Head Start Family Advocate

Responsibilities:
The Family Advocate works together with no more than thirty-eight (38) families enrolled in the Early Head Start, Head Start and Community Development Programs to assess family functioning and enhance parent(s)' ability to meet their own needs through the appropriate use of community resources. Additionally, the Family Advocate implements recruitment, enrollment, and transition activities. Family Advocates serve as the primary contact with families.

Position may require evening and weekend hours.

BA Degree in Human Services or related field with knowledge of child development or completion of a degree and/or Family Development Credential within 18 months of employment. Job requires traveling within area served by the program. Must have valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle. Position may require evening and weekend hours.

BA Degree in Human Services and at least two years confirmed experience working with children and families of low-income, and demonstrated knowledge of community resources and the skill to link families with agencies.

Must believe and act in accordance with the Agency's Mission Statement and abide by Family Enrichment Network's standards of conduct. Ability to work cooperatively as a team member and communicate effectively with others. Must be able to work with persons of varying socio-economic, ethnic, and educational backgrounds. Must be very flexible and able to multi-task and respond to the needs of families in a timely manner.

• Follows all agency administrative and programmatic policies and procedures.
• Assists in ensuring the agency meets all federal, state, local rules, regulations and licensing requirements.
• Follows all aspects of the agency personnel policies and procedures.
• Immediately reports child abuse to supervisor or appropriate staff person.
• Actively supports agency mission and philosophy.

• Communicates with families in a positive manner providing a supportive social and emotional climate.
• Establishes a positive rapport with families and is sensitive to their needs.
• Facilitates the Family Partnership Assessment process.
• Develops, implements, and follows up on an individual plan with each family.
• Utilizes a case management system with each family to ensure efficient/effective service delivery.
• Conducts monthly home visits with each family, either in person or remotely based on the needs of the family (average 1 hour per family).
• Empowers families to advocate for their own needs.
• Actively seeks information about child development, parent education, family functioning, and health/mental health/nutrition and shares information with the families.
• Forges collaborations and positive working relationships with other agencies to advocate for needs of shared families.
• Works within a team to communicate, monitor, and follow-up on results of child assessments and evaluations with parents.
• Acts as liaison between classroom and homes.
• Spend time in the classroom setting for a minimum of three (3) hours per week.
• Attends weekly Team Meetings with classroom teams and completes communication forms for all siblings.