EHS FAMILY RESOURCE ASSOCIATE

JOB FUNCTION:

The EHS Family Resource Associate is responsible for coordinating, collaborating, and facilitating the effective delivery of comprehensive services to Early Head Start children, families, and child care partners in accordance with NJ licensing regulations and Head Start Performance Standards.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. With the EHS Options Education Coordinator, ensure that EHS child care collaboration centers plan and implement activities in an individually and developmentally appropriate manner for infants and toddlers in keeping with the philosophy and Performance Standards of Head Start and the licensing requirements of New Jersey. This includes, but is not limited to, completing lesson plan reviews, modeling lesson plans or activities, or mentoring new teachers as appropriate.

1. With the EHS Options Education Coordinator, ensure that child care collaboration centers observe, assess, screen, and document each child's growth and development in their class. Ensure that they plan activities to meet the needs of individual children. Ensure that accurate records are maintained for each child.

1. Responsible for the recruitment, enrollment, and daily attendance of eligible Early Head Start children and families including the following: maintaining an open-door policy for walk-ins, purposeful home visits, and active in-person contacts with the community.

1. Prepare and maintain appropriate records and reports as appropriate for supporting Early Head Start education, family services, health, nutrition, parent involvement, mental health, and disabilities and dental program areas.

1. Works with EHS/HS Options Family Partnership Coordinator to track child care subsidies, ensuring at least 40% of children enrolled have child care subsidies.

1. Works with EHS/HS Options Family Partnership Coordinator to assist families who have are unemployed or lack education/training, connecting them to resources in the community.

1. Works with the Mental Health/Disabilities Coordinator to ensure that the process of providing service to children with special needs in the classroom is implemented.

1. With child care center staff, conducts at least two (2) home visits per program year are conducted, as well as two (2) parent/teacher conferences within the program year.

1. Responsible for family, parent, and volunteer involvement including: attending, recruiting for, and supporting parent committee meetings and activities; assisting/conducting parent orientation; promote and coordinate participation of volunteers in the center; facilitate open communication between staff, parents, and the community; notify parents of changes in procedure, routine, or activity.

1. Responsible for developing a partnership with families including the following: assessing needs, developing a Family Partnership Agreement, home visits, connecting families with resources to meet needs, collaborate with other agencies and departments to ensure easy access to resources, and be an advocate for improving the quality of life.

1. Responsible for maintaining accurate, organized, confidential up-to-date records including the following: monitoring and documenting health status of children (immunizations, physical, health tracking instrument), conduct or set up screenings, submit monthly reports and Program Information Reports, compile and maintain an up-to-date community resource directory.

1. With the Director of EHS/HS Options, responsible for reporting suspected cases of child abuse and neglect to DCPP.

1. Responsible for participating in trainings and staff meetings through sharing ideas, information, and striving for professional self-development.