The Academy

Family Services Basics

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  • Term Available: Fall
  • PD Hours: 5
  • On-Demand
  • Online

This course was created specifically for new family services staff to prepare them for the Family Services Certification. This course introduces the many responsibilities of a family services staff, as well as the tools that are needed to successfully execute those responsibilities. The activities in this course will provide the foundation for developing the Family Services Certification portfolio.

This course is preparation for the Family Services Certification, which meets the requirement.

Course information:

  • Start Date: Pre-registration is open! The course will be available on-demand starting Oct 1, 2023.
  • Course Level: Beginner
  • Completion Timeline/Duration: Eight hours

Module Topics:

  • Family Services Advocates and the PFCE Framework
  • Head Start Program Performance Standards and Family Services
  • How Family Advocates Engage With Families
  • Helping Families Reach Their Goals
  • Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance
  • Health and Family Services
  • Family Services: Business as Usual
  • Avoiding Burnout

Course includes:

  • 5 Hours of Course Material
  • Online, Self-Paced Content
  • 3 Months of Access to Course
  • Video Content
  • Discussion Forums
  • Digital Badge
  • Certificate of Completion with PD Hours
  • 24/7 Access to Transcript

Head Start Alignment:

This course supports programs in meeting the 1302.91 Staff qualifications and competency requirements of the Head Start Program Performance Standards, in which “A program must ensure staff who work directly with families on the family partnership process hired after November 7, 2016, have within eighteen months of hire, at a minimum, a credential or certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling or a related field.”

  • Registration Rates

    • Member Rate:

      $90

    • Regular Rate:

      $195

    ENROLL NOW

Kisha is the vice president of community impact at the Maryland Food Bank and manager of effective practice at The National Head Start Association. In 2005, she began her journey working as an early childhood teacher and in 2007 she discovered her love for Head Start. McCray has spent years advocating for early childhood education and early intervention services through working for Early Head Start, Head Start, and other agencies that support pregnant mothers and the birth through five population and their families. Within the last few years she has completed Head Start University’s Program Design and Management Credential, Yale School of Management Women’s Leadership Program and UCLA’s New Director Mentor program.

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