervising staff and providing training and technical assistance to parents and staff.
The Family & Community Engagement Supervisor is responsible for promoting the mission of ABCD Head Start & Children’s Services; building an understanding of the program by communicating this mission to staff, families and the community.
This position must comply with all federal, state and local laws, regulations, standards and policies, including those of the federal Administration for Children and Families (ACF), the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Massachusetts disability law (Chapter 766), Boston Family Engagement Network (BFEN) and ABCD, Inc. Head Start and Children’s Services policies and procedures.
All ABCD Head Start/Early Head Start and Children’s Services personnel who are paid to care for, or work with, children are MANDATED BY LAW to report all suspected cases of child abuse and neglect to the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families (DCF), pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 119 §§ 51A – 51G. Any staff member who suspects child abuse or neglect of a child must inform his or her supervisor immediately.
The responsibilities of a particular position may support both Early Head Start and Head Start depending on the individual assignment. The specific corresponding funding allocation will be documented on the personnel payroll authorization or change of status form.
All communications are potentially sensitive and are subject to Head Start's policy on confidentiality.
Key Responsibilities
Family Services and Community Partnership Specialized Support (Up to 40%)
• Establish and maintain contact with service providers who work in the areas of abuse prevention, parenting education, and basic needs in an effort to enhance the services already provided on site.
• Assist in recruitment, including presentations; public relations and public service announcements, as well as distribution of program information to ensure full enrollment of eligible families.
• Identify and collaborate with local community agencies to develop a network for advocacy, referrals, and services.
• Verify income and eligibility qualifications of children and families.
• Provide technical support in the area of parent engagement, family & community partnerships and fatherhood engagement.
• Organize & facilitate parent education classes, research and recruit new speakers and trainers for parent education topics as well as other preventive activities.
• Assist with regular updates of parent materials.
• Promote family engagement in all aspects of the program.
• Coordinate agendas/speakers/materials for monthly Professional Days and weekly staff meetings.
• Ensure the delivery of follow-up services on family services, nutrition, health, and mental health issues.
• Assist in procuring donations which support the family and children’s needs.
• Provide support to the Head Start Parent Committee at the program and periodically attend monthly meetings for the Head Start Policy Council.
Content Area Administration & Staff Support (Up to 35%)
• Supervise, mentor, train, direct and evaluate the Family Advocates, ERSEA Specialists and interns.
• Research using computerized and other library searches for current materials in the field to support Direct Service Staff.
• Provide reports to Program Director and Central Staff.
• Oversee child and family record policies and implementation including responding to subpoena and other record requests.
• Provide support to content area staff through trainings and orientations.
• Design and deliver specialized and mandated trainings to staff and parents and promote collaborative team work.
• Provide information, referral and coordinating efforts to link staff and families with appropriate community resources.
• Supervise and monitor content area staff in the area of documentation and proper use of the child and family database.
• Organize and prioritize in-coming referrals and other communications.
• Participate in placement meetings in determining appropriate classroom assignments for all children.
• Collaborate and coordinate with other content areas.
• Attend community meetings related to component needs and advocate for Head Start Families’ needs.
• Complete and follow state and agency child abuse and neglect protocols.
• Provide support for and facilitate preventative activities for staff and parents that promote mental health and well being.
Utilize Information & Technical Systems (Up to 20%)
• Ensure that all Head Start and Early Head Start applications are accurate, complete, and evaluated according to established criteria prior to Selection.
• Maintain and monitor a comprehensive record keeping system through documents and through database system.
• Maintain statistical data as requested by the ABCD Head Start administration and in accordance with federal and state regulations.
• Maintain on-going contact with families.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
JOB KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:
- Demonstrate a knowledge of and sensitivity to the educational and socioeconomic needs of the children and families served.
- Excellent written and verbal communication as well as interpersonal skills.
- Demonstrated understanding of strategic planning, marketing and communications principles.
- Organizational management skills, with the ability to thrive in fast-paced, team environment with multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Ability to deal sensitively and effectively with persons of diverse social-economic and cultural backgrounds.
- Successful experience in working as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
- Ability to deal with sensitive family situations in a non-threatening and professional manner.
- Ability to set and maintain professional boundaries with staff and families.
- Keyboarding skills, computer literacy and familiarity with various applications such as database, word processing, e-mail and internet.
- Engage in ongoing staff development to expand professional skills.
- Knowledge of neighborhoods served by programs and city-wide services relevant to the programs population.
- Proven ability to keep accurate written records and documentation.
- Possess the ability to work with culturally diverse low-income population.
- Attend and participate in community activities, training, and night meetings as needed.
- Possess bilingual ability where appropriate. Translates as necessary or when needed.
- Maintain knowledge of all federal, state, city and program laws, regulations, standards and policies.
Professionalism
- Engage in ongoing staff development to expand professional skills.
- Maintain professional boundaries in relationships with staff and families.
- Maintain confidentiality of child and family information at all times.
Physical Environmental Demands & Conditions
- Frequent significant decisions and problem solving abilities.
- Ability to work as a team member collaborating with coworkers, parents and community resources.
- Frequent traveling for home visits and off site trainings.
- Regular kneeling, bending and sitting on the floor to attend to child's needs.
- Lift and move infant to preschool age children.
- Lift items based on program administration needs.
- Must be able to work independently without intensive supervision.
- Must be able to balance and prioritize work load and have strong time management skills.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:
Minimum Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, public or business or early childhood administration or related field, with at least five years of relevant professional experience required. Three years of experience specifically in areas of program operations and planning, outreach and policy development that are applicable to family services and early education programs. Master’s degree preferred.
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