Description:
EMBRACING ABILITIES. EXPANDING POSSIBILITIES.
At Easterseals of Chicagoland and Greater Rockford, we are committed to two – often interconnecting - pillars of work……early learning and disability. Through these pillars, we transform the lives of early learners and individuals of all abilities through access to expert educational, family, and community support. As an affiliate of America’s largest nonprofit health care organization, we have proudly served the communities and families of Chicagoland and Greater Rockford since 1936.
For more information about our organization, please visit us online at www.eastersealschicago.org.
Under the direction of the Family and Health Coordinator, the Family and Health Advocate - Bilingual Arabic (FHA) builds trusting and collaborative relationships and provides ongoing direct support services to families at assigned sites throughout Chicago and surrounding suburbs. The FHA works collaboratively with sites and with the Early Learning Services team to deliver services that fulfill Head Start/Early Head Start/Preschool for All/Prevention Initiative requirements in the areas of: ERSEA (Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance), PFCE (Parent, Family, and Community Engagement), and Health and Nutrition.
This role is ideal for someone who has respect for children and families with diverse values and cultures and is passionate about achieving positive child and family outcomes through high-quality engagement.
This position is located at Easterseals Early Learning Center- Hickory Hills at 8020 W. 87th St., Hickory Hills, IL 60457.
MAJOR FUNCTIONS/ACCOUNTABILITIES:
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Develop and maintain professional partnerships with administrative and teaching staff at assigned sites; evaluate needs and provide support to sites in meeting the Head Start Program Performance Standards and PFA/PI requirements.
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Build trusting relationships with families and provide ongoing support through the following: at least one significant monthly contact with each family (in person whenever possible); family assessment and goal setting; referrals and services, follow-up, and advocacy to meet family needs and interests; implementation of parent engagement curriculum.
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Provide two family visits per year to each family in their home.
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Develop and maintain a regular schedule of site visits to ensure implementation of HS/EHS/PFA/PI services and ongoing contact with families, including flexibility (early morning and evening as needed) to meet the schedules of families. This includes being present in person on site for, but not limited to, the following:
- Drop-off and pick-up on a regularly scheduled weekly basis
- Eligibility screenings
- Playdates
- Acceptance meetings
- Each child’s first day at the center
- Parent meetings, workshops, and events
- Weekly check-in with the director to review site verification
- Weekly check-in with the director to discuss enrollment and selection
- Other meetings with parents as identified
- Promote literacy by increasing families’ access to materials, including lending libraries, and encouraging involvement in classroom activities.
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Maintain full enrollment of Head Start/Early Head Start/PFA/PI children at assigned sites through ongoing recruitment and by following the eligibility, selection, acceptance, and enrollment process; fill vacancies within 30 days.
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Implement attendance follow-up procedures, including attendance home visits as needed, to support regular attendance.
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Work with Easterseals and site staff to ensure that enrolled children remain up-to-date on well-child visits, physicals, immunizations, EPSDT-required screenings, vision and hearing, and dental exams; educate families on the purpose of preventive health care; ensure protocols are followed for any ongoing health issues (asthma, food allergies, etc.); follow up with families and doctors’ offices as needed.
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Measure the heights and weights of children ages 2 and up according to a twice-yearly schedule.
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Collaborate with teachers and instructional coaches to communicate with the parent as needed when there are developmental, social-emotional, or behavioral concerns for which a referral is recommended, including participating in SRT (Screening Review Team) and Social Emotional Review Team meetings, providing resources, and supporting families through the IEP/IFSP process and in advocating for their goals for their child.
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Work with sites to encourage parent participation in site-level Parent Committees and agency-wide Policy Council; coordinate parent elections for Parent Committee officers and Policy Council Representatives.
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With Parent Committees and sites, plan an annual Parent Involvement Activity Calendar and Budget, including annual Parent Orientation, Parent Committee meetings, parent workshops, and parent-child activities. Ensure that activities take place according to current requirements for frequency, content, etc. Coordinate and be present for these activities.
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Maintain complete and accurate records in the ChildPlus system.
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Maintain complete and accurate child/family binders at sites.
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Utilizing ChildPlus, implement tracking to ensure required timelines are met.
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Participate in community engagement activities and relationship-building, including recruitment, developing linkage agreements, and attending agency/network meetings and community events.
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Maintain complete and updated Community Resource Board at sites.
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Submit all required paperwork accurately and in a timely manner, and attend all required meetings.
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Complete and submit site verification forms and maintain Outlook calendar.
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Participate in Enrollment/Recruitment Campaign, annual self-assessment, community assessment, and PIR.
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Contribute to the achievement of Program Goals and School Readiness goals and promote a culture of safety.
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Based on caseload sizes, FHAs may provide regional support with family engagement and recruitment.
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All other duties as assigned.
Requirements:
Education/Certification:
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Bachelor’s degree or higher in social work, human services, family services, counseling, or a related field.
Or
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Associate’s degree in social work, human services, family services, counseling, or a related field, plus a minimum of 1 year of experience in social services or early childhood education.
Or
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Degree in another field* plus a minimum of 1-3 years of experience in social services or early childhood education.
Or
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No degree* plus a minimum of 1-3 years of experience in social services or early childhood education.
- If no degree, or if degree is in another field, family specialist credential must be earned within 18 months of hire.
Experience Required:
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Bilingual ability (English/Arabic) may be preferred or required for some positions.
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Microsoft Office Suite or related software, including Microsoft Teams.
Vehicle/Transportation Requirements:
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Valid driver’s license
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Auto insurance
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Reliable vehicle.
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Travel to Easterseals and partner sites regularly
Skills/Abilities:
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Able to establish rapport and build trusting relationships with families.
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Demonstrates a non-judgmental, compassionate, and culturally sensitive approach to working with families.
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Demonstrates a communication style that is open, adaptable, reflective, engaging, honest, and culturally sensitive.
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Ability to visit families in home and community settings, and to work flexible hours, including evenings, to meet family needs.
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Ability to engage in reflective learning practices and to utilize constructive feedback in order to inform work with families.
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Ability to work well with all levels of the organization, partner sites, other agencies, and funding source personnel.
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Demonstrates the ability to conceptualize and articulate program outcomes.
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Ability to manage multiple projects.
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Well organized, highly detail-oriented, and accuracy-driven.
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Excellent interpersonal skills.
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Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
ADA: Easterseals will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disability Act of 1990. Unless exempted by the Americans with Disabilities Act, all persons hired for this position are required to possess the ability to perform the physical tasks necessary to treat clients, i.e., bending, floor-sitting, etc., as well as to have the ability to lift up to 50 pounds frequently.
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