Family Advocate

Benefits include:
State of TN Health Insurance, State of Tennessee Retirement,

Work Schedule: 8:00 am-4:30 pm, 5 days per week, 45 weeks/75 hours bi-weekly

• Be familiar with all aspects of the Head Start Program, including the Performance Standards, Program Plans, and all Program Policies and Procedures.
• Attend all in-area and out-of-area trainings. Participate in the Social Services Competency Based Training (S.S.C.B.T.) as requested by the Family Services Manager.
• Be responsible for child recruitment, child find for children with disabilities, and canvassing (door-to-door) in the community to enroll low-income families for his/her caseload.
• Make periodic home visits to determine family needs; make and accept referrals; engage parents in a family goal-setting process to help meet their needs.
• Be responsible for enrollment and monitoring of child attendance for the program year in his/her designated area. Submit reports and maintain communication with the Family Services Manager concerning enrollment, attendance, and family needs.
• Maintain current and accurate documentation, data entry, and confidential records for his/her caseload.
• Be responsible for all health, mental health, and dental screenings for Head Start children in his/her designated area, in compliance with written plans. Submit reports and maintain weekly communication with the Health and Nutrition Manager regarding child and family health needs.
• Be responsible for tracking all health follow-up appointments in a timely manner.
• Provide information to staff concerning needs of children with disabilities and attend I.E.P. meetings as needed.
• Provide or arrange transportation for children and families as needed.
• Assist in organizing and coordinating parent trainings under the supervision of the Family Services Manager.
• Assist in preparing materials, supplies, and folders for parent packets, teacher boxes, registration boxes, and parent committee boxes. Keep reports, forms, and Head Start regulations up to date in the parent committee box.
• Attend parent committee meetings, Parent Powered workshops, and parent day trainings in his/her designated area, and facilitate when needed. Be available to facilitate parent committee meetings during various hours (day or night).
• Work closely with classroom staff to encourage parents to volunteer and to promote fatherhood engagement in the Head Start program.
• Be knowledgeable of community resources in the seven-county area to assist families with needs and concerns.
• Be willing to serve on community committees, boards, and groups to enhance services to Head Start children and families.
• Assist the Family Services Manager and Family Engagement Specialist in establishing collaborative relationships with community agencies to enhance service quality for children and families.
• Perform related duties as requested.
  Technical Skills and Experience Required
  Qualifications, technical skills, experience, and knowledge required for this position include:
  • Graduation from an accredited four-year high school (A.A. Degree in Social Work, Early Childhood Education, Social Services, Public Administration, or related field preferred)
  • Strong organizational, interpersonal, and decision-making skills
  • Strong multi-tasking skills
  • Experience working with low-income families and social service agencies in the community (preferred)
  • Ability to accurately handle detailed and confidential information
  • Good written, verbal, and computer skills - ability to provide parent and staff trainings
  • Possession of a valid Tennessee driver's license and the ability to be insured at standard vehicle liability rates
  Southwest is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.