Bilingual Family Support Specialist

Sunbeam Family Services, Inc.; Oklahoma City (OK); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Sunbeam Family Services, Inc. seeks a Bilingual Family Support Specialist to strengthen child and family relationships through goal setting and family-centered planning.

The role involves collaboration with a multidisciplinary team, delivery of developmentally sensitive services, and trauma-informed practices in both Spanish and English. The position requires effective bilingual communication, experience in early childhood settings, and a commitment to serving diverse, at-risk communities in

Qualifications

• Bilingual Spanish/English conversational ability to interact accurately and effectively with children and families from multilingual homes
• Excellent command of English and Spanish languages, both verbal and written
• Ability to exercise good judgment and handle stress appropriately
• Willingness to work with high-risk, low-income communities
• Respect confidentiality and comply with HIPAA and FERPA requirements

Responsibilities

• Promote a culturally sensitive practice and engage with diverse families
• Support and individualize development of each child in the classroom
• Coordinate enrollment and ERSEA activities with the enrollment team
• Conduct health and wellness checks and ensure safety of child/family
• Maintain accurate records and reports and communicate with families regularly

Skills

Bilingual Spanish/English

Strong communication

Cultural sensitivity

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Family Studies, Social Work, or related field

Master’s degree in Family Studies, Social Work, or related field

Family Development Credential (FDC)

Tools

Child Plus

Job description

The Bilingual Family Support Specialist (FSS) supports child and family relationships by identifying strengths through the family goal setting process. The FSS collaborates within a multidisciplinary team to support early childhood best practice in sustaining developmentally sensitive, relationship-focused, hope centered and trauma informed service delivery. The FSS utilizes appropriate systems and tools to assess, plan and deliver appropriate activities designed to identify and support family/child strengths and challenges, develop and meet family goals, and to support the learning and growth of all children and families. This position requires effective communication in Spanish and English languages.

All employees and volunteers are expected to be sensitive to our clients’ cultural and socio- economic characteristics, reflect Sunbeam Family Services core values and to perform at Sunbeam’s standards of excellence at all times.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• 
  Promote and contribute to a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures, beliefs, abilities, and experiences.
• Support and individualize the physical, social-emotional, and cognitive development of each child in the classroom
• Demonstrate capacity for providing developmentally sensitive, evidence-based, hope centered and trauma informed relationship-focused evidence-based/informed services and supports.
• Exemplify the values expected within the program and promote the mission of the organization.
• Support the recruitment, intake, and enrollment of families in Early Childhood Services in coordination with the ERSEA (enrollment) team.
• Actively engage in ongoing developmentally sensitive, hope centered and trauma informed relationship building with families through regular conversations and interactions.
• Timely and accurately complete Family Needs Assessment in collaboration with families to identify supports and guide parents in family goal setting while tracking progress of the family.
• Plan, coordinate, and facilitate interdisciplinary parent engagement activities, meetings and educational opportunities for families in accordance with Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) family needs assessment.
• Facilitate regular meetings/staffings to engage in intentional and collaborative problem solving with the Mental Health-Education-Family Support multidisciplinary team.
• Promote and enhance the parent-child relationship, using Conscious Discipline principles, to support families as life-long learners and advocates for their children.
• Support teaching staff in educational home visits, promoting home-school connection.
• Conduct health and wellness checks to ensure safety of child/family and make referrals as needed in accordance with HSPPS standards.
• Monitor and document child attendance, working with families to develop attendance plans as needed in accordance with HSPPS.
• Actively collaborate with Enrollment (ERSEA) team to obtain documentation for eligibility determination and enrollment requirements.
• Support ongoing health requirements in collaboration with Health Advocates.
• Ensure regular, ongoing, and documented communication with families.
• Perform record keeping and run reports in a timely and accurate manner.
• Respect the confidential nature of Personally Identifying information (PII) that may need to be shared.
• Ensure that all reports and records are maintained accurately and promptly complying with all applicable confidentiality laws and regulations, including but not limited to HIPAA and FERPA.
• Represent Sunbeam in community collaborations and events as directed by supervisor.
• Promote culturally sensitive practice.
• Promote, encourage and display examples of leadership for clients, co-workers, and community.
• Travel locally as required in the performance of responsibilities.
• Perform other appropriate and related responsibilities as assigned by supervisor, Senior Program Director, Chief Program Officer or Chief Executive Officer.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Minimally Required

Preferred

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Family Studies, Social Work, or a related field

Master’s degree in Family Studies, Social Work, or a related field

Certification

Family Development Credential (FDC)

Experience

Experience in social services or related field

Two (2) years of experience in related field

Experience working in Child Plus

Skills

Knowledge

Abilities

Bilingual Spanish/English conversational ability to interact accurately and effectively with children and families from multilingual homes

Caring and compassionate attitude when interacting with and caring for children and families

Excellent command of English and Spanish languages, both verbal and written

Able to exercise good judgment and t handle stress appropriately

Willingness to work with high-risk, low-income communities

Accepting interpersonal approach that reflects cultural sensitivity to the unique and diverse experiences of families served

Process, protect and exercise discretion in handling confidential information and materials

Able to work as a cooperative and supportive interdisciplinary team member

Able to effectively and respectfully communication and support diverse families, professionals and community groups

Intermediate knowledge of computer operations and applications and the ability to master other computer technology/software programs, as needed

Good organizational and time management skills

Must work independently and collaboratively in a team environment

Valid Oklahoma driver’s license and state required vehicle insurance for any vehicle used in performance of job duties

Able to travel and work evenings and weekends as required by the job

Local travel required plus work some evenings and weekends, as required by the job

Knowledge and understanding of Child Plus

Knowledge and understanding of Head Start Performance Standards and state and local childcare licensing requirements

Advanced computer database and Microsoft software application knowledge

WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to frequently communicate with staff and others, and must be able to exchange accurate information when doing so. Must be able to endure remaining in stationary position for extended periods (up to 50% of workday).and occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office equipment, attend meetings, etc. The employee must also be able to interact closely and safely with small children in various positions. Must be able to communicate verbally with children, able to perform tasks such as feeding children, changing diapers, lifting children from floor or other surfaces. Occasionally must be able to move or lift up to 50 pounds at a time. Must be able to detect, discern, distinguish, observe, inspect and compare.

The employee will work in office and school environments, may work in close quarters with other staff. The noise level in the work environment varies from moderate to loud; frequent chaotic situations will occur, characteristic to working with children ages 0 5 years. Employee must expect exposure to strong odors such as soiled diapers and clothes, and poor hygiene. May come into contact with childhood diseases and blood on occasion.

Other

The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. The qualifications, physical demands, and work environment described herein are representative of those an employee will encounter and must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. These statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel or candidate and may be subject to change at any time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

SunbeamFamilyServicesisan equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We are committed tofairandequalinallitsemployment practices for persons without regard to race, ethnicity, color, creed, age, gender,sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, religion, disability ordegree thereof, national origin, domestic/marital status, political affiliation or opinion,veteran status, HIV status, AIDS status, genetic information, and any characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.