Family Advocate Job Opening

JOB TITLE: Family Advocate

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: FCP Manager

GENERAL SUMMARY:

This position supports and assists families as they identify and meet their own goals through a family-centered case management model for developing and carrying out the program Family Partnership Agreements including responsibility for child files, enrollment/applications, etc. This position also assists with the completion of the child health requirements and other required screenings and assessments. This position supports the larger system of social services coordinated by Head Start/Early Head Start, thereby supporting the goals of the program. The position may involve reassignment of caseloads and/or center location as deemed necessary for program operations.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. EXAMPLES OF SPECIFIC DUTIES- ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

A. Program Development and Planning

• Coordinates with center staff to integrate family partnership goals with classroom efforts and to ensure integrated child and family curriculum.
• Participates in team management functions of planning, implementing and evaluating Family and Community Partnership goals and objectives.
• Participates in in-service, workshops, conferences and college courses to enhance skills.

B. Program Implementation

• Recruits prospective families and assists with enrollment process.
• Conducts home visits to facilitate family plans, assists families in achieving identified goals and follow-up on referrals. Acts as a case manager and works cooperatively with local agencies to assist families to linkup with services in the local community.
• Assists with the completion of the child health screening, other required screenings and assessments and is familiar with referral requirements.
• Conducts and documents follow-up on all referrals.
• While respecting family confidentiality, regularly shares information with teachers to ensure coordinated services that meet the needs of individual children and families.
• Provides health, safety and family literacy activities to parents, as appropriate.
• Coordinates with center staff to promote parent involvement in the program as a classroom visitor, volunteer, employee, and/or participant in family events.
• Promotes effective community support for families by coordination and advocacy for services with community agencies.
• Develops a working knowledge of community resources.At least annually, visits with major agencies for service delivery updates and Community Resource Guide updates.
• Refers families for emergency or crisis assistance.
• Participates in chart audits and child profile development.
• Coordinates or refers families to opportunities for continuing education, employment training and other employment services through formal or informal networking in the community.
• Assists other program staff to offer (either directly or through referral to local entities) to parents of participating children the following:
  • training in basic child development;
  • assistance in developing communication skills;
  • opportunities to share experiences with other parents;
  • regular in-home visitation; and
  • any other activity designed to help parents become full partners in the education of their children.
• Provides with respect to each participating family, a family needs assessment that includes consultation with such parents about the benefits of parent involvement and about the activities in which parents may choose to participate.
• Performs community outreach to encourage individuals previously unaffiliated with Head Start/Early Head Start program to participate in its Head Start/Early Head Start program as volunteers.
• Informs custodial parents in single-parent families that participate in programs, activities or services about the availability of child support services for purposes of establishing paternity and acquiring child support and refers eligible parents to child support offices of State and local governments.
• Arranges for education and other appropriate intervention including opportunities for families to participate in counseling or to receive information on mental health, substance abuse, child abuse and neglect and domestic violence.
• Attends parent/teacher conferences, as requested.
• Assists teaching staff with Parent Committee meetings, Family Nights, socializations and other parent activities.
• Assists families in making the transition into and out of the Early Head Start/Head Start Program.
• Ensure an appropriate written Transition Plan for all children, six months before their third birthday; provide parents with training and information. Establish communication to facilitate and coordinate the transition.
• Provides to parents of limited English proficient children outreach and information in a language that the parents can understand.

C. Record keeping

• Documents efforts to assist families in identifying their strengths, needs and sufficiency goals. Performs data entry functions as necessary to keep files up-to-date.Uses HSFIS/Child Plus or other database software.
• Tracks family partnership efforts and outcomes. Documents efforts to support parents in establishing strong community ties, such as finding a “medical home.”
• Records, monitors and follows up on referrals for support services for reporting requirements.
• Submits reports as needed and requested, such as monthly summary tracking reports, etc. Follows up with families to determine whether the kind, quality and timeliness of the services received through referral met the family’s expectations and circumstances.
• Maintains and provides data for the annual Program Information Report (PIR).

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

$10.26 HS/GED $11.29 Family Credential $12.31 AA Degree $13.34 BA Degree

Minimum requirement is a credential or certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling or related field within eighteen months of hire. An AA or higher in Social Work or Human Services or related human services field is preferred.