Family Services Health and Disabilities Implementation and Compliance Specialist - Upbring

About Us

At Upbring, we are servants on a mission to break the cycle of child abuse. We are warriors, brave as the thousands of Texas Children and families we serve. We stand up for those who cannot speak for themselves. We are a family who values innovation, empathy, patience, understanding and trustworthiness.

About Our Headstart Centers

Upbring Head Start Preschool provides a safe, inclusive place to learn, grow and thrive. The families receive support and services to complement the child’s education as the kindergarten transition nears.

What Implementaion and Compliance Specialist's Do

The Implementation and Compliance Specialist (ICS) will travel extensively to program sites to assess newly awarded grant areas, establish ongoing quality assurance monitoring systems as it relates to education files, licensing requirements, referral systems, social services health requirements, and ERSEA programs; evaluate surrounding demographics, establish partnerships with former grantees, and review inherited family files as needed. Geography of this position is flexible as the position will require extensive travel to programs across the counties as needed. This position reports to the Assistant Superintendent of Family Services, Health, and Disabilities and is a member of the leadership team.

Our Upbring staff members are servant-leaders in the pursuit of breaking the cycle of child abuse and empowering others to do the same through example while embodying our core values: We are Warriors. We are Servants. We are Family. 

We Are Warriors | We Set the Standards for Child Education

Work Standards 

• Develops, organizes, and implements ongoing monitoring and quality assurance systems pertaining to programmatic, financial compliance, and quality with Head Start regulations
• Ensure compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, Licensing Regulations, and agency procedures
• Retrieve and review files of Head Start- eligible families and children from the previous grantee to ensure eligibility requirements are met during the transition process
• Receive and verify incoming family services and health inventory from previous grantee
• Offer programmatic recommendations to help maintain full enrollment of new grantee areas
• Organizes and leads the ongoing and internal self-assessment process, continuous quality improvement planning meetings and program data review
• Fulfill role as mandated reporter as stated in Child Abuse and Neglect Policy
• Travel to programs across counties as needed
• Participate in staff meetings, conferences, training sessions and workshops as assigned
• Maintain confidentiality regarding staff and family information
• Demonstrate commitment to mission, values, and policies in the performance of daily duties
• Staff must not use/impose corporal punishment or other forms of child maltreatment as a method to discipline children
• Comply with the company code of conduct and other applicable regulations and requirements, including Licensing Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS), Upbring policies, and procedures, Child Care Minimum Standards, and other federal, state, and local regulatory requirements
• Always ensure the health and safety of each child in care, and support the overall well-being of children
• Other projects and duties as assigned

Communication

• Communicate with leadership team on programmatic status and any concerns regarding family services, health, and disabilities
• Reviews program data provided through monthly reports and assessment systems to identify patterns and trends that inform continuous quality improvement Develop new data gathering instruments and conduct evaluation of existing tools for measurement and assessment
• Ensures on-going monitoring, tracking, follow-up, and analysis of enrollment data; produces regular reports for management meetings and/or on an as needed basis; maintains systems, databases, files, etc. ensuring security of data
• Immediately communicate with supervisor all concerns related to child health and safety 

Fiscal Management

• Develops, organizes, implements ongoing monitoring, and quality assurance systems pertaining to programmatic and financial compliance and quality with Head Start regulations. This includes a system of reporting for non-compliance finding
• Ensures fiscal management by monitoring educational expenditures during start up

We Are Servants | We Help Others

Teamwork

• Seek guidance and support from supervisor for mitigating concerns: inclusive but not limited to classroom management, behavior management, child health and safety, child development, and any other concerns requiring intervention
• Work in conjunction with Family Services, Health, and Disabilities Assistant Superintendent and Director of Family Services to develop operational procedures, implement strategic initiatives and complete projects that impact the program goals and objectives
• Develop a program compliance calendar, template, and other systems in partnership with Assistant Superintendent and Director of Family Services that tracks licensing and Head Start regulations
• Work in conjunction with Compliance Team to conduct annual self-assessment utilizing the most recent Focus Area 1 and 2 Monitoring Protocol
• Work with the Director of Family Services to provide oversight for processing applications and ensuring accuracy and timeliness; ensures that verification of income and eligibility qualifications of children and families are all met, and ensures applications are complete and data is accurately entered into the record keeping database
• Work in conjunction with Compliance Team and Leadership Team to complete program’s annual Community Assessment, Self-Assessment, and Annual Reviews as necessary
• Actively participate in collaborative and cooperative efforts and activities with the Head Start leadership team

We Are Family | We Are Passionate & Compassionate

Building Relationships

• Work closely with the Assistant Superintendents and other Head Start leaders and staff to maintain focus on family engagement, health, and nutrition with program goals and objectives that meet the needs of the students and families
• Work as part of the team and always show professionalism by modeling and demonstrating a positive attitude and working relationships, while maintaining strong ethical boundaries
• Work as a team player and exhibit professional behavior and a positive attitude with both internal and external clients that reflects positively on the Agency and is consistent with Agency policies and practices
• Actively participate in exhibiting cultural awareness and sensitivity when interacting with children, parent(s)/guardian(s), staff, and the community

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services, or related field
• 3 years’ experience in the family and community engagement field, including experience in program management, and providing technical assistance
• Experience working with Head Start regulations, State and Federal related Child Development Programs and State licensing
• Current Texas Driver’s License and auto insurance in good standing
• Ability to travel up to 75% of the time.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Social Work, Human Services, or related field
• 5 years ‘of increasingly responsible experience performing work in ERSEA, alongside the minimum qualifications listed above.
• Bilingual Spanish English based on service population

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Strong analytical skills to quickly assess situations, identify trends, develop solutions, and apply critical assessments to the larger context
• Ability to quickly learn and interpret government procedures and regulations
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work as part of a team, communicate effectively both orally and in writing, receive and provide feedback and manage dynamic interchanges in meetings
• Ability to collaborate with multiple stakeholders to successfully implement program plans
• Must pass physical examination, background check and fingerprinting screen.
• Ability and willingness to travel
• Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, TEAMS, Google, and other related programs

Perks at Upbring

• Competitive PTO & paid holidays 
• Health, dental, vision insurance & more! 
• 403(b) Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• Discounted Gym Memberships 

Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. Belonging 

We are a diverse and inclusive Organization that recognizes our strength is in the efforts of our selfless warriors. Honoring and recognizing the value and dignity of all individuals is the cornerstone of our agency. The more diverse the individuals, thought processes and lived experiences, the greater the opportunity is to combine unique perspectives to make a greater impact. Our trust, respect, and appreciation for one another is demonstrated through our communication, celebration of progress and relentless effort to be at our best TO FULLFILL OUR MISSION OF BREAKING THE CYCLE OF CHILD ABUSE.

Upbring is an Equal Employment Opportunity/AA Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status.