Overwhelmingly, people who decide they want to be a part of the Y in Central Maryland tell us they do so because it reflects their values and a conscious decision, they've made about how they choose to live their lives. The happiest and most fulfilled Y associates are those who are motivated to help others and who want to be a part of something larger than themselves. If this speaks to your heart, then we invite you to join our team. Be a part of a charitable, mission-driven organization that works for individual and community well-being for all, for a better us.
At the Y in Central Maryland, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being and professional growth. Enjoy flexible schedules, competitive pay, and generous paid time off, alongside medical, dental and vision benefits, as well as dependent care FSA. We offer a generous employer contribution to the Y retirement fund, and opportunities for career advancement. Our commitment to fostering a positive work environment means you'll have access to training and development programs that align with our mission to empower individuals and strengthen communities. Join us and bring your passion to a fulfilling career where you can truly make a difference!
POSITION SUMMARY:This position serves as the Associate Executive Director (AED), Child and Family Services, for the Head Start and Early Head Start. The AED, CFS, is responsible for the overall coordination and delivery of family services, resulting in improved child and family outcomes. Provides supervision to Family Services Managers, Family Services Advocates, Home Visitors, and the Early Intervention Specialist to ensure families have access to services and resources responsive to their needs.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:Planning- Complete annual service plan for area of responsibility.
- Implement a system of continuous monitoring and evaluation of activities.
Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, Attendance (ERSEA)- Ensure the overall eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance process.
- Coordinate recruiting and enrollment of ten percent (10%) of children with disabilities into the program with Part C community agencies and LEA.
- Monitor and sustain funded enrollment and waiting lists and fill vacancies as needed.
- Analyze causes of absenteeism continuously to prevent daily attendance from falling below 85%.
- Develop a system to manage eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance, meeting the needs of eligible families and responding to community assessment.
Supports the Early Intervention Specialist in: - Establish policies and procedures for implementing the Head Start Disabilities/Mental Health services into the program with parents and associates.
- Establish and utilize a referral process for any suspected disability/mental health concerns, including a tracking system for follow-up.
- Ensure individualized services are effectively provided to children with diagnosed or suspected disabilities and/or mental health concerns.
- Collaborate with the supervisors, service area coordinators, and teachers to modify activities, remove barriers, and support children with disabilities/mental health concerns in the full range of program activities.
- Provide associates with the information, guidance, and resources needed to help children and families meet IDEA and ADA individualized goals and objectives.
- Upon parental approval, ensure attendance of designated Head Start associates at the SST/IEP/IFSP process.
- Work closely with designated associates during the assessment process and follow up to ensure the special needs of children, including health, nutrition, mental health, and education, are met.
- Ensure the program maintains fiscal support for children with special needs consistent with IDEA.
- Compile current resources and information about disabilities/mental health services for families and associates.
Ongoing Monitoring and Recordkeeping- Coordinates with leadership team and other center staff to promote parent involvement in the program as a classroom visitor, volunteer, associate, and/or participate in family events.
- Tracks disabilities, transition efforts, and outcomes individually and center-wide, analyzes data, and makes program development recommendations to the leadership team.
- Ensures compliance with Head Start program standards for children with disabilities/mental health, health, and transition.
- Monitors budget for Disabilities/Mental Health service area
- Records, monitors, and follows up on referrals for support services for reporting requirements.
- Submits reports as needed and requested, such as monthly summary tracking reports, etc.
- Understands, generates, and documents in-kind and other available costs applied toward the non-federal share requirements.
- Attends parent committee and other meetings as requested.
- Maintain filing, tracking, and documentation systems for the disabilities/mental health service area and ensure confidentiality of child and family records
Parent Engagement - Provides parents with information and assistance in understanding and advocating for services and support needed to address their child's special needs.
- Provides "Transitional" services to Head Start families in cooperation with other agencies/providers, including providing referrals of parents and children to other agencies/providers as needed.
- Work with the Administrative Assistant and Director of Family Services to ensure goal development related to the child's disability and the child's behavioral needs are developed by families.
Family & Community Partnerships- Ensures the timely assessment of special education and/or related services needs of children with disabilities in coordination with the Part C agency and/or LEA.
- Develop and implement a strategy that supports a successful transition for children into the Head Start Program or from Head Start into kindergarten or another community program.
- Assists in locating community resources for children with special needs and initiates community partnership agreements.
- Manage and coordinate mental health services provided by consultants.
- Take an active role in community planning and advocacy to improve the delivery of services to children and families.
- Develop community partnerships supported by interagency agreements
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:Communication and Service Coordination- Ensure Family Services Advocates and Home Visitors work cooperatively with local agencies to respond to the needs of the families.
- Ensure Family Services Managers, Family Services Advocates and Home Visitors develop a working knowledge of community resources including visits to major agencies for service delivery updates.
- Share pertinent information with appropriate Leadership Team members to ensure coordinated services meet needs of individual children and families.
- Coordinate program internship and community partnership/collaboration opportunities from outside agencies.
- Monitor Family Services Managers, Advocates and Home Visitors to ensure weekly contact with teaching associates to integrate family partnership goals with classroom efforts, ensure integrated child and family curriculum, and to gain information regarding child performance in the classroom.
- Communicate and plan with other service area Directors and Family Services Managers to ensure ongoing parent engagement activities and initiatives are implemented and executed effectively.
- Assist in the development and implementation of program policies, procedures, and strategic plans.
- Plan with the Family Services Managers to coordinate procedures to ensure the successful start-up and active retention of Parent Committees and Policy Council.
- Collaborate with AEDs (Family & Education) across regions to develop and design programming necessary for an effective Head Start Program.
- Act as a liaison to the Parent Policy Council, ensuring their active involvement in program planning, decision-making, and evaluation.
- Facilitate training for council members to build their leadership capacity.
Recordkeeping, Reporting & Data Outcomes- Develop res to ensure all program-scheduled parent activities are implemented effectively.
- Develop procedures to ensure that family interactions are respectful and culturally sensitive.
- Develop, revise, and update the service area plan for each area of responsibility, as well as administer and implement a continuous monitoring and evaluation system of activities.
- Collaborate on strategies for ongoing monitoring and annual self-assessment for the health, safety, education, and security of children and families.
- Oversee ongoing implementation of the Head Start Program Performance Standards and other local, state, and federal regulations.plans and procedures to ensure Parent Engagement.
- Understand, generate, and document in-kind and other allowable costs for the non-federal share requirement.
- Develop plans and procedures to ensure Family Services Advocates maintain up-to-date information in the database. Ensure all information received is entered in the database within 24 hours.
- Develop plans/procedures to ensure Family Services Advocates record, monitor, and follow up on referral.
- Analyze parent engagement impact, parent participation, family partnership completion and progress, attendance, and outcomes on a center- and program-wide basis.
- Analyze data and make program development recommendations to the leadership team.
Ongoing Monitoring & Continuous Quality Improvement- Provide leadership, guidance, and supervision to Family Service Managers and Early Interventionists to ensure high-quality service delivery.
- Conduct regular performance reviews, provide constructive feedback, and develop professional growth plans for team members.
- Develop and implement training programs to enhance associate skills and ensure compliance with Head Start Performance Standards and organizational goals.
- Develop an effective system and practice for providing comprehensive, ongoing supervision and leadership of Family Services Advocates and EHS Home Visitors.
- Ensure EHS Home Visitors follow the scheduled home visits and socialization activities.
- Develop procedures to ensure effective and efficient ongoing monitoring.
General Duties - Lead the Family Services team in the implementation of comprehensive services that support children and families.
- Participate in staff meetings, conferences, training sessions, and workshops as assigned.
- Serves as a resource person to provide supplemental services to children and families.
- Works as part of the interdisciplinary team to discuss mental health referrals, and the needs of children and families in the program. Maintain confidentiality regarding associate and family information.
- Provide hands-on support in centers as needed.
- Fulfill the role of mandated reporter as stated in the Child Abuse and Neglect Policy.
- Perform any other work-related duties as requested by your supervisor.
- Be present at work to provide consistent service.
- Be a contributory team member in a positive/productive manner.
- Demonstrate commitment to mission, values, and policies when performing daily duties.
QUALIFICATIONS:- Must have experience in securing and individualizing need services for children with disabilities/mental health concerns
- Must obtain a criminal background check.
- Must have a valid driver's license.
- Must have access to reliable transportation.
- Must obtain a copy of your driving record annually and maintain a clean driving record to drive an agency vehicle.
- Basic computer literacy in email, word processing, and internet navigation
- Maintain certification in CPR and First Aid.
Education & Experience- BS in Social Sciences/Human Services, Education, or a related field
- Early Head Start, Head Start experience preferred
- Knowledge of community-based organizations.
Certifications/Required Training- Obtain certification in CPR and First Aid
- Medication Administration
- Knowledge of Head Start Program Performance Standards and Office of Child Care (OCC)regulations
The Y in Central Maryland provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment. Moreover, the Y is firmly committed to celebrating and achieving diversity and inclusion in all we do. We strive to be an anti-racist organization and expect all associates to treat others with respect, kindness and dignity, at all times. Thank you for considering working for the Y in Central Maryland. If being a part of our cause feels right for you, we hope you will join us.
All Y associates agree to abide by The Code of Conduct with Youth that sets clear expectations for associates and volunteers to ensure a safe and respectful environment for young people. It emphasizes treating youth with respect and fairness, avoiding inappropriate physical or verbal interactions, and adhering to established standards of affection. The policy strictly prohibits any form of abuse, bullying, or harassment and mandates the reporting of suspected mistreatment. Additionally, associates and volunteers must complete training on child abuse prevention and comply with legal reporting requirements to safeguard youth.