Family Services Advocate Job Saginaw area,Michigan USA,Social Work

A. GENERAL SUMMARY OF DUTIES

The Family Service Advocate will Identify, recruit, and enroll children and their families for the Saginaw ISD Head Start Program. The Family Service Advocate will work with the Head Start Family Services Coordinator and the entire team to support child development and positive outcomes for children and families through compliance with the Head Start Performance Standards. The Family Service Advocate will support parent engagement, and build partnerships with families via Family Partnership Agreements, assessing family’s strengths, participating in goal setting, and connecting families to community resources.

They will provide family intervention strategies, coordinate and/or facilitate program services and monitor the family’s progress in achieving identified goals. The Family Service Advocate will maintain accurate data.

B.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties of the position are described in major functional areas listed below. Additional duties may be assigned.

Family Support and Intervention:
In cooperation with other team members, work with families through home visits and in other appropriate settings to provide a written family needs assessment, develop and implement a family partnership agreement. Implement strategies that support the family in identifying strengths, addressing concerns, dealing with challenges and achieving goals. Conduct referrals and follow up to ensure families’ progress in achieving goals.

Refers families for emergency or crisis assistance. Participates in child profile development.

Recruitment, Enrollment and Attendance:
Identify, recruit, and enroll children for the Head Start program including children with disabilities. Ensure full program enrollment at all times, maintain a waiting list, and support the transition of children into and out of the program. Work with Managers and other program staff to analyze patterns of child absences and initiate appropriate family support procedures when necessary. Assist with outreach activities as needed.

Health/ Disability Requirements:
Coordinate with other program staff and community agencies to assist families in meeting program disability/health requirements. Assist parents in finding a medical home, arranging transportation, sending appointment reminders. Understand and ensure the completion of program medical, health, dental and disability requirements. Attends IEP meetings as requested.

Family Involvement – Work with parents to promote participation in local Head Start parent programming as defined by the team. Display initiative and positive results in organizing, scheduling, facilitating, and presenting at these functions. Provide resources to families as appropriate. Lead, train and provide support to officers to ensure that parent club meetings run smoothly.

Family Engagement – Build collaborative partnerships between families, schools, and communities to support student learning, well‑being, and development through compliance with the Head Start Performance Standards. Establish and maintain positive relationships with families, staff, and community partners, acting as a liaison to increase engagement and trust.

Event Coordination – Plan and implement school‑wide workshops, meetings, and family events to enhance parent education and engagement.

Community

Collaboration:

Advocate in the community for Head Start and families. Be accessible to the community by attending committee and/or collaborative meetings, including round‑ups, partnerships, collaborations, community events, open houses and individual enrollments. Build community collaborations that support the growth and development of children and families. Coordinates appropriate referrals to community agencies in areas related to family support and intervention.

Team and Peer Support:
Act as an integral part of the team, effectively utilizing the process of communication. Participate with all team members in fulfilling program performance standards. Share program information with teachers to meet individual family needs.

Recordkeeping:
Maintain accurate and up‑to‑date records, files and reports. Send for necessary documentation,…