COOK INLET TRIBAL COUNCIL, INC.

JOB DESCRIPTION

General Functions:

This is a developmental position designed to grow in depth and breadth from Family Partner I to Family Partner III with progressively more responsibility. The primary responsibilities of this position are: develop close working relationships with all families of students, specifically working with families on caseload to establish family centered goals. This position is designed to be an integral team member who works with all departments to help family succeed. Starting level determined based on qualifications and experience upon hire.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Family Partner (I)

• Demonstrate professionalism by consistently meeting the Standards of Conduct and expectations regarding dress code, phone use, punctuality and all other expectations of the position.
• Model excellence in the Head Start Parent, Family, and Community Engagement Framework through linking information and interactions between staff and families to the Family & Child Outcomes. Offer insight and clarification to staff regarding the Framework and help team strengthen their overall knowledge of the Framework
• Check in with teachers of assigned classrooms every day to encourage the flow of communication and support families through seamless information sharing
• Make contact with all families on case load a minimum of 1x/week by greeting in the building or at family events
• Have intentional conversations with families 1x/month regarding the goals of their Family Partnership Agreement in order to assess current status and next steps
• Initiate Transition planning process at 30 months of age for children exiting the program and participate in classroom movement conversations especially when a child turns 11 months
• Have coaching conversations with families if attendance drops to 85% and update team. If attendance reaches 75%, implement attendance plan and update team. All conversations should be Strengths Based.
• Ensure all documentation is properly entered and/or uploaded by the end of each business week
• Work closely with all center families and specifically families on case load, to develop goals, to promote attendance, and to provide information and referrals based upon the family's goals and priorities, aligning with the Head Start Performance Standards. Participate in staffing plan at Front Desk to maximize availability to families and support team.
• Meet with all families on caseload a minimum of monthly in order to maintain regular contact to foster an ongoing partnership with the family in support of the achievement of their Family Partnership Agreement and identifying any new needs that may have arisen.
• Remain knowledgeable of all specialties within department and remain competent to implement the primary functions within: pre-natal program, family and community engagement, family night, etc.
• Maintain a strong working knowledge of local community resources, specifically those critical in supporting our families.
• Provide referrals and access to resources such as TANF, child care, Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECKLC), CITC, Stone Soup, AWAIC, and other appropriate agencies that address the family’s needs and goals.
• Represent CSELC professionally at all events. Preserve and cultivate professional and high-quality relationships with all community partners
• Fully participate in Family Services meetings and be prepared to report on: Status of Family Partnership Agreements and Goals, children who will be transitioning in the next two months, children/families who have fallen below the 85% attendance rate and the planned course of action, and completed/upcoming family education or outreach activities
• Provide support to the Head Start Policy Council.
• Participate in the staffing process with all identified team members by providing up-to-date family picture and willingness to support family if needs arise.
• Support educational team in accomplishing bi-annual home visits and parent-teacher conferences with participants.
• Promote, plan and participate in monthly Family Night events and other parent education events.
• Availability to work flexible hours in order to meet needs of families and program.
• Assist families in the process of transitioning to CINHS by coordinated transition activities with CINHS staff and information on the transition process and activities to help children prepare for the transition.

Family Partner (II)

• Consistently perform all duties/responsibilities of Family Partner I with a high level of proficiency as evidenced in a performance evaluation.

• Develop materials in areas of specialization, which include community resources, child abuse prevention, and parenting education, weekly bulletins and monthly newsletters.

• Strongly support specialization areas; depending on needs of program could be assigned specialization area to coordinate.

• Provide crisis intervention services to families if needed, aligning with program philosophy and under the direction of Family Services Manager.

Family Partner (III)

• Responsible for collaborating with Family Services Manager to execute functions of Family Services department.
• Working collaboratively with CSELC management team to identify trends of program as identified through community assessment, self-assessment, and daily program operations.
• Help organize and implement staff training depending on needs of program.
• Plan, organize and lead parent education events based on parent interest surveys and performance standards as required.
• Coordinating monthly Family Night events in alignment with parent education program.
• In partnership with Family Services Manager and Director, collaborate to support functioning of parent Policy Council.
• Monitor and help guide implementation of specialization areas.

Minimum Core Competencies:

• Values, Professionalism, Emotional Intelligence, Problem Solving/Critical Thinking, Communication Skills.

Job Specifications:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills as demonstrated by, print ready notes using college level technical writing skills, telephone etiquette,
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Must be proficient at all Microsoft Office products, especially Excel
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate multiple activities.
• Strong understanding of child development and parent education.
• Flexibility in work schedule is required to meet with participants in various settings (home, community, office).
• Understands and applies concepts of relevant philosophies including Strengthening Families and the impact of trauma, specifically Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE’s).

Minimum qualifications:

• (I, II, III)
• Must provide copy of current TB test and physical upon hire. Must be able to lift 50 pounds.
• Infant/Toddler CPR/First Aid Certified or become within 60 days of hire
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the social, health, educational, training, and cultural needs of the Alaska Native and American Indian community. Continued employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of state and federal background check.
• Valid Alaska Driver’s License and be insurable under CITC’s automotive insurance, which requires a driver to be at least 21 years of age.
• Continued employment is contingent upon receipt of satisfactory report from a state and federal background check.

• (I) Associate’s degree in Social Work, Human Services, or Early Childhood Education or related field.
• (II) Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Human Services, or Early Childhood Education or related field.
• (III) Master’s degree in Social Work, Human Services, Early Childhood Education or related field.

Preferred qualifications:

• Case Management experience in Alaska, specifically working with Alaska Native and American Indian cultures.
• Two (2) years Head Start Experience, including knowledge of ChildPlus software
• Current or former Head Start Parent.

Additional information:

Hiring preference shall be given to eligible and qualified Alaska Native/American Indian applicants pursuant to P.L. 93-638 Indian Self-Determination Act.