Family Support Specialist The Family Support Specialist, under the Southeastern Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) Agency and funded by the Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five (PDGB5), plays a pivotal role in supporting families with young children. This role is essential in implementing a family support pilot program aimed at enhancing the well-being and development of children and their families across the region. Through personalized support, resource connections, and community engagement, the Family Support Specialist works to strengthen the early childhood care and education system, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive. The Family Support Specialist reports to the Director of CCR&R. This position is funded by a grant awarded to Southeastern CCR&R by the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness Foundation (OPSRF), with funding set to conclude on December 30, 2025. Similar to other programs under CCR&R that have started as pilot programs and received continued funding after successful implementation, there is potential for continued funding beyond this date, subject to demonstrating success through effective implementation and thorough documentation.
Essential Functions: Resource Connection for Families: •Serve as a liaison between families, childcare professionals and schools, programs/services, and community resources; facilitate connections based on identified needs. •Provide referrals when appropriate to relevant services and resources within the community. •Implement and maintain a follow-up process to ensure that families are receiving the services they need.
Coordination/Collaboration: •Build new and strengthen existing partnerships with local early childhood programs, services, and resources. •Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of local and state early childhood resources, programs, and services. •Coordinate with existing support programs to maximize resources and avoid duplication of effort. •Build and maintain strong partnerships with local organizations, childcare professionals, schools, healthcare providers, and community resources to expand the network of available resources for families. •Develop ongoing community engagement strategies to maintain program visibility and relevance.
Family Education and Empowerment: •Collaborate with community partners to organize training sessions and events that empower families with knowledge and skills. •Develop and implement outreach strategies to engage families and promote awareness of available services, resources, and early childhood opportunities. •Advocate for the needs of families at the community and state level, working to eliminate barriers to accessing early childhood services and resources. •Elevate family voice and lived experience to improve early childhood programs and services, advocacy efforts, representation, and inclusion.
Evaluation and Continuous Quality Improvement: •Provide regular reports to the CCR&R Director, outlining achievements, challenges, and areas for improvement. •Document success stories and case studies to showcase the impact of the program. •Participate in professional development opportunities relevant to the position.
ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES (FUNCTIONS, DUTIES)Attendance and Dependability: The employee can be depended upon to report to the assigned duty station at the scheduled time. Employee can be depended upon to complete work in a timely, accurate, and thorough manner and is conscientious, about assignments.
1.Communication and Contact: The employee communicates effectively and professionally both verbally and in writing with superiors, colleagues, and individuals inside and outside of the University.
2.Relationships with Others: The employee works effectively and relates well with others including superiors, colleagues, and individuals inside and outside the University. The employee exhibits a professional manner in dealing with others and works to maintain constructive working environment.
3.Safety: Employee works safely, attends safety training offered/required, and follows appropriate safety rules and regulations. In relation to level of NIMs training completed, participates in incident management preparation, and performs incident duties as assigned.
4.Physical Abilities: The employee will continuously use finger dexterity as well as hand dexterity to take notes, use a computer keyboard, and telephone. May need to remain seated for long periods of time, have the ability to perform repetitive motions and reach for objects. Is frequently required to communicate verbally and hear well enough to detect nuances and receive detailed information
. May be required to grasp objects, push, and pull objects, bend, stand, walk, squat or kneel. Should have the ability to lift and carry 25 pounds. Vision abilities include close vision for data preparation or analysis, expansive reading (paper and computer screen), and driving.
5.Working Conditions: The employee will typically work indoors in a heated and air-conditioned space with a mixture of natural, incandescent, and florescent light. When traveling, employee could spend up to eight hours in a vehicle per day, and some low to moderate noise levels can be expected when working on-site at childcare facilities.
MINIMUM EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED - Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology, family studies, child development, or a related field.
- Computer skills and proficiency in using software for case management, data entry, and communication.
- Ability to document interactions and maintain accurate records in compliance with program requirements.
- Valid driver's license, as the role will involve traveling to meet with community programs, families, and attend community events.
- Flexibility to work evenings and weekends to accommodate family schedules and community events.
- Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, to effectively interact with families, colleagues, and community partners.
- Organizational and time-management skills to handle multiple cases and tasks efficiently.
PREFERRED:
- Experience working with families and children, preferably in early childhood settings, social services, or community outreach programs.
- Familiarity with community resources and services available to families, including health, education, and social services.
- Knowledge about Oklahoma early childhood programs and services.
- Strong facilitation and presentation skills.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: - Occasional lifting up to 25 lbs., bending, and kneeling throughout the day.
- Prolonged standing, sitting, and walking.
Founded in 1909 as a teachers' college, Southeastern Oklahoma State University continues the strong tradition of producing outstanding educators for southeast Oklahoma and north Texas. Student enrollment is approximately 5,500 students and the campus is situated in rural Oklahoma. The main campus located in Durant, Oklahoma, which is 90 miles north of Dallas, Texas, and 150 miles southeast of Oklahoma City. The community is close to Lake Texoma and the Choctaw Casino Resort. Southeastern Oklahoma State University continues to be among the nation's most affordable universities according to the U. S. News & World Report's America's Best colleges. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. The preferred start date is November 15, 2024. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until filled. Southeastern offers a comprehensive benefits package including university paid health, vision, life insurance, long term disability, retirement contributions to Oklahoma Teachers Retirement System, as well as a tuition waiver for employees and spouse/dependents who wish to enroll at Southeastern. Southeastern offers 24 paid holidays per fiscal year and has a generous leave package including annual/vacation leave, sick leave, personal leave, and birthday leave. In addition to the SE paid benefits, there are many voluntary products available to employees such as 403(b), Health Savings Account, Flexible Spending Account, dental, short term disability, dependent life insurance and a variety of ancillary benefits. Employment is contingent upon the results of a national criminal and sex offender background check. Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. SE participates in E-Verify. SE is an AA/EEO employer committed to multicultural diversity.
Notice to applicants: If selected, official transcripts from each degree-granting institution will be required upon date of hire. It is Southeastern Oklahoma State University's policy that all newly hired employees must provide an original social security card during the hiring process.Failure to provide an original social security card will delay the hiring process and ability to begin employment.