Lead Family Eligibility & Needs Specialist

About The Role

The Lead Family Eligibility & Needs Specialist (FENS) works with families throughout the enrollment process for childcare programs, from initial inquiry through onboarding and recertification, to maintain optimal enrollment levels. Ensures all processes comply with applicable CDE/CDSS state regulations, including California Community Care Licensing (CCL) requirements. This role engages prospective families, and partners with center leadership to align enrollment with classroom capacity and licensing requirements. Provides guidance and support to the Family Eligibility & Needs Specialists.

What You’ll Be Doing 

• Maintain full enrollment in own areas of responsibility.
• Provide technical assistance and guidance to FENS; resolve eligibility and need issues.
• Serve as backup to the FENS.
• Maintain a waitlist, place according to licensing ratios, program needs, and to optimize capacity.
• Build relationships with families.
• Explain/answer questions about facility, curriculum, schedules, tuition, and policies.
• Assist families with subsidy or financial aid documentation.
• Assist in community outreach efforts to promote enrollment and brand awareness.
• Oversee full eligibility lifecycle: inquiries, application, enrollment, onboarding, recertification in areas or responsibility.
• Support families through the enrollment, registration, onboarding and recertification process.
• Enroll families in compliance with contract state and federal regulations.
• Support the smooth classroom transitions for new children.
• Maintain accurate records in the enrollment data system.
• Prepare enrollment and capacity reports; forecast enrollment needs and identify gaps.
• Prepare eligibility files for contract monitoring review, internal audits, and audits by funders.
• Provide input to Manager of Enrollment on enrollment policies, procedures, and standard operating procedures.
• Attend training as necessary including, but not limited to contact with state consultants, conferences and seminars.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

 Preferred qualifications

• Associate Degree in Human Services, Social Work, Public Administration, Early Childhood Education, or Business Administration required; B.A. or B.S. degree preferred.
• Equivalent experience may be substituted for education at a rate of two (2) years of relevant work experience for each year of required education.
• Experience working with families in a childcare or school environment desired.
• Knowledge of CDE/CDSS childcare and development state and federal regulations desired.
• Able to provide leadership, work independently, and set own goals in a professional manner.
• Solid organizational and time management skills; ability to multi-task.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; organizational and time management skills.
• Familiarity with Google Suite and Microsoft Office and enrollment systems or CRMs desired.
• Able to work Kidango’s core work hours as well as a flexible schedule including some evenings and weekends as needed.
• Bilingual in Spanish desired.