Job Description

Department: Head Start & Early Learning Programs

Position: Family Advocate

Hours: As Assigned

Location: As Assigned

Status: Non- Exempt

Supervisor: Family Services Supervisor

Position Summary:

The Family Advocate engages in collaborative partnership building with enrolled families and provides comprehensive case management services, in accordance with Office of Head Start Performance Standards & Regulations and HS & ELP policies and procedures. 

Essential Qualifications:

• Working on Certification in Human Services or Human Services Degree or related field (completed in 18 months of hire), and 2 years’ experience in Human Services or related field, and 2 years’ case management experience.
• OR Associate Degree in Human Services or related field, and 1 year experience ins Human Services or related field, and 1 year case management.
• OR Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services or related field, and 3 months experience in Human Services or related field, and 3 months case management.
• Experience working with families with low-income preferred.
• Bilingual preferred.
• Familiarity with Office of Head Start Program Performance Standards preferred.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Become knowledgeable of and remain current regarding Head Start Performance Standards, HS & ELP program policies and procedures and other relevant program administrative requirements.
• Work closely with HS & ELP departments in the areas of health, developmentally appropriate education, mental health, nutrition, parent involvement, and other areas as required.
• Must demonstrate ability to work in partnership with families and have a professional demeanor.
• Must be able to follow direction as well as work independently and as part of a team, manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and adjust to a fluctuating work pace.
• Welcome, enroll and orient families to the Program; support family participation and engagement using the Parent Family Community Engagement framework and the Brazelton Touchpoints Approach.  
• Participate in outreach/recruitment activities with other members of Family Services and Enrollment, occasionally on nights and weekends.
• Obtain Certification in Touchpoints Parenting Program and Facilitate Touchpoints Parent Groups for program participants.
• In collaboration with the family, assess family strengths and needs, identify goals, and maintain ongoing contact to follow through on progress towards meeting goals.
• Complete two or more home visits per year.
• Must be or become knowledgeable of a wide range of community resources for low-income families with young children. 
• Provide referrals to community resources and ensure appropriate follow-up.  
• Ensure integrity of family service data through regular data entry and reporting. Must be able to understand and be able to use GoEngage for job related data entry and tracking.
• Establish and maintain family files and ensure the completeness and accuracy of these files at all times. 
• Monitor and obtain needed enrollment, health, educational and developmental information within prescribed timelines, as defined by Federal and State Regulations and HS & ELP procedures.
• Prepare for and participate in regular Child and Family Reviews and Case Management meetings.
• Prepare regular activity reports and participate in ongoing supervision. In collaboration with supervisor, create and maintain professional development plan, participate in trainings, as scheduled.
• Must be able to travel to all HS & ELP sites.
• Monitor excessive absence reports and follow up with family and educators as necessary.
• Review and assess transportation needs as applicable, at enrollment and quarterly. 
• Maintain good in-house relationships with all other staff members and with community partners.
• Must adhere to agency confidentiality policies.
• Remote work from home will be assigned and determined by your supervisor; When schedule requires remote work, expected to be available for meetings, calls, responding to emails, and conducting regular duties during standard service/agency hours. 

This does not cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may be adjusted to meet the operational needs of the agency.

Skills Required:

• Experience in using Microsoft Products, SharePoint, including competence with email, word processing, and data entry.
• Excellent verbal (in-person and phone) and written communication skills.
• Excellent judgment related to consultation practices and interpersonal relationships.
• Must be able to effectively work both collaboratively and independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent organizational and assessment skills, detail oriented and able to meet required timelines.
• Organized, flexible and able to adapt successfully to diverse learning styles. 
• Cultural competence and sensitivity to the needs of families with lower incomes. 

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

The physical demands and work environment described below are representative of those that must be met

by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Frequent sitting, standing, walking and climbing stairs,
• Manual dexterity required for use of computer keyboard and mouse.
• Must be able to engage in activities that include bending, floor activities, and lifting young children 2 months to 5 years of age.
• Must be able to lift and/or move up to 40 pounds.
• Will spend time in an office space as well as the classroom and occasionally outdoors.
• Noise level in the office is usually quiet, but the noise and activity level in the classroom may be moderately high. 
• Must have the ability to drive a personal vehicle and program vehicles, as needed. 

Community Action is an AA/EOE/ADA

Employment is contingent upon the following: a satisfactory Background Record Check (BRC) which includes Criminal Offender Record (C.O.R.I.), Department of Children and Families (DCF) background check, Sex Offender Registry information (SORI) checks, fingerprint-based national and state criminal history database checks, National Sex Offender Registry (NCOR), and Out-of-State checks (CORI, SORI, DCF) if an individual has lived in another state within the last five years. BRC and fingerprinting-based national and state criminal history check is to be completed every three years. In addition, employment is contingent on evidence of physical exam within the past year, plus verification of MMRs. Documentation of subsequent physical exams must be submitted every 2 years. Also, submit evidence of a good driving record and ability to be covered under Community Action’s non-owned and hired vehicle policy

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