Educator​/Family Development Worker

What began in a 500-unit public housing development in San Antonio, Texas, with an annual budget of $50,000 serving 35 families, AVANCE has grown to over 100 program sites across the U.S., serving thousands of parents and children annually through early childhood education/parenting and family support services.

AVANCE is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit, community-based organization originally conceptualized at Cornell University by graduate students of Dr. Urie Bronfenbrenner. The first AVANCE Mother-Infant Program was established in Dallas, Texas in 1972 with funding from the Zale Corporation. Zale then provided seed funding to bring the program to San Antonio, Texas and hired Gloria Rodriguez as the first Executive Director of the San Antonio branch in 1973.

While the Dallas site closed its doors in 1974, AVANCE in San Antonio continued and Dr. Rodriguez became the visionary leader who firmly established, enhanced and expanded the concept in San Antonio, developing the AVANCE Parent-Child Education Program into the effective and comprehensive program it is today. AVANCE is widely recognized as a national model and best practice in early childhood education.

This position is responsible for conducting weekly home visits, observing parent interaction with the child during program activities, assisting in addressing problems in the home, and providing appropriate referrals for needed services. It will also provide families with comprehensive family development and adult education service through individualized service delivery plans, focusing on promoting the educational and economic success of parents, which in turn promotes the child's overall growth and development.

Work may involve unusual and extended working hours, including evenings and weekends. Must have flexible schedule. Work inside and outside of facilities. Work in family's home. Work in various types of weather conditions. Occasional exposure to childhood illnesses. Must be able to handle multiple tasks.

• Schedule appointments with participants for weekly home visits.
• Provide families with comprehensive case management and family development services, including in-home visits, advocacy, transportation, and referral services.
• Assess families' needs based on enrollment information and intake interview; develop individual family service plans that build on family strengths.
• Assist families in developing goals and objectives and establish systems to track accomplishments.
• Monitor, evaluate and modify families' service delivery plans on a regular schedule.
• Ensure families receive needed services from child care and support staff or outside agencies; act as advocate or broker to link families to community resources and services.
• Recruit program participants, obtain required data, and conduct intakes as needed.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation and narrative reports in families' folders.
• Participate in meetings and briefings as a contributing member of the team; present cases for review and input from peer groups; participate in recruitment and enrollment efforts.
• Communicate with staff on assigned cases to solicit input and direction regarding service needs.
• Assist in providing program overviews to parents, committee members, and visitors as assigned; facilitate monthly parent meetings.
• Become familiar with performance standards related to this position and the program.
• Research community resources for additional service opportunities for parents.
• Access community resources and services for participants.
• Advocate on behalf of families and follow up on referrals.
• Ensure developmental screenings and assessments are implemented in a timely manner per the framework.
• Attend trainings mandated by Early Head Start to remain compliant with performance standards.
• Become familiar with the research‑based curriculum for children and pregnant women.
• Work with the Intervention Support Specialist to address behavior issues.
• Input data into the PROMIS database.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Education: AA Degree in Early Childhood Education and/or related field (Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Education or…