Family Advocate

Family Advocate

The Family Advocate is responsible for carrying out the Parent, Family, & Community Engagement (PFCE) component of the program in connection with the partner's School Readiness Goals (SGR), & areas of Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, & Attendance (ERSEA) as per the Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) to ensure high quality service delivery in accordance with local, state, & federal regulations.

Field work is required along with meeting families/planning/record keeping/training. For the start-up phase for 2 years this will be an evolving position. Interim roles and responsibilities will be adjusted and this position requires an individual to be flexible. Job responsibilities will be revisited once all center-based sites are up and running.

The Family Advocate shall be responsible for:

• Identifying, recruiting and enrolling prospective families through outreach and in accordance with Eligibility regulations.
• Support the center director with maintaining 97% of enrollment at all times.
• Family Partnerships:
  Manage a caseload of families including but not limited to: developing and maintaining strength- based relationships with families. Collaborate with families to establish and achieve family goals. Identify resources in the community and track progress in achieving family goals (Family Partnership Agreements)
• Community Partnerships:
  Provide families with appropriate referrals and follow up with families and service providers on referrals
• Record Keeping:
  Enter child and family information into the approved child tracking system database (COPA systems). Assist with collecting child health medicals and dentals. Maintain and provide data for the annual Program Information Report (PIR). Record, monitor and follow up on referrals for support services and ensure that all documentation is current in the child's file to ensure compliance with Head Start Performance Standards/Head Start Act 2007
• Governance:
  Encourage families to participate in Program Governance Meetings
• Service Coordination:
  Maintain constant contact with partner providers in order to integrate family partnership goals with classroom efforts.
• Assist in the planning & facilitation of parent involvement activities & events
• Participate in home visits when necessary in regards to any follow-ups, attendance or routine visits
• Effectively communicate with children, families, staff, management, and community partners
• Ability to comprehend and implement the Head Start Performance Standards and policies of Grand St. Settlement Early Childhood Program
• Provide translations in verbal and written form as needed for parents/guardians and program needs
• Assist the parents with the application and transition into 3K and Pre-K via DOE