FACE Coordinator in East Palo Alto, California at Peninsula Family Service

About Peninsula Family Service

Peninsula Family Service (PFS) is a nonprofit organization that provides children, families, and older adults with the support and tools they need to realize their full potential. As one of the largest providers of infant, toddler, and preschool programs in the region, PFS also delivers services in financial empowerment, employment, and older adult support — ensuring that people at every stage of life have access to opportunities to thrive. Established in 1950, PFS has been a trusted community partner for over 75 years, dedicated to fostering stability, resilience, and well-being for the individuals and families it serves.

At PFS, our values guide how we serve our community and work together as a team. We expect every team member to demonstrate Ownership, Proactive Engagement, and a commitment to Continuous Learning and Adaptability. These values are grounded in a shared dedication to community, service, and collaborative teamwork.

Job Summary

The Family Advocacy and Community Engagement (FACE) Coordinator is responsible for serving children and families enrolled in Head Start and Early Head Start programs. The FACE Coordinator assists in planning and implementing family engagement activities, supports families in meeting basic needs, and partners with families to set and achieve goals for personal and family growth. This position maintains an open, friendly, and professional relationship with all staff and families and participates in continuous quality improvement activities that strengthen the program. Strong candidates will recognize each family's risk and protective factors, respect the diverse cultures and values of each family, and maintain professional roles and boundaries in all interactions.

REPORTS TO: Family Advocacy and Community Engagement Manager
JOB CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt
JOB TYPE: Full-Time

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Family Engagement and Case Management

• Serve as a consistent, trusted point of contact for assigned families throughout their enrollment in the program.
• Provide information, referral, and coordination to link families with appropriate childcare, health, mental health, and family support resources.
• In partnership with families, gather information on medical, social, and environmental factors contributing to family needs and goals.
• Support families in identifying strengths, setting goals, and developing family partnership agreements in alignment with Head Start Performance Standards.
• Assist families in planning and implementing smooth transitions between program options, including EHS-to-HS, HS-to-Kindergarten, CBO PreK-to-Kindergarten, and TK-to-Kindergarten.
• Actively encourage parent involvement in the program and serve as a staff liaison to the Parent Committee and Policy Council.
• Conduct home visits as required by program standards and family need.
• Collaborate with state and community partners to enhance family services and support recruitment efforts.
• Plan and support special recruitment events and community outreach activities.
• Attend community events, partner sites, and resource fairs to recruit eligible families and distribute program information.

Resource and Referral

• Assist the FACE Manager with the planning, implementation, and organization of the Child Development Resource and Referral program.
• Input, update, and maintain data entry and collection through the Resource and Referral software database.
• Organize and conduct community outreach to educate families and partners on the child development benefits of quality care.
• Maintain a partnership with Community Care Licensing to communicate provider needs and licensing status and ensure accurate referrals in the database.
• Develop and maintain Resource and Referral policies for participation to maximize family access to quality childcare services.
• Provide training and technical assistance to large and small groups on Resource and Referral services, quality care settings, child development, and licensing compliance.
• Assist in developing and disseminating a quarterly newsletter and database update requests to participating childcare providers.
• Partner with community agencies to maintain a current, comprehensive list of resources for staff, families, and childcare providers.
• Compile data for reporting Resource and Referral activities and developing capacity-building opportunities for childcare providers.

Administrative

• Maintain and update family files, including recertification, food program rosters, immunizations, and parent referrals; ensure all information meets state eligibility requirements.
• Maintain accurate and timely data entry in Child Plus and other required databases.
• Perform record-keeping in an objective and timely manner and regularly review data progress reports to ensure accuracy and deadlines are met.
• Ensure confidentiality of all family records at all times.
• Attend team meetings on and off-site regularly.
• Travel to offsite locations regularly within PFS's service area.
• Participate in 21 hours of professional development and annual required training.

QUALIFICATIONS Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Child Development, Human Services, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• Experience working with children ages birth to five in a Head Start, Early Head Start, or comparable early childhood program.
• Experience working with low-income families in an urban setting.
• Demonstrated ability to work with community service agencies, complete assessments, and conduct home visits.
• Preferred experience in child development or a related service area.

Skills

• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Strong teamwork, interpersonal communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to provide early childhood training and coaching to small and large groups.
• Knowledge of current research trends in early childhood.
• Demonstrated passion for working with families from diverse, multicultural, and at-risk backgrounds.
• Ability to build relationships with families through learning and collaboration.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and make decisions in accordance with organizational policies and administrative guidelines.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office; ability to learn and use child development databases including Child Plus and NoHo.
• Capable of working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Punctuality and consistent attendance are requirements of this position.
• Ability to work flexible workdays and workweeks as needed.
• Demonstrate honesty, integrity, and professionalism at all times.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Ability to travel regularly throughout PFS's service area, including driving to partner sites, community events, and off-site meetings.
• Demonstrated mental and physical ability and stamina for meeting the essential duties of this position.
• Ability to attend out-of-town meetings and conferences as required.
• Ability to sit, stand, and move between office and field settings throughout the workday.

Other Requirements

• Prior to first day of employment, must have fingerprint clearance and maintain clearance throughout employment.
• Submit and maintain evidence of a current negative Tuberculin test and health report prior to hire.
• Must meet Covid immunization requirements.
• Valid California driver's license and reliable transportation required.
• Verification to legally work in the US, updated as required.

Peninsula Family Service's VALUES are expected of every staff member. All of our work is based on our commitment to Ownership, Proactive Engagement, and Continuous Learning and Adaptability, anchored in Community Pillar, Participant-Focused service, and Workforce-Centered collaboration.