Family Support Advocate

Family Support Advocate (Family Center)

The job of Family Support Advocate (Family Center) is done for the purpose of adhering to the guidelines set forth in the Illinois State Board of Education Birth to Three Programs Standards. This job reports to Family Support Team Leader.

Essential Functions:

• Build and maintain community networks and collaborations for the purpose of complying with established guidelines, and collaborating to meet the needs of the families.
• Completes all family/parent/child assessments for the purpose of documenting goal setting and outcomes, and referring to services, if indicated.
• Follows procedures as set up by the Center (e.g. signing in/out, phone use, calling when sick, requesting time off, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective operation of the Family Center Program.
• Maintains and submits paper work in a timely manner (e.g. home/center visit attendance data; event and group attendance; individual attendance analysis; all file folder forms; developmental screenings; parenting/family assessments; developmental staffings; home visit plans for 24 home visits a year per caseload family; IFSP goals; monthly reports; center event planning forms, etc.) for the purpose of complying with required quality standards.
• Maintains a confidential and professional relationship with families (e.g. supports all parent functions; contacts parents by phone when necessary; distributes printed information (flyers, newsletters, memos); invites parents/families to all appropriate center events; plans activities that keep parents interested in their child's education;, etc.) for the purpose of supporting families in achieving their goals.
• Networks weekly with community schools, agencies and institutions for the purpose of recruitment and building collaborative relationships.
• Offers a wide variety of learning activities for the purpose of meeting children's developmental and academic needs.
• Participates in all training programs for the purpose of developing skills in Family Support and Parenting education, child and family development, human diversity within the family system, health, safety and nutrition, and relationships between families and communities.
• Participates as a team member for the purpose of designing an effective model for sharing responsibilities.
• Participates in yearly evaluations for the purpose of continuous quality improvement.
• Participates in all required staffings and conferences for the purpose of team building and conveying and/or gathering information.
• Performs other related duties, as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the Family Center Program.
• Plans home/center visits in advance of meeting for the purpose of ensuring that the visit is implemented professionally in accordance with Parents As Teachers Quality Standards and provides high quality services to families.
• Plans group sessions for the purpose of helping families build social connections, promote positive parenting skills, and increase parent's understanding of their role in their child's development.
• Posts emergency medical procedures, emergency exits, due dates and weekly home visit schedules in personal work space for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective operation of the Family Center Program.
• Prepares and/or assists with a variety of written documents and/or materials (e.g. accurate monthly reports, caseload documentation forms, etc.) for the purpose of documenting activities and services, providing written reference, and/or conveying information.
• Prepares for home visits (e.g. maintain supplies and materials in good order and condition (books, puzzles, records, etc.); complete and labeled home visit kits; use child assessments in planning and implementing home visit plans; provide materials that encourage social and cultural awareness; provide transitional plans for a smooth transition from 0-3 to 3-5 programs (Head Start and Pre-K), etc.) for the purpose of complying with the required curriculum guidelines.
• Recruits eligible families, maintaining a caseload of 24 families for the purpose of complying with established guidelines.
• Respects dress code as established by the Center for the purpose of adhering to required guidelines and maintaining a professional working environment.
• Uses appropriate conflict resolution management techniques for the purpose of encouraging problem-solving and advocacy.
• Utilizes the "Parents as Teachers" curriculum as the core curriculum…