ERSEA Coordinator

SUMMARY:

Educare Lincoln is a collaborative partnership between the Lincoln Public Schools (LPS), University of Nebraska – Lincoln (UNL), Early Head Start (EHS), and the Buffett Early Childhood Fund. The mission of Educare Lincoln is to help young children thrive socially, emotionally, and academically through high-quality early childhood education, and in partnership with their families and the community. The EHS program at Educare Lincoln promotes school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children ages 6 weeks to 3 years through the provision of evidence-based education, health, nutritional, social, and other services to enrolled children and their families.

The ERSEA (Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, Attendance) Coordinator is responsible for the oversight of the program procedures for eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance to ensure compliance with federal regulations. The ERSEA Coordinator works collaboratively across multiple departments to ensure that Educare Lincoln finds and provides services to the children and families with the greatest need.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND KEY TASKS:

• Review community assessment to ensure that the program design is meeting the needs of the community.
• Develop recruitment services that use data to measure and manage outreach efforts.
• Review all applications to ensure all required information has been collected.
• Determine eligibility of all children/families by reviewing all applications prior to a child's placement on the wait list.
• Maintain up-to-date applications on the ChildPlus Wait List.
• Maintain at all times an adequate and up-to-date pool of children on a wait list, which is prioritized according to the selection criteria; ensure that any vacant positions do not exceed 30 days.
• Monitor the selection of children as enrollment opportunities occur to ensure the timely placement of children.
• Develop and oversee the recruitment plan, according to program guidelines.
• Monitor children's attendance and analyze and address any potential barriers to regular attendance in a timely manner.
• Provide guidance and training to key staff, the governing board, and the Policy Council regarding ERSEA guidelines to ensure policies are followed.
• Prepare and distribute timely reports and tracking regarding ERSEA updates and participate in yearly self-assessment and PIR process.
• Work cooperatively with community agencies as necessary.
• Ensure the confidentiality of all ERSEA records and data.
• Stay informed and up-to-date with any ERSEA policies and procedure updates put forth from the Office of Head Start.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associate’s degree in Social Work, Education, or related field requires; bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Three or more years of experience working with an Early Childhood program required.
• Bilingual skills (English/Spanish) preferred.
• Must be able to pass a background check that meets compliance standards.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS / ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Familiarity with and understanding of Head Start Program Performance Standards.
• Knowledge and experience in data collection and information processes and systems.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Excellent problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of community resources with a capacity to develop community cooperation to ensure that families receive comprehensive services.
• Compliance with all confidentiality regulations as required.
• Ability to effectively communicate with others, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish supportive relationships with children and families from diverse backgrounds.
• Ethical and professional approach to performing work duties.
• Supportive of an effective work environment.
• Advanced computer literacy in Microsoft Office products, including database management, spreadsheet, and word processing.
• Ability to work within an interdisciplinary team as a cooperative and supportive team member.
• Ability to lift, carry, and move center/classroom equipment and supplies.