Job Description

Join our team as a full time Family Services Specialist!

The YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles is not only the premiere non-profit in Los Angeles, it is also a great place to work, make a difference in your community and meet like-minded individuals. With twenty-eight centers, three camps and over fifty child care sites, the LA Y is a highly-collaborative, rewarding and fun environment where you will discover your passion, grow your career and make an impact!

We believe in the four Core Values of Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility and understand that our staff are our biggest asset! We strive to create high-performing, strong teams in each of our centers and are looking for passionate and enthusiastic staff who will help us to strengthen our impact, empower our community and deliver incredible programming!

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Operations Executive of Early Learning the Family Services Specialists will recruit and enroll families; support families to meet all the requirements of CCL, CSPP, Head Start and Early Head Start prior to and throughout enrollment (e.g., health requirements, nutrition requirements, immunizations, etc.); provides support to families in accordance with their specific needs; support families with other service areas as needed, such as health, nutrition, education, mental health, and disabilities.

The Family Services Specialist helps families to attain self-sufficiency through goal setting and family engagement activities. This role is more of a support and collaborative partner with the health and nutrition coordinator and other service areas plus they will be supported by the Operations Executive.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree (preferred) from an accredited four-year college or university in Child Development, Early Childhood Education, Human Development, Sociology, Psychology, Social Work, or a related field. Candidates with a completed AA degree in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or related field and who take a course of at least three semester units per year in child development, or a general education class required for the bachelor's degree will be considered.
• Two years of experience in programs offering child and family assessment services, home visiting services, and/or early intervention services.
• Direct experience in working with children ages 0 to 5, parent education services, and family support and referral services or similar required.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish).
• Valid Class C California driver's license and proof of auto liability insurance.
• Working knowledge of Head Start and CDE requirements preferred.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the public in English and Spanish.
• This position requires the final candidate to successfully pass an E-Verify check. For more information about E-Verify, please visit

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• TB test clearance to be renewed every two years.
• Current certification in Adult, Child & Infant CPR & AED First Aid
• Verification of Immunizations required by the California Department of Health (Pertussis, Measles, and Influenza)
• DOJ clearance and all other required background checks
• Valid Class C California driver's license and proof of auto liability insurance

WORK ENVIRONMENT/MINIMUM PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Child Development employees must be able to perform the following physical activities:
• Approximately 50% of the time is spent sitting, while frequently required to walk, stand, and bend. Must be able to talk and hear well. Good vision is imperative.
• Lift 30 pounds from the floor to a waist-high table when necessary.
• Position requires traveling to different work sites.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Caseload would be that of 50 HS families and 10 EHS families per Specialist.
• Carries out Head Start Performance Standards, requirements of the Head Start Act, the requirements of the LACOE contract and the requirements of the California Department of Education (CDE). and including program information reporting and data entry.
• Always adheres to professional conduct (e.g., proper tone and language use in the classrooms/site, respectful, proper for children, parents, and peers always.
• Attends/participates in Professional Development Activities, Supervision, and Individualized Professional Development Goals/Activities.
• Attend Coordinator meetings in the absence of the Operations Executive, at LACOE and any other LACOE meetings as needed
• Conduct home visits as needed.
• Responsible for Data entry, such as inputting information into LACOE's ChildPlus data base and maintaining it up information.

Enrollment & Recruitment

• Conducts ongoing outreach and recruitment to ensure site enrollment for assigned Head Start/State Preschool (CDE) programs.
• Completes enrollment (Head Start, Early Head Start, CSPP, CCTR) with families assigned to their caseload and other families as needed.
• Reports vacant information in a timely manner to maintain full enrollment at always assigned sites for both LACOE and CDE contracts.
• Participates in recruiting events, tabling events, coordinating recruitment events, recordkeeping of recruitment.

Family Support

• Completes strengths and needs assessment for assigned families.
• Provides families goal-setting opportunities and assists with attaining milestones that result in self-sufficiency.
• Facilitate parent activities and workshops/training to promote parent advocacy and involvement in partnership with Site Directors and Teachers.
• Enhances parent's skills and understanding regarding parental engagement and activities that promote literacy.
• Collaborate with the Site Directors to plan and implement monthly parent meetings.
• Ensure effective communication with families.

Community Connections

• Provides resources and referrals for families.
• Establishes and maintains partnerships with community-based organizations to facilitate family access to support services.
• Collaborate with the Operations Executive of Early Education on Family and Community Engagement service areas to maintain resources for families.
• Invite community-based programs to monthly parent meetings in response to parent-identified needs/interest.

Health and Nutrition

• Provides health-related services to children such as hearing/vision screenings; heights/weights.
• Works with families to review and input health/dental requirements at enrollment and throughout the year as required by LACOE and CDE contracts.
• Provides parents with all necessary paperwork related to health issues, medication, and allergies.
• Works with Health Specialist to ensure the site allergy-alert list is up to date and posted as required.
• Ensures all health/nutrition requirements are completed in a timely manner.
• Communicate with Site Director and teachers regarding health/nutrition needs of enrolled children.

Record Keeping, Monitoring, and Data Analysis

• Completes monthly monitoring reports for ERSEA, FCE, and Health/Nutrition.
• Maintains up-to-date child/family files and disseminates information, as needed.
• Develops and maintains appropriate case notes and other records and prepares periodic reports as required.
• Monitors and completes reporting related to attendance, absences and follow-up case notes with families.
• Entry of data and program information reporting in various databases.

Integrated Service Delivery

• In collaboration with the Operations Executive of Early Education, submits referrals for support services such as disability and mental health.
• Participates in Multidisciplinary Team meetings.
• Facilitates the exchange of information between assigned families and content area specialists; through the referral process and participates in MTD meetings.

Additional Responsibilities

• Attend staff meetings and trainings as required.
• Uphold YMCA policies for safety, supervision, mandated reporting and risk management.
• Demonstrate the Six Pillars of Character (Trustworthiness, Citizenship, Respect, Responsibility, Caring, Fairness) as well as the YMCA Core Values of caring, respect, honesty and responsibility in all dealings with members, guests, volunteers and fellow staff.
• Demonstrate competencies in and willingness to develop in the Cause Driven Leadership areas of mission advancement, collaboration, operational effectiveness and personal growth.
• All other duties as assigned by your supervisor.

What's in it for you?

🏥 👓 Healthcare for you & your family: Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance plans to keep you and your family covered.

✈️🏖️Take time away from work: Enjoy 10 Paid Holidays including 2 Flexible Floating Holiday Vacation Days and paid vacation time to get away and relax.

🏊 Free Access to All 28 Greater LA Centers : Dive into fun and fitness anytime, anywhere across our vibrant community of facilities.

👧🧒 Give Your Kids the Best! Enjoy free before and after school childcare at select locations for your little ones, along with complimentary sports and youth classes - it's a win-win for everyone! (some limitations apply)

🌟 Celebrate Your Health & Well-being: We believe in self-care, so enjoy a paid day off annually dedicated entirely to your wellness and rejuvenation and we offer paid sick leave.

🤸‍🎨 Get Active & Creative with the Whole Family: Grab a 20% discount on our exciting LA Y programs and treat yourself to a myriad of activities designed to keep you energized and inspired!

🏕️ Adventure Awaits: Enjoy a whopping 25% discount on day camps for your kids, creating memorable experiences for them while you save big.

Plan for the Future: We'll help you start preparing for tomorrow with a 10% Y Retirement Fund contribution (upon eligibility) and access to the Y Retirement 403(b) Savings Plan (tax-deferred and Roth options).

📚🎓 Lifelong Learning : Embrace growth with paid training, leadership development opportunities, and tuition assistance to help you reach your professional goals.

💳💵 Financial Wellness Matters: Staff are able to enjoy access to Rize Credit Union and can save big on everyday purchases with several discount programs, including access to PerkSpot !

💎 That's Not All: There is a treasure trove of additional perks waiting for you! Imagine combining your passion for education with these amazing benefits - that's the kind of impact we're talking about!

Ready to embark on this adventure with us? Apply now and let's make every day at the YMCA a day filled with laughter, growth, and joyful play!

As part of our dedication to the diversity of our staff, the Association is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity without regard for race, color, national origin, ethnicity, gender, protected veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion. People of color, people with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

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