Family Support Specialist

Ohio Valley Opportunities is currently seeking an individual for the position of Family Support Specialist at our Jefferson County (Hanover) Head Start Center. This is a full time position with benefits. Qualified individuals must have a High School diploma or GED.  Must also possess a valid driver license and auto insurance.  Prefer someone with experience working with children and families. Some of the duties include:

• Provide continuous support services directly to assigned families by way of one on one contact, home visits, phone contact, and written communication as appropriate. All communication with families must be documented on Child Plus on a regular basis.
• Utilize a designated family assessment process and develop individualized family partnership agreements/goal setting with families to meet identified needs and goals.
• Coordinate services with families and other community agencies to support the accomplishment of goals in pre-existing plans.
• Identify and partner with community resources to provide comprehensive services to children and families.
• Provide support to families experiencing personal or family difficulties by providing direct services and making appropriate referrals to available resources.
• Assist with recruitment and enrollment efforts to maintain full enrollment, as well as work with families individually to address concerns with child attendance.
• Report suspected abuse and neglect concerns according to the Program Policies and provide supportive services to families in conjunction with Department of Child Services.
• Provide activities and experiences which enhance the parental role as the primary influence in their child’s education and development in conjunction with Parent Family and Community Engagement and School Readiness Goals.
• Coordinate assigned Parent Activity Committee (PAC)/ Family Fun Night meetings monthly and as requested; provide guidance and support to the PAC group to assure proper procedures and regulations are met.
• Assist with maintaining an active Policy.
• Assist recruiting/training volunteers and maintaining accurate records of volunteer hours.
• Assist with identifying and documenting In-Kind services and contributions.
• Actively participate in a team of Teaching/Center Staff to provide a comprehensive, quality program for children.
• Observe and interact with children in their classroom setting to support the relationship between you and Head Start families.
• Assist families with establishing a medical home and obtaining required health exams/screenings, obtaining health insurance, and/or follow up appointments; this may include, but is not limited to, scheduling or providing transportation to appointments.
• Assist the Health and Nutrition Coordinator with tracking child health exams/screenings.
• Participate in training opportunities as appropriate and this position. Some training may require out of town travel and/or overnight stay.
• Maintain timely, proper, and precise documentation, as well as a record keeping system with adequate provisions for confidentiality.
• Assist with implementation of Written Plan, Federal Performance Standards, and all applicable federal and state laws.
• Participate in regular meetings with Site Managers to review and monitor assigned family caseloads and submit necessary progress reports.
• Adhere to all Personnel Policies, Head Start Policies, and Procedures, and Indiana Child Care Licensing Requirements.
• Must maintain strict confidentiality in all aspects of the agency.
• Ability to recognize and manage one’s own behaviors, moods, and impulses — to create an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment within their organizations.
• Show respect and openness toward someone whose social and cultural background is different from one’s own. 
• Recognize that everyone has at least some ethnocentric views that are provided by that culture and shaped by his or her individual interpretation of it. 
• Cultural knowledge of key populations that will be served to address disparities that exist as it relates to serving children and families in our service area.

OVO has mandated the Covid-19 vaccine for all employees, accommodations considered. OVO is an equal opportunity employer and provider.