Position Summary

The Family Coach will provide families with comprehensive support, and education services through the implementation of a jointly developed individualized service delivery plan. While carrying a caseload, the Family Coach serves as a family advocate, performs recruitment and enrollment responsibilities, monitors attendance, and fulfills family and community engagement activities and other services. The provision of all services will focus on promoting the educational and economic success of the parents, which, in turn, will promote the child’s overall development and school readiness.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

The work environment is that which is typical of an office setting. The noise level is usually moderate to loud. Working in AVANCE facility requires the ability to maintain physical condition and stamina appropriate for the assigned duties and responsibilities which may include stationary positioning for extended periods, interacting with co-workers, visitors, etc. Frequently requires lifting boxes of copy paper office supplies, etc. Occasional use of upper extremities to press against equipment, furniture, etc., up to 20 pounds with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward, or outward. Requires occasional use of upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, haul or tug objects up to 20 pounds in a sustained motion. Raising objects up to 20 pounds from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position to position is occasionally required.

Regularly required to use upper extremities including reaching with hands and arms to raise children from a lower to higher position. Regularly required to bend legs to rest on the knees, bend the body downward and forward by bending legs and spine (at the waist), move about on hands and knees or hands and feet. Frequently required to communicate information or instructions to parents, peers, management, etc. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Use of personal computing equipment, telephone, multi-functioning printer and calculator. Working evenings, weekends, and holidays as required in order to perform the duties and responsibilities of the position successfully. Normal to heavy travel required to attend activities such as meetings, classes, and workshops in and out of the service area. Must be able to travel by air as necessary to attend training, conference, and related activities.

Essential Functions

Job Function

Central Action Items:

1. Determine, verify, and document eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment, and attendance (ERSEA) of eligible children by agency and federal policy, protocols, and regulations. Ensures that all family documentation is accurate and complete.
2. Participate in recruitment efforts designed to actively inform families with eligible children in the service area, including children with disabilities and other vulnerable or disproportionately impacted children, of available Head Start services and assist them with the application process.
3. Ensure the assigned program maintains its funded enrollment level, including filling slots within 30 days of vacancy.
4. Complete the required enrollment documentation for returning families.
5. Monitor attendance to include tracking and follow-ups to engage families and support their active participation in the program. Collaborate with administrative and support staff in developing a prescriptive plan of action for the families to comply with the child’s daily attendance.
6. Ensure the family adheres to the attendance standards proposed by the agency to promote the family and child’s school readiness.
7. Provide HS/EHS families with comprehensive case management and family development services in the families' preferred language (or through an interpreter) to engage them in a family partnership process that identifies needs, interests, strengths, goals, and services and resources that support family well-being, including family safety, health, and economic stability.
8. Assess families’ needs and provide internal and external referrals based on enrollment information, intake interviews, and family assessments. Ensure that Head Start families receive needed services from center staff and support staff or outside agencies and individuals. Serve as an advocate or broker to link HS/EHS families to community resources and services.
9. Comply with obtaining all CAP60 data as required which includes but is not limited to Individual Family Partnership Agreement (IFPA), Strength and Needs Assessment, Family Assessment, Family Partnership Assessments, case notes, PIR, and enrollment information.
10. Make the required number of contacts based on a tier system with each family and maintain accurate and timely documentation and narrative reports in families’ folders on CAP60.
11. Follow the transition procedure with each EHS family to ensure a process is initiated 6 months before the child’s third birthday and the required documentation is completed.
12. Maintain adequate and detailed communication with each family using the transition process as a guide to discuss the required topics for each month’s follow ups. Keep record and documentation of all contacts with the family.
13. Comply with maintaining families’, child’s, and eligibility files up to date and accomplish deadlines.
14. Participate in scheduled Multidisciplinary Team Meetings (MDT) and introduce family cases for review and input from peer group.
15. Communicate with ERSEA and PFCE Specialist on assigned cases to solicit input and direction regarding levels and types of services needed and/or that are being provided.

Other Responsibilities:

1. Maintain ongoing communication with the Family Wellness Technician, Nutrition Staff, and Support Service Staff as needed to be fully engaged in all aspects of the program.
2. Collect all required information including release of confidential information and parental permission for therapy services to share with the appropriate Mental Health and Development Staff for the referral to the proper school districts and/or community agencies.
3. Maintain ongoing communication with other content areas regarding the process and procedure for a child’s transition.
4. Assist in the distribution of educational material to families as provided by the Mental Health and Development Staff so families better understand mental wellness, developmental concerns, and strengthen nurturing and supportive environments and relationships at home.
5.  Assist in monthly parent meetings and any other program committee meetings.
6. Cultivate parent leadership through participation in program governance opportunities such as Policy Council, Parent Committees, Advisory Committees, and volunteer activities.
7. Become thoroughly familiar with Head Start Program Performance Standards and AVANCE Houston’s policies and procedures as they relate to this position and all aspects of the program.
8. Ability to incorporate the unique cultural, ethnic, and linguistic backgrounds of families in the program and community.
9. Practice sound judgment in the protection of confidential information.
10. Ensure child records are complete, current, and organized, including documentation of case notes.
11. Maintain regular and punctual attendance in compliance with AVANCE-Houston policies and/or procedures, local, state, and federal laws.
12. Utilize personal vehicle for work related activities as needed.
13. Participate in assigned local, regional, and national training activities as required.
14. Must be able to travel for business activities.
15. Performs other duties as assigned. 

Measurable Deliveries:

1. Submit the required number of completed applications during the mass enrollment period and ensure that all sites meet their capacity and are fully enrolled by the first day of school.
2. Keep an active and updated inquiry list and at least three approved waitlisted families throughout the school year to maintain full enrollment.
3. Ensure that within the first 45 days of the family’s enrollment or first day of school for returning families the Strength and Needs Assessment is completed with the family.
4. Develop a family service plan for each family within the first 45 days of enrollment or the first day of the school year for returning children using the Strength and Needs assessment and the Family Assessment to address identified needs which focuses on the development of family strengths.
5. Ensure the Family Partnership Assessment is completed twice during the school year for each new and returning family.
6. Assist families in developing goals and objectives and set systems in place for tracking the accomplishment of their goals and objectives within the first 90 days of enrollment or the first day of school for returning families.
7. Monitor, evaluate, and modify families’ service delivery plan every 90 days or as required by the families’ needs and goals.
8. Ensure required reports are prepared and submitted before deadlines.

Education

• Required: HS Diploma or GED
• Preferred: Associates Degree in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Education, or a related field.

Experience

• Required: One year of related work experience working directly with families in a social service setting or willingness to obtain Family Service Credentials within 18 months of hire date.
• Preferred: One year of related work experience working directly with families in a social service setting.

Other

• Required: Diploma and/or Degree must be earned from a state-accredited or federally recognized education program.

License & Certification

• Must have a Valid Texas Driver License
• Must have Valid Vehicle Insurance 
• Must have dependable transportation and be insurable by AVANCE’s guidelines

Testing

• Post Offer Drug Screen 
• Moving Violation Report 
• Criminal Background Check 
• TB Testing
• FBI Background Check
• Sex Offender Registry

Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. Sustained concentration and ability to handle multiple tasks often simultaneously.
2. Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
3. Bilingual in English and Spanish (oral and written) preferred.
4. Ability to successfully engage with children and parents.
5. Ability to handle stressful and sensitive situations in a professional manner.
6. Ability to work independently and maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality.
7. Ability to exercise tact and discretion in all interactions.
8. Ability to perform duties and adapt to flexible work schedules as established by management
9. Able to lift and/or carry up to 20 lbs.
10. Office equipment - 10 key calculator, fax, copier, audiovisual equipment. Intermediate math skills required.
11. Intermediate to advanced computer skills in the use of the Windows, Internet Search Engines, Microsoft Office, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Agency Software and Programs, etc.
12. Knowledge of intervention strategies, knowledge and understanding of the target community and community resources, and interview strategies.
13. Ability to complete Mental Health First Aid certification provided by the agency.
14. Knowledge of pre-natal assessments for pregnant women.
15. Able to respond to family crises in a timely and appropriate manner and with cultural sensitivity.
16. Working Knowledge of the Texas Family Code
17. Able to work evenings and weekends as needed and travel (local, out of town and over-night)
18. Must have dependable transportation, valid driver’s license, proof of current insurance coverage, and be insured by AVANCE guidelines.
19. Perform other duties as assigned.

Disclaimer(s):

This is not necessarily an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements or working conditions. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned. Nothing in this job description forms or is intended to form a contract of employment. Neither shall the content in this job description be interpreted to be in conflict with or to eliminate or modify in any way, the “at will” employment status of AVANCE-Houston employees. Employment remains on an “at-will” basis.

AVANCE-Houston employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and that, if requested, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

ADA Statement:

AVANCE-Houston is committed to equal opportunity in employment for persons with disabilities and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), as amended, and any other applicable state and federal laws. Accordingly, AVANCE-Houston does not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities in regard to application, hiring, advancement, discharge, compensation, training or other terms, conditions and privileges of employment. Moreover, it is AVANCE-Houston’s policy to provide reasonable accommodations in employment to qualified individuals with disabilities so that they can perform the essential functions of the job, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of AVANCE-Houston’s business or would change the essential functions of the position. Retaliation against an individual with a disability for utilizing this policy or seeking a reasonable accommodation is prohibited. Individuals with any questions or requests for accommodation should contact the Human Resources Department.