Family and Health Advocate - Bilingual Cantonese

Description

At Easterseals of Chicagoland and Greater Rockford, we are committed to early learning and disability. We transform the lives of early learners and individuals of all abilities through access to expert educational, family, and community support. As an affiliate of America’s largest nonprofit health care organization, we have proudly served the communities and families of Chicagoland and Greater Rockford since 1936.

For more information about our organization, please visit us online tersealschicago.org.

Under the direction of the Family and Health Coordinator, the Family and Health Advocate - Bilingual Cantonese (FHA) builds trusting and collaborative relationships and provides ongoing direct support services to families at assigned sites throughout Chicago and surrounding suburbs. The FHA works with sites and with the Early Learning Services team to deliver services that fulfill Head Start/Early Head Start/Preschool for All/Prevention Initiative requirements in the areas of ERSEA (Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance), PFCE (Parent, Family, and Community Engagement), and Health and Nutrition.

This role is ideal for someone who has respect for children and families with diverse values and cultures and is passionate about achieving positive child and family outcomes through high-quality engagement.

This position is headquartered at Easterseals Chicago Location at 1939 W 13th Street, Chicago, IL 60608.

Major functions and accountabilities include developing and maintaining professional partnerships with staff at assigned sites; supporting sites in meeting Head Start Program Performance Standards and PFA/PI requirements; building trusting relationships with families; conducting regular home visits, site visits, and family engagement activities; ensuring continuous enrollment and attendance; coordinating parent involvement activities and committees; maintaining records in systems used for child and family data management;

participating in community engagement and reporting activities; and other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in social work, human services, family services, counseling, or a related field.

• Or Associate’s degree in social work, human services, family services, counseling, or a related field, plus a minimum of 1 year of experience in social services or early childhood education.

• Or Degree in another field plus a minimum of 1-3 years of experience in social services or early childhood education.

• Or No degree plus a minimum of 1-3 years of experience in social services or early childhood education.

* If no degree, or if degree is in another field, family specialist credential must be earned within 18 months of hire.

• Bilingual ability (English/Cantonese) may be preferred or required for some positions.
• Microsoft Office Suite or related software, including Microsoft Teams.

• Valid driver’s license
• Auto insurance
• Reliable vehicle
• Travel to Easterseals and partner sites regularly

• Able to establish rapport and build trusting relationships with families.
• Demonstrates a non-judgmental, compassionate, and culturally sensitive approach to working with families.
• Demonstrates a communication style that is open, adaptable, reflective, engaging, honest, and culturally sensitive.
• Ability to visit families in home and community settings, and to work flexible hours, including evenings, to meet family needs.
• Ability to engage in reflective learning practices and to utilize constructive feedback in order to inform work with families.
• Ability to work well with all levels of the organization, partner sites, other agencies, and funding source personnel.
• Demonstrates the ability to conceptualize and articulate program outcomes.
• Ability to manage multiple projects.
• Well organized, highly detail-oriented, and accuracy-driven.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

ADA:
Easterseals will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Unless exempted by the ADA, all persons hired for this position are required to possess the ability to perform the physical tasks necessary to treat clients, and to have the ability to lift up to 50 pounds frequently.