Family Advocate Oklahoma , OK

JOB SUMMARY

Responsible for the effectiveness and accomplishment of the Health/Social Service mission in an assigned Head Start Center to include the enrollment process. Provides assistance and support to Head Start parents in obtaining basic and emergency needs to improve their “Quality of Life” either through direct Agency support or linkages to other service providers. Working knowledge of applicable Head Start (ACF) and CAA Policies and Procedures.

• Responsible for the training of staff inclement to the enrollment process and for the completion and verification of all data necessary for enrollment.
• Coordinates the center enrollment process for all students.
• Responsible for systematically working with the total family for assessment and establishing a Family Partnership Agreement. Assists the family in obtaining any necessary resources to achieve goals.
• Responsible for the planning, scheduling, and implementation of required Health Services for all Head Start enrollees within the Center.
• Coordinates and works with the teaching staff in performing initial home visits for each family.
• Works with the CAA staff to ensure coordination of comprehensive services of the entire agency.
• Ability to maintain consistent documentation including family goals and follow-up information as it pertains to the Family Partnership Agreement.
• Completes annual home visits as directed.
• Establishes and maintains records which ensure confidentiality of Health and Social Service data for each assigned Head Start family.
• Contact families whose children have irregular attendance records or who have missed four (4) consecutive days to determine the reason.
• Assist in procuring transportation for families in the case of a crisis or emergency so that they may obtain available services.
• Develops and implements an information system whereby parents are informed of available resources and how to obtain them.
• This position requires frequent travel to offsite locations.
• Performs other duties as required to accomplish the Head Start mission.

Work is performed in a licensed childcare facility with children ages from 6 weeks to twelve years of age, most of the children are between the ages of three and five. While most activities are performed in the office area in the building, the Family Advocate must also be mobile. Family Advocates are not assigned to classrooms or kitchen duties, however, performance in the absence of staff may be necessary which requires a person being mobile and agile in order to perform required tasks such as lifting up to forty-five (45) pounds, reaching above the head and below the knee, or positioning body as to be on child’s level and floor level.

Must be able to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, and able to run or walk hurriedly for a child’s safety.

• Associate degree in Sociology or related field and two (2) years paid employment in a Social Service Delivery System.
• Comprehensive speech, language, writing, and public relations skills.
• Possess the ability to plan, organize, and implement Service Delivery systems.
• Must meet all applicable requirements established by state and funding sources to include finger printing.
• Have transportation available and a valid Oklahoma State driver’s license.
• Ability to work with diverse cultures.
• Willing to attend training and/or further schooling.
• Meet required Work Environment standards.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Services or related field.
• Experience with in a Head Start program or school system.

The Community Action Agency of OKC/Oklahoma County was established in 1966, and initially was financed by the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, which launched the nation’s “War on Poverty.” Eventually the funding was consolidated into the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG). The Community Services division was implemented early on, serving low-income residents of Oklahoma County. Early programs included implementing the Food Stamp program and offering a nutrition program for seniors at meal centers.

Today the division has greatly expanded to offer legal assistance; tax assistance; summer youth programs; senior transportation to meal sites, medical appointments, and shopping; rent and mortgage assistance; and other community needs. HEAD START The Agency’s first Head Start center opened its doors to 39 families in 1965. Within two years, nine new centers and 575 children entered Head Start in Oklahoma County.

Today we have 26 Head Start classrooms in 15 public schools, and 98 Head Start classrooms total providing services to thousands of children in Oklahoma County.