SUMMARY

Manage the Family Services component of the Head Start program in accordance with all Head Start philosophies, concepts and performance standards. Work closely with the Headstart Management Team to ensure that all Head Start services are delivered in an integrated fashion. Work to make sure that all Head Start services are of the highest quality and that parent involvement and participation is promoted throughout the program.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversight of referral and intake process and, with Headstart Management Team, for maintaining enrollment levels. Update and implementation oversight of annual child/family recruitment plan.
• Review all new intakes, signing off on eligibility; identifying health issues and other areas of concern and reviewing priority/selection scoring.
• With Director, Child Care/Head Start, work closely with Parent's Policy Council, attending all monthly Executive Committee and full membership meetings, and for providing annual training to all Policy Council members.
• Ensure that all Head Start parents are properly oriented to all aspects of the program and to available community resources.
• Review all Family Partnership Agreements and implement a tracking system for ongoing referral and follow-up.
• Coordinate and facilitate Family Services Advisory Meetings (November, February and May), including recruitment of members, meeting notification and dispersion of minutes.
• Establish a regular schedule of bi-weekly staff meetings with Family Services staff.
• Coordinate filing of all 51A reports with the Department of Children and Families.
• Coordinate and facilitate regular Head Start Services meetings, including determination of meeting schedule and distribution of minutes to management team.
• Work closely with other Head Start managers to develop training programs for staff and education programs for parents. Responsible for professional development/training of all Family Services staff, and where applicable, assist with training of Home Visiting staff.
• Attend Statewide Head Start meetings for Family Services Managers, and participate in monthly Child Care/Head Start management meetings.
• Oversee annual update of the Community Resource book.
• Participate in annual program Self-Assessment and responsible for updating of Family Services written plan.
• Initiate purchase of materials and services required for the functions of the Family Services component.
• Recruit, manage, develop and evaluate staff by providing timely mentoring, training and performance management. Complete required paperwork in accordance with company policy.
• Manage the operational and fiscal activities of the program/department to include: staffing levels, budgets, and financial goals.
• Engage all children and parents by understanding and addressing their needs whether within or outside the scope of work.
• Attend & participate in team meetings as requested and communicate effectively with children, parents and staff in other areas.
• Maintain confidentiality of child, parent, employee and agency information in accordance with federal and state laws and funder requirements.•
• Ensure compliance with program/department, agency and/or funder requirements, as well as, SMOC policies & procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree with minimum of 3 years of case management experience.
• Minimum 2 years supervisory/management experience required.
• Previous experience working in Head Start preferred.
• Understanding of the needs of low-income families; single parent families; and families in crisis.
• Priority given to past or present Head Start parents who meet other qualifications.
• Valid Driver’s license, reliable transportation and evidence of insurability.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to drive.
• Recent physical exam indicating good health and meeting all EEC and Head Start requirements.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIP

• Directly reports to Child Care/Head Start Director.
• Direct reports of this position are Family Advocates, Health Specialist, Program Nurse and Program nutritionist.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Travel within Massachusetts required. As part of the responsibilities of this position, the Family Services Manager will have direct or incidental contact with clients served by SMOC in various programs funded or administered through the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. A successful background check is required.