Parent Advocate, Bilingual; Spanish

Job Title:

Parent Advocate

Location:

Orlando, FL

Bilingual: fluently speak, read, and write both Spanish and English

The Parent Advocate plays a vital role in supporting the needs of families with children ages birth to five in the Orlando Kidz Zone (OKZ) neighborhoods. Through the Family Care Connection (FCC) program, the position is responsible for paraprofessional work that helps families define goals, empowerment to achieve goals through information/resources, coordinates access/enrollment of children in early care and learning programs, offers wraparound services to a host of family/social support services, and works in partnership with families to improve their overall well-being.

Work is performed under established guidelines and direction of the program manager.

• Conduct recruitment activities to identify families interested in the OKZ FCC program, in conjunction with the City’s OKZ Managers, My Brother’s Keeper, and other partner agencies. Work includes canvassing neighborhoods; establishing connections with community organizations; and participation in outreach activities.
• Complete Family Map with designated families, develop Partnership Agreement, monitor and document progress toward goals, maintain regular communication by phone, email, text and in-person meetings.
• Provide families with consultation, information, resources and referrals to services that support their needs, including early learning/child care options such as Early Head Start, Head Start, Bezos Academy, Rosen Preschool, OCPS Kindergarten, Voluntary Pre‑Kindergarten, and School Readiness programs.
• Generate enrollment referrals for City of Orlando’s Child Care funding (School Readiness/Early Learning Coalition Orange Co.) and complete direct enrollment of eligible children into City’s funding for families with unique circumstances.
• Assist families with completing applications, collecting documentation to verify eligibility, scheduling appointments, and arranging transportation for wraparound services, including eligibility for early care and learning programs.
• Advocate for FCC participants and act as liaison between wraparound service partners; report areas of concern to program manager.
• Utilize City’s “Bonterra” data software to maintain accurate files, analyze data, prepare reports, correspondence, and family services records per policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as needed and determined by 4C in support of the OKZ neighborhoods.

• The structure and content of the English language including meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar to prepare and read documents and correspondences.
• Principles and processes for providing customer and personal services.
• Office practices and procedures.
• A variety of computer software applications in word processing, spreadsheet, and databases.

• Gain knowledge of agency guidelines, contract requirements and program components.
• Navigate the Internet.
• Gain knowledge of specific software applications used by the City and/or 4C.
• Work under pressure and meet deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Have main knowledge of eligibility criteria for applicants.
• Know community resources.
• Demonstrate excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, and record keeping skills.
• Demonstrate abilities in problem solving and organization.
• Work and communicate with people from various multicultural backgrounds and socio‑economic levels.

Demonstrate proficient computer literacy and use of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook. Sensitivity to the needs, abilities, beliefs, and attitudes of individuals within and outside the Agency, including but not limited to customers and co‑workers.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Human Development, Education, or closely related field; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Previous experience in the human services/social services field preferred.
• One year experience working with individuals to establish family support goals and/or promote the healthy development of children…