Family Advocate

The Family Advocate plays a vital role in supporting families and children enrolled in the Head Start/Early Head Start center-based programming. This position fosters strong relationships between families, the center-based classrooms, and the community. The Family Advocate is responsible for supporting family well-being, promoting family engagement, and helping families access resources to meet their goals and needs.

• Minimum of an Associatedegreein Social Servicesorrelatedfieldwithtwo (2) years’experienceincaseworkdeliveryto families with young children. Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
• Intermediatecomputerliteracyincludingonline data systems and Microsoft
  
  Office.
• Experienceworkingwithyoung childrenandtheirfamilies.
• Knowledge of andsensitivitytotheuniquechallengesfacedbyfamilieslivinginpoverty.

• Develop and maintain positive, supportive relationships with families.
• Maintain confidentiality and respect for the dignity of each family served.
• Conduct initial family needs assessments and assist in developing individualized family partnership agreements which include goals grounded in the Parent, Family and Community Engagement Framework (family outcomes).
• Monitor family progress toward goals and provide ongoing support.
• Advocate for families and support access to community resources and services such as housing, employment, education, and health care.
• Conduct regular home visits and family contact according to family needs and program guidelines.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of family interactions, referrals, and follow-ups in the Child Plus data system.
• Collaborate with teaching staff, health, mental health, and disability team members to support child development and family engagement.
• Encourage and facilitate family participation in engagement activities, parent committee and policy council.
• Ensure compliance with Head Start Program Performance Standards, federal and state regulations, and agency policies.
• Engage in a wide range of recruitment activities including soliciting agency referrals, distributing posters and flyers, visiting homes to complete applications, and recruiting door-to-door onanongoingbasis.
• Monitor Child Plus entries on a regular basis to ensure that all required vision, hearing, health anddentalscreenings,physicals,and immunizations forcaseloadarecomplete and entered according to
  
  Head Start Performance Standards and  State Child Ca relicensing.

• Continue professional growth and development by participating in ongoing ECE education, training programs,workshops/conferences (as budget allows), reading articles and professional journals pertaining toECEand Head Star/Early Head Start.
• Participateinvariousmeetingsincluding programmeetingsandcollaborative meetingswithotheragencies as assigned.
• Reportanyconcerns for safety,health, ornon-compliancetothe
  
  Familyand Community Engagement Manager or Early Care and Education Director.
• Performotherduties asmaybeassigned by supervisors thatare reasonably within thescopeofdutieslisted above.

• Excellentorganizationandtimemanagement skillswithabilityto prioritize andmanage workloadanddeadlines.
• Excellent problem-solving skills.
• Abilityto work independentlyaswell asin a team environment.
• Abilitytowork flexible hours andtravelwhennecessary.
• Reliablesourceoftransportation with
  100/300 liability insurance coverage.
• Physical strength/endurance/mobilitytoperform in astandard dailyrequiredwork routine.
• Maintainandmodelgoodhygiene,appropriate dress(neat,clean,andmodest),a professionalbehaviorto parents, staff,and the community.
• Maintaina positive and productive attitude.
• Demonstrate,throughpositivewordsandactions,respectforandacceptanceofincomeeligiblefamilies.

• Beabletocommunicate effectivelywithstaff, volunteers,andfamiliesonaregularbasis.
• Effective communication skills andabilitytofollow verbaland written instructions.
• Abilityto read, write, and communicate instructions.

• Models direct,positive,honest,andrespectfulbehaviorineveryaspectof workwithchildren,families,staff,andcommunitymembers.
• Energeticallyengagespeople,issues,andwork.
• Applies the highest ethical standards to themselves andothers onadailybasis.
• Supportsothersintheireffortstobeproductive andeffectiveandsucceedinworkand life.
• Activelyparticipatesinteambuilding,which includes sharingideasandmutualsupportofteammembers.
• Consistentlyusesinterpersonalskillsthatareappropriateforindividualstyles,personalities,cultures,the natureof thework, andtheenvironmentin whichthe work isbeingdone.
• Practice honest,respectful,anddirectcommunicationaswellasactivelistening.
• Respectsconfidentialityof informationaboutagencystaff,personnel issues, andotherprogramoperations.

Valid Driver'sLicenseandinsuredvehicle(100/300minimumcoverage) foruseonthejoboracceptablealternative,drivingrecordcheck,criminal record check, randomized drug screening.

Head Start, Early Head Start, Childcare, and Home Visiting…