Eligibility & Family Services Lead - Northwest

Tri-valley-Opportunity-Council; Noyes Junction (MN); On-site; USD 58,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Tri-valley-Opportunity-Council is seeking an Eligibility & Family Services Lead to develop and strengthen eligibility, recruitment, family partnership, and community service systems across Head Start sites. You will mentor staff, ensure compliance with federal and program standards, and coordinate with partners to support families in accessing resources.

The role emphasizes recruitment support for migrant and seasonal programs, collaboration with schools and LEAs, and provision of resources and

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree or four years equivalent experience in human services, community services, social work, business management, or a related field.
• Willing to obtain the Family Service Credential within eighteen months.
• One year experience working with people of various cultures and situations.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, verbal and written.
• One year experience facilitating adult learning with professional and non-professional staff and clients/parents/guardians.
• Comfortable working with computers and willing to learn program-specific systems.

Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive training on duties, responsibilities, and expectations of assigned staff and offer ongoing support.
• Monitor staff performance and provide timely feedback.
• Support development of a safe, positive work environment and professional conduct.
• Lead coordination of eligibility, family services, and associated systems across service locations.
• Foster collaboration with centers, schools, LEAs and community partners to identify and respond to family needs.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Verbal and written communication

Cross-cultural experience

Adult learning facilitation

Education

Bachelor degree or four years equivalent experience in human services/related field

Job description

SUMMARY OF PRIMARY FUNCTION

The Eligibility & Family Services Lead is responsible for developing, supporting, monitoring, and strengthening effective eligibility, identification and recruitment, family partnership, family support, and community services at Head Start service locations within a multi-service area. The Lead assists the Family & Community Services Manager in planning and implementing eligibility and family services systems and provides resources, training, technical assistance, coaching, mentoring, and monitoring support to local staff. The Lead assists service locations in assuring compliance with federal, state, professional, and program standards; supports accurate eligibility determinations and enrollment; promotes effective family engagement and partnerships; and helps ensure families have access to appropriate resources and community supports. The position also supports identification and recruitment efforts, including migrant and seasonal program services, and works collaboratively with schools, centers, LEAs, community agencies, and other partners to identify and respond to the needs of children and families.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Resource Development & Community Partnerships

1. Identifies and utilizes appropriate resources to enhance the quality of program services for children and families.


2. Proactively establishes and maintains contacts and connections with public and private community agencies to facilitate effective program operation, referrals, follow-up, and family support.


3. Builds and maintains internal and external professional relationships with community, state, and national groups that support staff work with families.


4. Participates in the development of systems of communication that ensure staff and families are aware of community groups, learning opportunities, volunteer opportunities, and available resources.


5. Provides opportunities for representatives of trusted community organizations to meet with and present their services to families.


6. Supports community awareness of Head Start, Early Head Start, Migrant & Seasonal Head Start, and other applicable program services and benefits.

Eligibility, Identification, Recruitment & Enrollment

1. Defines and coordinates recruitment areas and maps with recruitment staff.


2. Maintains knowledge of migrant patterns, needs, issues, and changes that may affect recruitment, eligibility, and service delivery; communicates identified needs and recommendations to management.


3. Identifies, recruits, and supports enrollment of eligible children and families in comprehensive child and family programs, including Head Start, Early Head Start, Migrant & Seasonal Head Start, Migrant Child Care, Migrant Education Program, and/or other applicable programs.


4. Fully understands federal and program guidelines related to eligibility, selection, enrollment, and recruitment and applies them consistently.


5. Maintains knowledge of all forms and documentation associated with eligibility and enrollment and ensures forms are completed accurately and timely.


6. Determines family eligibility based on required interviews, documentation, and program requirements.


7. Assigns, tracks, and completes follow-up on MSIX Move Notifications and Data Requests, as applicable.


8. Completes final checks of Head Start eligibility documentation and supports accurate, complete, and timely enrollment records.


9. Contacts local growers, employers, community agencies, schools, LEAs, and other partners as appropriate to support identification and recruitment of eligible children and families.


10. Works with Center Managers, Recruiter Family Advocates, and other program staff to establish effective communication and recruitment procedures.


11. Supports recruitment activities and family outreach through community contacts, local advertising, and other approved strategies.

Family Partnership & Parent Engagement

1. Assists centers in providing effective parent involvement, parent engagement, and family partnership activities.


2. Advocates for the well-being of children and families and supports meaningful parent engagement.


3. Assists local management/supervisory, educational, health, and family services staff in effectively meeting child and family needs through on-site consultation and meetings.


4. Assists centers in planning parent meetings and monitors implementation of required site parent meetings.


5. Creates and supports systems for planning, implementing, and evaluating Parent Involvement, Fatherhood Initiative/Male Involvement, and parent education goals and objectives.


6. Supports staff in developing meaningful family goals that reflect families' strengths, priorities, and aspirations for themselves and their children.

Family Support, Social Services & Family Engagement

1. Works with the program to assure language and culture are respected and that materials, services, and family interactions are culturally and linguistically appropriate.


2. Ensures staff communicate with families in their preferred language and use skilled interpreters when needed.


3. Ensures families have access to information about their child and program services that is understandable and meaningful.


4. Consults with parents and staff regarding effective parent engagement and family support strategies.


5. Consults with key staff to establish and maintain procedures and supports for successful transitions of enrolled children and families.


6. Coordinates development, planning, implementation, and evaluation of family support and social service goals and objectives.


7. Provides information, training, and support to staff in family support, needs assessment, referrals, and social services to build effective partnerships with families.


8. Implements ongoing activities that provide information and support to parents and build on family strengths and skills.


9. Supports staff in assessing, referring, and supporting families while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.


10. Monitors Family and Community Services and related data in ChildPlus to ensure information is current, complete, accurate, and appropriately documented.

Training, Technical Assistance, Monitoring & Evaluations

1. Assists with coordination and review or analysis of training plans related to eligibility, family services, and associated systems.


2. Plans and provides orientation and training based on identified needs and requests so staff can effectively complete their responsibilities.


3. Provides training on eligibility, family services policies and practices, parent involvement, parent engagement, fatherhood/male involvement, parent education, and other assigned areas.


4. Provides technical assistance and monitoring, sharing individual feedback, modeling effective practices, and coaching staff toward effective performance.


5. Provides staff opportunities to share ideas and learn from one another.


6. Responds to short-term and long-term staff training needs and recommends professional development opportunities to improve qualifications and performance.


7. Plans and provides training to parents as required and requested.


8. Facilitates and/or assists centers with volunteer activities and incentive programs.


9. Orients new staff to program philosophy, services, organizational culture, and applicable eligibility and family services systems.


10. Observes, monitors, and documents compliance with federal, state, and program requirements and progress toward goals.


11. Monitors and documents progress in identifying and responding to individual and family service needs.


12. Reviews documentation, evaluates site performance and effectiveness of systems, provides feedback to local sites, and makes recommendations for improvement.


13. Reviews and analyzes program data sources to identify trends, areas for improvement, and opportunities to strengthen program services.


14. Shares relevant program data and findings with the Family & Community Services Manager.


15. Provides leadership and support to promote consistency of eligibility and family service practices across service locations.

Mentor and Coach

1. Provides comprehensive training on duties, responsibilities, and expectations of assigned staff, offering continued support, guidance, and resources as needed.


2. Assists Center Managers and/or designated supervisors in monitoring staff performance, providing timely feedback within established boundaries, and supporting performance and professional development goals.


3. Communicates and reinforces expectations for a professional, respectful, safe, and positive work environment.


4. Leads by example and encourages staff to commit to excellence, professionalism, and effective service delivery.


5. Provides positive leadership, mentoring, and coaching for staff during times of challenge or change and adapts priorities as needed.


6. Supports work group employees' short-term, long-term, and group goals for success.


7. Effectively manages multiple projects, commitments, and the work produced by staff while ensuring deadlines and quality expectations are met.


8. Fosters and supports a safe, positive, and productive work environment.


9. Coaches staff in reflective listening and effective verbal and nonverbal communication.


10. Helps staff develop strong, positive, and effective relationships with families, including families experiencing crises

Safety

1. Have or obtain within 90 days of hire a First Aid and CPR Certification as well as maintain the certification during employment.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

1. Bachelor degree or four years equivalent experience in human services, community services, social work, business management, or a related field.


2. Willing to obtain the Family Service Credential, offered by the program, within eighteen months.


3. One year experience working with people of various cultures and situations.


4. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, verbal and written.


5. One year experience facilitating adult learning with professional and non-professional staff and clients/parents/guardians.


6. Comfortable working with computers and willing and able to learn program-specific systems as needed for the position.


7. Proof of valid driver's license and current vehicle insurance coverage.