Preschool Family Support Specialist

Porter-Leath; Memphis (TN); On-site; USD 21,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Porter-Leath in Memphis, TN seeks Family Liaison to provide social work/case management and health services to children in the Preschool program and their families. You will implement best practices to promote parent-child engagement.

Responsibilities include collaborating with staff, maintaining records, conducting health screenings, developing Family Partnership Agreements, and coordinating community referrals to ensure access to services and smooth transitions to kindergarten.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in social services or a related field is required.
• 1-2 years of experience in a social services/educational setting.

Responsibilities

• Perform according to the standards set forth by the Tennessee Department of Human Services- Child Care Licensing, Porter-Leath, and NAEYC.
• Work collaboratively with staff/administration to cultivate a strong partnership and ensure a smooth transition from Preschool to Kindergarten.
• Complete the application/enrollment process with participating families and record in database system. Assist with the completion of social histories, nutrition assessments, CACFP applications and other health forms. Verify file documentation for enrollment and ensure information is kept up-to-date including physicals and immunizations. Make follow-up contact with community referrals to assure eligibility to participate in the program.
• Plan recruitment events to maintain full enrollment each year.
• Develop and maintain family records. Maintain family, health and enrollment information in database system.
• Provide extensive case management services and referrals required by families involved in the program to ensure that students have access to needed services (transportation, Families First, Earn Benefits, WIC, job training, housing, etc.).
• Ensure all students enrolled have access to medical care. Arrange for health screenings (i.e. vision, dental). Review screening results. Develop and implement follow-up plans. Work with parents to promote parent participation in the delivery of health services for their children. Provide oversight and documentation of medicine administration.
• Support families in the development of a Family Partnership Agreement and assess families three times a year. Provide monthly follow-up and referrals to community resources to ensure families are working to achieve goals and make gains.
• Inform community about the services provided by the program and agency; assist with and conduct parent orientation.
• Assist with and attend staff in-service/trainings/meetings as necessary.
• Perform or arrange for developmental screenings for students to determine need for further evaluation as necessary. Discuss results with parents in order to make referrals. Obtain diagnostic report(s) and confirmation(s) of the disability condition of a child from the appropriate professional(s). Support staff in meeting children’s special needs in the classroom. Consult with staff and parents for development of an Individual Education Plan (IEP) for each qualifying child. Participate in conferences with teaching staff for children involved in disabilities services. Consult with staff and parents on the progress of the disabilities services and the individual children in the program. Participate in transition meeting and aid in the development of the Individual Education Plan (IEP).
• Function as an advocate for the child and/or family when there are legal/custody hearings or other hearings needed for the child’s permanent placement. Follow-up on staff concerns regarding child health and safety including suspected abuse and/or neglect. Inform parents of pertinent safety recalls.
• Track attendance and document reasons for absences. Analyze reasons and provide follow-up to parents.
• Assist with the timely completion of professional and accurate reports including monthly reports on attendance, Family Partnerships, health and disabilities.
• Assist families in locating/enrolling in life skills training classes/workshops that will meet their particular needs in the areas of: job readiness, career development, budgeting, credit counseling, conflict resolution, leadership skills, community advocacy, GED, etc.
• Make home visits to families as needed.
• Keep Supervisor informed of programmatic issues in a timely and concise manner.
• Conduct transition activities to assist families in making informed decisions regarding child placement and to ensure a smooth transition.
• Assess nutritional needs and ensure any special nutritional needs are met. Assist Manager with CACFP requirements, documentation, attendance and meal count.
• Create, carry out and monitor activities designed to promote parent engagement. Assure that parent involvement activities are provided that are responsive to the ongoing and expressed needs of parents on a monthly basis.
• Works with the Parent Engagement Specialist to organize parent meetings, coordinate Parent Committee activities, assist in the development and implementation of parent involvement strategies.
• Contribute to team effort by performing other duties as assigned.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in social services or related field

1-2 years of experience in a social services/educational setting

Job description

Porter-Leath in Memphis, TN seeks Family Liaison to provide social work/case management and health services to children in the Preschool program and their families. You will implement best practices to promote parent-child engagement.

Responsibilities include collaborating with staff, maintaining records, conducting health screenings, developing Family Partnership Agreements, and coordinating community referrals to ensure access to services and smooth transitions to kindergarten.