State Preschool Eligibility Coordinator

Oversees the eligibility determination and enrollment processes for California's State Preschool Programs. Responsible for ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations, leading eligibility staff, and ensuring that families receive timely, accurate support in accessing preschool services. Involves significant collaboration with other departments, policy development, and active engagement with families and providers to support equitable access to early education opportunities.

Starting Rate: $27.88 - 34.85/ Hour

• Oversees the eligibility determination process to ensure all enrolled children meet program criteria. Oversees the coordination of enrollment periods, ensuring fair and timely access to services, and maintain detailed records of all applications and determinations. Manages the determination and verification of eligibility for families seeking preschool services under the California State Preschool Program. Manages the enrollment process, ensuring full enrollment at all times and maintaining accurate records.
• Develops and implements effective recruitment strategies to identify and enroll eligible children and families, coordinates and participates in community outreach activities to promote the program and ensures the selection process is fair, transparent, and in compliance with agency policies.
• Monitors and analyzes attendance data to identify trends and issues, implements strategies to improve and maintain high attendance rates and works with families to address barriers to regular attendance.
• Maintains accurate and up-to-date records in the child management information system. Generates reports and analyzes data to inform decision-making and program improvement. Ensure data integrity and confidentiality in accordance with federal and state regulations.
• Develops and conducts training sessions for staff on policies and procedures. Collaborates with other program staff to ensure a cohesive approach to service delivery.
• Manages workloads to ensure timely processing of applications and communication with families.
• Ensures compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, federal and state regulations, and agency policies, prepares and submits required reports to funding agencies and internal stakeholders, and participates in monitoring visits and audits, providing documentation and support as needed.
• Develops and implements policies and procedures to ensure compliance with federal and state laws, including Title 5 regulations, ensures program adherence to all legal requirements for income verification, documentation, and reporting, conducts regular audits of eligibility files and processes to ensure accuracy and compliance with internal policies and state regulations, and collaborates with internal and external auditors during reviews and respond to findings as necessary.
• Develops and refines policies aimed at improving the efficiency and accessibility of the eligibility determination process, stays informed of legislative changes and policy updates impacting eligibility and enrollment processes for state preschool programs, and collaborates with leadership on program expansion, outreach, and continuous improvement efforts.
• Serves as a liaison between families, preschool providers, and the Department of Education to address concerns or questions related to eligibility, facilitates outreach initiatives aimed at increasing enrollment of eligible children in under-served areas, and ensures communication materials related to eligibility and enrollment are clear, accessible, and available in multiple languages.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in education, public administration, social work, or a related field.  Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in managing eligibility determination, enrollment, or case management within a public education, social services, or community-based program.
• Experience working with preschool or early childhood education programs, particularly those serving low-income families.
• Extensive knowledge of Title 5 regulations, the California Education Code, and other relevant laws governing early childhood education.
• Demonstrated experience managing teams and overseeing compliance in a highly regulated environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and database management systems used for eligibility tracking.
• Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse populations.
• Ability to obtain a CPR certification upon hire.
• Ability to travel; maintain driving record in compliance with Transportation Safety Standards; maintain auto insurance and vehicle registration.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish), particularly in Spanish or another language commonly spoken in California communities. preferred.
• Ability to pass a post-offer physical examination and a TB test.
• Ability to provide proof of required vaccinations or positive titer showing immunity. A signed declination may be acceptable for certain vaccinations.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a criminal record/fingerprint clearance from the Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation per Easterseals Southern California and/or program requirements.
• Ability to travel locally; maintain driving record in compliance with Transportation Safety Standards; maintain auto insurance and vehicle registration.