Family Support Specialist

We have openings in Beach Park IL.

Start Early Lake County provides high-quality care best-in-class education and a stimulating learning environment to children from birth to five years old in Lake County Illinois. As a program that serves low-income families Start Earlys research-based program helps children develop the literacy language early math and social-emotional skills they need to succeed in kindergarten and beyond.

We are recruiting individuals who want to join us in this mission and share a commitment to our core values of appreciation & respect empowerment diversity excellence learning and communication.

We are looking for a Family Support Specialist to join our team who is committed to creating meaningful experiences with the children and families of Start Early Lake County. The Family Support Specialist engages families of enrolled children in activities practices and services that support parents as the primary nurturers experts and teachers of their child in order to promote and sustain their childs academic learning and development and life success.

When you join our team as a Family Support Specialist you will:

• Identify and develop community partnerships to help support family access to additional community resources in the following core areas:
  • Activities/strategies that promote and enhance the parent-child relationship
  • Activities/strategies that engage parents in discussions about their childs growth and development;
  • Providing parents with information and opportunities to learn about concrete things they can do to promote their childs learning.
  • Activities/strategies that encourage parents involvement in the education of their child and in their childs school both at Start Early Lake County and in the K-8 system. This includes helping parents recognize and expect quality education; know how to access quality elementary schools; and learn how to advocate for a quality education for their child;
  • Activities and strategies that support parents in achieving family and community outcomes.
• Develop and maintain meaningful supportive and educational relationships with families to help promote self-sufficiency skills and positive outcomes for their children.
• Collaborate with families to establish comprehensive Family Partnership Agreements.
• Monitor progress toward family goal completion.
• Recruit and enroll families into programs at Start Early Lake County.
• Perform at least three forms of recruitment per month to increase interest in the program and to assist in building a waitlist or filling vacancies within 30 days.
• Design implement and monitor family development initiatives; encourage parent involvement through regular family meetings and provide adult education opportunities throughout the program.
• Conduct periodic home visits to assess the familys resources and needs.
• Collaborate with the internal team to monitor track and coordinate services for children

• Bilingual Spanish Preferred (Must be able to read write and speak Spanish proficiently).
• Bachelors Degree in Social Work Human or Family Services Counseling or related field.
• Masters Degree in Social Work preferred or within 18 months of hire obtain a Gateways Family Services Credential or Social Work Credential.
• Obtain 15 hours of continuing education annually.
• Communicate effectively and work well with parents staff and various professional community groups.
• Deep commitment in advancing diversity and inclusion into organizational routines and practices.
• Optimally establish and maintain effective relationships with customers and gain their trust and respect.
• Comfort and experience in handling risk and uncertainty to move work forward

Salary: $51825-$62000

This position has the potential for a sign-on bonus and travel stipend.

Our generous benefit plan includes:Comprehensive Health Plans Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion Holistic Wellness Program Professional Development Program 401k Contribution Paid Volunteer Days 6 months paid parental leave and much more.

Start Early is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to our core values by creating an inclusive environment for all staff.