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POSITION SUMMARY: The Family & Community Partnerships/ERSEA (FCE) Coordinator is responsible for supporting the Grantees Early Head Start (EHS) Partners in the areas of family support and community partnerships, parent involvement, and ERSEA through leadership, training, monitoring and technical assistance to programs systems and services as outlined in the Head Start Performance Standards. The FCE Coordinator assists and supports the sites with participant enrollment including recruitment, selection, eligibility and attendance. The FCE Coordinator is responsible for ensuring that the Grantees EHS Partners programs develop, integrate, and implement systems and procedures for the delivery of comprehensive support and advocacy services to children and families. The FCE Coordinator provides direct services to Grantees Directly-Operated Doula program in the area of participant eligibility.

This position requires travel to sites located in high-risk, low-income communities in the Chicagoland area.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS: The FCE Coordinator is supervised by the Assistant Director of Grantee Support Services.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND KEY TASKS:

• Provides leadership and support to the EHS Partner programs in the areas of Family Support, Advocacy, Community Partnerships, Parent Involvement, Enrollment, Recruitment, Eligibility, Selection and Attendance (ERSEA) as outlined in the Head Start Performance Standards.
• Develops systems for the management and compliance of Family & Community Partnerships and Parent Involvement programming and ERSEA services provided by the EHS Partner programs in conjunction with Head Start Grantee Support Services.
• Provides technical assistance and support to EHS Partners Family Support Specialists and Supervisors.
• Determines participant eligibility for Grantees Directly-Operated Doula program.
• Reviews EHS Partners' Family Support, Parent Involvement, Community Partnerships and ERSEA files, providing constructive feedback.
• Monitors EHS Partners' Family and Community Partnerships and Parent Involvement programming and ERSEA services including regular review of programs' COPA entries.
• Creates systems that promote coordination and integration of Family Support, Community Partnerships and Parent Involvement.
• Serves as a member of the Grantee Support Services Team.
• In conjunction with the Grantee Support Services, develops training and other support systems and the annual Training and Technical Assistance Plan to address identified needs and services.
• Participates in the evaluation of EHS Partners program services through the Self-Assessment and Validation processes.
• Has primary responsibility for the development of the EHS Partners Family & Community Partnerships and ERSEA Service Plans ensuring that they address the requirements of the Head Start Performance Standards.
• Conducts bi-monthly Grantee enrollment reports and conduct mandated reporting to the Head Start Regional Office and The Office of Head Start.
• Participates in the annual community assessment triennial/update process with research and the Head Start ERSEA Coordinator and ensures its distribution and proper use.
• Conducts monthly meetings with EHS Partners Family Support Staff.
• Oversees training budget for Family and Community Partnerships and ERSEA and monitors use of EHS Partners parent involvement funds.
• Generates all necessary program service reports.
• Performs other duties within the scope of the job description as assigned.

EDUCATIONAL AND WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIRMENTS:

• Master of Social Work Degree. LCSW preferred.
• Five years experience in a Head Start or similar Early Childhood program, including:
  • Experience in program development and assessment of quality services.
  • Experience working with support staff, community agencies, infants and toddlers and their families.
  • Experience working with culturally diverse populations.
  • Experience designing and implementing training for staff
  • Experience developing and facilitating effective community collaborations
  • Experience leading and participating in interdisciplinary teams
  • Experience implementing the Head Start Performance Standards related to ERSEA and Family & Community Partnership and Parent Involvement.

ADDITIONAL JOB REQUIRMENTS:

• Clearance of background check by Department of Children and Family Services.
• A biannual physical examination and TB test are required as condition of initial employment and continued employment.

REQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of and ability to implement Head Start Performance Standards and state and local licensing requirements.
• Demonstrated leadership abilities and ability to implement reflective supervision.
• Ability to work independently on analytical tasks.
• Ability to work as a cooperative and supportive team member.
• Ability to communicate and work with diverse families and professionals.
• Ability and willingness to work in a program located in a high-risk, low-income community.
• Proven ability to function as a leader, as well as a team member.
• Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information and materials.
• Intermediate knowledge of computer applications, word-processing software in a Windows environment and ability to learn and master other computer technology /software as needed.
• Ability to communicate and respond in a manner that consistently demonstrates respect and concern.
• Must have excellent organizational skills and proven ability to work within prescribed timelines.
• Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Must be able to travel to Grantees Partners sites.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Must be able to talk, hear, sit, stand, walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and lift and or move items of up to 20 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Must have excellent command of the English language and grammar, both verbal and written.
• Must be able to manually operate and use a computer and other office equipment.
• Ability to clearly hear and understand telephone conversations.

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