Social Worker, Family Advocacy & Support Services

Position Summary

Provide oversight and compliance to Family Services Component and coordination of all social service activities at the center. Serves as a family advocate, and liaison between family/client and community services and a support system for families within the child development center, and the community in accordance with Head Start/EHS requirements.

• Provide full case management services to support children and their families.
• Coordinate and schedule appointments for intake interviews with parent.
• Responsible for processing folders for intake and termination of children to include complete USDA Food Program Application with all required signatures and information.
• Register eligible children according to funding source procedures.
• Keeps records and maintains reports.
• Ensure referrals are submitted on a timely basis and ensure appropriate follow up with successful completion.
• Participate in Multi-disciplinary evaluations.
• Provide primary service coordination of children enrolled in program.
• Conduct psychosocial assessments of new children and families entering into the program.
• Coordinate and conduct home visits.
• Runs and analyses database reports to ensure compliance, monthly or more often as needed.
• Reviews client files and database entries for accuracy and timeliness.
• Serve as an advocate and continuous point of contact for the children, family and other appropriate parties.
• Design and implement a parent and community involvement program.
• Provide information, referral and follow up services to all of the children and families being served at the Center.
• Ensures compliance with Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment and Attendance criteria.
• Assists in maintaining waiting list equivalent to 20% of total program enrollment.
• Attend all Family Support Program and transition meetings.
• Conduct staffing and reassessments.
• Consult and follow up with other professionals involved in the treatment of the children.
• Monitor family services, family records and provide direct family services through case management or counseling; as needed.
• Maintain necessary records and reports; submit documentation in accordance with agency and contract requirements.
• Maintain integrity of Child Plus data system with current information at all times.
• Ensure that child’s demographic and enrollment data is entered into the appropriate data integrity system(s).
• Prepare all required monthly reports, timely.
• Plan, develop, implement and conduct on-going monitoring and self-assessment program in accordance with program regulations and guidelines.
• Analyze and interprets self-assessment/monitoring results; informs program management of non-compliance issues and develops strategic plan to address areas of non-compliance.
• Prepares findings for Head Start/Early Head Start director.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external partners.
• Attend in-service training, supervision and meetings as required.
• Other related duties as necessary to ensure the smooth running and efficiency of Easter Seals South Florida as a whole.

• Associate of Art degree in social work or related field preferred. At minimum, credential or certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling or related field.
• A minimum of one year related experience working in social services setting.
• 45 DCF hours preferred.
• Bilingual required. (English/Spanish)
• Ability to effectively communicate, verbally and written, with diverse (educational background, cultural, race and ethnic) groups or individuals.
• Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints.
• Working knowledge of services to infants / young children with special needs and their families.
• Meet qualifications as established by the Florida Department of Children and Families, Early Head Start and Head Start.
• Ability to work under pressure, maintain accuracy and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work with staff, participants and the public in a professional and concerned manner.

• Ensure the safety of all staff, volunteers, visitors and individuals receiving services at Easter Seals.
• Act in compliance with Medical and Non-Medical Emergency Procedures.
• Assist individuals in evacuating building during emergency situations to include but not limited to: fire drills and external disaster drills. Specific duties to be assigned by immediate supervisor.
• Assume assigned responsibility for non-clinical duties during disaster and/or drills including but not limited to safety of files/office areas, closure of doors.
• Successful completion of background process which includes:
  Local background check, Level 2 clearance (FBI, FDLE), clear TB test, medical clearance, drug test and reference checks.
• Work a flexible schedule as required.