ROCKINGHAM COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

POSITION DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Family Services Worker for At-Risk Preschool Program	LOCATION: Works in all elementary schools within division
	JOB CATEGORY: Teacher or Social Worker
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: Building Administrator, Director of Preschool	PAY GRADE: Teacher
	FLSA STATUS: Exempt

GENERAL DEFINITION AND CONDITIONS OF WORK

Evaluates at-risk preschool family needs assessments to identify need for supportive services and makes follow-up contacts; works with various community services agencies to maintain a collaborative working relationship to address at-risk preschool family needs; provides support to building administrators and at-risk preschool teachers in promoting, planning, and implementing parental involvement programs and activities for preschool families. Assists administrators with Preschool student attendance issues. Coordinates the Preschool Advisory Committee meetings.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/TYPICAL TASKS

The minimum performance expectations include, but are not limited to, the following functions/tasks:

• Maintains and respects confidentiality of student and school personnel information, while maintaining the safety and welfare for all students and staff members;
• Follows federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies regarding children’s educational welfare;
• Reports any pertinent information to the proper authorities in cases of child endangerment, neglect, or abuse;
• Reviews at-risk preschool family needs assessment data to identify need for supportive services from various community agencies;
• Makes contacts with families (home visits/parent conferences) to follow-up the family needs assessment concerns and to promote parental involvement;
• Identifies services offered by community agencies, including assistance programs, classes/workshops in parent training, life skills training, and family literacy (GED, ELL classes, vocational training);
• Participates in the identification of social problems and advocates for the development of needed resources;
• May serve as a representative for school system, facilitator of project or member of an ongoing team to advocate for preschoolers;
• Interprets school division’s Preschool program and policies to other agencies and the community;
• Follows procedures and policies for referrals of families to appropriate agencies;
• Works collaboratively with the building administrator, classroom teacher, nurses, and Director of Preschool in addressing family needs;
• Facilitates linking families with community agencies to address needs by informing them of available services;
• Assists teacher(s) in planning, organizing, and carrying out parental involvement activities at the school, including program newsletters;
• Encourages family participation in the program (parent volunteers in classroom and/or field trips, attendance meetings/workshops, school/classroom visitation, sharing personal interest/skill with class as a resource person, family literacy programs);
• Attends staff meetings, inservices, and workshops, as assigned;
• Works with schools/teachers to help at-risk four year-old children enrolled in the program to ease the transition to kindergarten;
• Provides direct support and counseling by teaching family problem-solving strategies and providing tools for families to address areas of need;
• Advocates for students and families in the educational process;
• May assist in the selection of books, equipment, and other instructional materials;
• Works cooperatively with the preschool nurse in providing supportive services for at-risk preschool families;
• Works with the Director of Preschool in planning, and preparation for Preschool Advisory Committee meetings;
• Maintains licensure at the state and/or national level; assumes responsibility for professional growth and keeps materials, supplies, and skills up-to-date;
• Takes all necessary and reasonable precautions to protect students, equipment, materials, and facilities;
• Completes required monthly schedule and mileage reimbursement reports on time;
• Complies with and supports school and division regulations and policies;
• Maintains documentation of referrals, summary of Preschool parent and K teacher surveys, and prepares other reports as assigned;
• Models non-discriminatory practices in all activities;
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Director of Preschool and the building administrator to address the needs of families of at-risk four-year-old students.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Candidate must demonstrate knowledge of the kinds of services provided by community agencies and the ability to demonstrate the skills necessary for working collaboratively with the community agencies.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Candidate must be a graduate of an accredited college or university and should possess licensure in the early childhood or social work fields.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be able to provide own transportation to school-related functions, the homes of students, schools, and community agencies. Frequent operation of office equipment is required. Candidate must possess good moral character.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/REQUIREMENTS

Duties performed typically in school settings to include: classrooms, offices, and conference centers. Frequent walking, standing, stooping, lifting, up to approximately 20 pounds and occasional lifting of equipment and/or materials weighing up to 40 pounds. Other limited physical activities may be required. Regular and frequent contact with the students, school administration, school personnel, the Director of Preschool, other community agencies, and parents is a requirement. Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; visual acuity is required for preparing and analyzing written or computer data, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work. Candidate must possess the ability to work with special needs students. Frequent contact with parents by phone and in person may be necessary. Occasional contact with medical professionals may be required.

EVALUATION

The Director of Preschool, in collaboration with the building administrators, will evaluate performance on the ability and effectiveness in carrying out the above responsibilities.

School Board Approved

8/14/01