Family Advocate - Head Start Program, Lansing, MI Area

Capital Area Community Services, Inc. is seeking a Family Advocate to work 40 hours per week for its Head Start Program. This position has summers off per the Agency calendar year. The pay rate is $21.13 per hour with an Associate's degree, $24.97 with a Bachelor's degree, and $27.00 with a Master's degree.

Perform a variety of duties designed to assist and support families in improving their skills and encouraging them to participate in the Head Start program. Work with families to identify strengths and needs and create goals per the Head Start Parent Family and Community Engagement framework.

• Associate's degree in Social Work, Human Services, Family Services, Counseling or related field (Family Advocate I)
• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Human Services, Family Services, Counseling or related field (Family Advocate II)
• Master's degree in Social Work, Human Services, Family Services, Counseling or closely related field (Family Advocate III)

A minimum of one year of related experience in a human service or social services organization working with low income families.

Collaborate with families in a family partnership process to support the families’ identified needs, interests, strengths, and goals; jointly monitor progress toward families’ goals.

Communicate and collaborate regularly with classroom staff, childcare partners, and other departments.

Participate in the Head Start program’s recruitment efforts.

Work to ensure the classroom is fully enrolled.

Monitor child attendance records, communicate with families and teaching staff about attendance, and provide support for attendance challenges.

Develop relationships with parents by learning about their life, goals, and interests.

Connect or refer families to appropriate community services and resources, tailoring information to each family’s goals and needs.

Follow up with families on their progress as needed through respectful, ongoing two-way communication.

Assure that families receive welcoming environments.

Participate in team meetings, including with childcare partners, to provide input regarding concerns about children or families and to assist in developing plans to meet those needs.

Assist in planning, supporting, and executing parent engagement and family events or trainings (Family Activity Nights, FSC trainings, Parent Committee Meetings/Family Meetings, Transition Events, etc.).

Document and track child and parent information timely and accurately in the Child Plus system including case notes, health data, enrollment data, and program information data to support family and program goals.

Learn about and understand ERSEA roles and responsibilities.

Establish relationships with other community agencies, childcare providers, and service providers.

Complete regular Home Visits.

Work with families to ensure that every child has access to a medical and dental home.

Provide support to families and health staff to ensure physicals, immunizations, and dental exams are up to date, along with treatment follow-up if necessary.

Work with the family to remove barriers so they can thrive, including transporting families to appointments if needed.

Actively participate in monthly department meetings, department training, monthly reflective supervision, reflective practice, and peer-to-peer learning groups.

Capital Area Community Services, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Post Offer and Pre-Employment, candidates must pass a drug screen, including marijuana, and fingerprint background checks.

Employment with CACS Head Start is contingent upon successful completion of a comprehensive background check, including fingerprinting, in accordance with state and federal licensing requirements and Head Start Performance Standards. All candidates must also pass a pre-employment drug screening. Continued employment is subject to adherence to ongoing background check and health requirements as mandated by licensing regulations and agency policies.