Temporary Family Outreach Worker (FOW)

Description

Exempt:  No      

SALARY LEVEL: $21.00 per hour

DEPARTMENT: Early Childhood Education                           

LOCATION: Assigned Head Start Centers

SUPERVISOR: Case Manager Supervisor    

HOURS:  FT M-F 40 hours per week 

Approval Date:  07/2025  Approved by:  HR Director and Union

AGENCY BACKGROUND:  The objective of Sonoma Community Action Network (Sonoma CAN) is to partner with low-income families and individuals to help them achieve economic and social empowerment, build community, and advocate for social and economic justice.  Sonoma CAN operates a wide variety of programs benefiting low-income Sonoma County residents.

Our Mission: Sonoma CAN is a catalyst for equitable transformation, aligning partners and resources to implement values-based, data-driven, community-led solutions that help families reach their full potential.

Our Vision: We see our Sonoma County transformed into an empowered community of thriving families where every child is raised with joy, justice, and connection.

Our Promise: Sonoma CAN changes people’s lives, embodies the spirit of hope, improves communities, and makes America a better place to live. We care about the entire community, and we are dedicated to helping people help themselves and each other.

Working at SonomaCAN

At Sonoma Community Action Network (SonomaCAN), we believe that a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives strengthen our team and help us better serve our community. We are committed to fair hiring practices and a workplace where employees are treated with respect and have the opportunity to grow professionally.

We make employment decisions based on qualifications, merit, and organizational needs. Our hiring process complies with all federal, state, and local laws related to equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and encourage individuals who meet the qualifications to apply.

 TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE: The salary for this position is $21.00 per hour. You will receive the CA Minimum requireed sick time.

SUMMARY OF POSITION:  

This is a temporary position with an estimated timeline of 4-5 months. Extensions may or may not be offered, and any extensions will be promptly communicated to selected candidate.

Under the direction of the Case Manager Supervisor and in partnership with the Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance (ERSEA) and Health and Family Services, implement the Family Service and Parent/Family engagement goals and objectives; recruit to ensure full enrollment in the program at all times, maintain compliance to the Head Start Performance Standards, Service Area Written Plans, Procedures, and Policies. Support teachers in the classroom with children. Carry out responsibilities in accordance with the Agency’s policies and applicable federal and state laws.  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• The health, safety, and supervision of children in the program is essential; therefore, every employee is responsible for the health, safety, and supervision of children while they are present at the center
• Recruitment and enrollment activities as assigned
  • Early Childhood Education(ECE) applications
  • Intakes
  • Child Returning Packets
• Daily absence follow-up and documentation (Child Plus) in partnership with the lead teacher 
• Complete and maintain documents (paper and electronic) for enrolling children
• Intermediate computer skills with Microsoft Office Programs (Word, Excel, and Outlook), Google suite, and data entry experience. 
• Case notes and data entry in Child Plus and empowOR databases.
• Enters and maintains client information and case notes  in internal and external data systems as required, including empowOR, Child Plus, Resource Connection Network and other supporting or funder required data systems.
• Supports case management data and correct coding for purposes of CalAim billing. 
• Maintain current and accurate records as required by the program and ensure their confidentiality.
• Complete the Family Partnership Agreement and Family Need Assessment according to the Family Services Timeline 
• Work in partnership with families, assessing their strengths, interests, and needs.  Use (Strength, Need Interest Parent) SNIP Survey data to inform the next steps and set goals in partnership with families.
• Ensure that parents know of current community resources, including resources available in Sonoma Community Action Network (SonomaCAN) and Head Start; refer parents to appropriate agencies for assistance, and provide follow-up to assess effectiveness and document in Child Plus
• Provide interpretation for non-Spanish or non-English speakers as needed
• Maintain an ongoing awareness of center activities and participate as needed
• Required to support on the floor with children as needed and on the schedule determined with the Case Manager Supervisor 
• Work in partnership with service area managers and center staff to better assess the needs of the children and families to ensure quality services, health follow-up, support in education goals, and program guidance for children and families as needed.
• Conduct a minimum of two home visits and two parent-teacher conferences per program year in partnership with the lead teachers of each enrolled family. The first home visit must be done in partnership with the child’s teacher
• Serve as a resource within the Head Start program for other staff members and service areas
• Act as a liaison between Head Start, CalAim, CalCAPA, (General Child Care and Development) CCTR, the family, and the community as appropriate
• Participates in necessary training, workshops, and meetings as scheduled
• Participate in the team-building process within the program by using established  communication channels in a constructive and productive manner that enhances the team   effort while maintaining confidentiality
• Our agency provides services all over Sonoma County.  Must be willing to accept an assignment anywhere in the county.
• Other relevant duties, as assigned

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS (Basic to intermediate relates to FOW I and  FOW II)

• Knowledge and use of community resources.
• Working knowledge of the principles and practices of adult learning styles.
• Understanding of the principles of bilingual and multicultural education.
• Basic to intermediate personal computer skills with word processing and email experience.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to culturally diverse groups and persons from low-income families.
• Basic to Intermediate skills in reading, analyzing, and interpreting procedures and governmental regulations. 
• Basic to intermediate ability to write reports and correspondence.  Intermediate ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of parents, children, and staff.   
• Basic to Intermediate ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Basic to Intermediate ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of situations with good judgment

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Highly dependable, takes initiative, has good judgment, and is able to function with minimal supervision
• Actively engage in the growth & development of all children and in building partnerships with families.
• Works effectively in a team environment and actively participates in joint problem-solving; willingly cooperates with colleagues 

Requirements

 REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

FOW I:  

• One year of experience working with families or working with children in a classroom setting.

In Addition to the above:

• Bilingual, Spanish/English required. Upon successful completion of our bilingual test, you will be eligible to receive bilingual pay on top of your determined hourly wage.
• High School diploma or GED or equivalent 
• Valid California Driver's License and a properly insured vehicle for use on the job

Prior to beginning work, one must be able to 

• Pass the Community Care Licensing criminal record clearance,
• Be up to date on immunizations 
• Have a current (within one year) TB clearance 
• Have a current Health Screening Report from your primary physician.
• Have a current California Mandated Reporter Certificate (or complete upon hire)
• Have a current CPR/1st Aid Certification (or complete upon hire)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee occasionally is required to sit at a desk and sometimes use a computer. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.  The employee drives, approximately 15% of the time, to meetings, sites, training, recruitment, and home visits as scheduled throughout the year. The employee spends approximately 50% of the time writing and/or keyboarding. The employee spends approximately 35% of the time in the classroom on the floor. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee works mostly inside and sometimes in outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate and sometimes noisy.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

OTHER DUTIES

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.