Family Service Advocate

Primary Purpose:

To provide support services to Head Start families in compliance with Head Start Performance Standards local Head Start policies and center/district policies in providing children and families with Head Start services. To comply with all federal guidelines (Head Start Performance Standards Transmittal Notices etc.) and local Head Start policies in providing children and families with Head Start services. To provide children with a learning environment and varied developmentally appropriate experiences which will help them develop socially intellectually physically and emotionally in a manner appropriate to the age and stage of development toward the overall goal of social competence.

Qualifications:

Education/Certification

• High School diploma or GED required
• Some college hours in social work or child development preferred

Skills

• Experience working with families in health or social service needs preferred
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred
• Valid Texas Drivers License or other reliable mode of transportation during work hours required
• Proof of current automobile liability insurance required
• Must be service oriented and possess problem solving skills and organizational abilities
• Must have an awareness of and attentiveness to individual differences

Working Conditions:

• Tools/Equipment Used: Standard classroom and nursery equipment such as toys playgrounds multiple-rider strollers etc.; Standard office equipment including personal computer and peripherals
• Posture: Must be physically able to tolerate prolonged sitting frequent standing kneeling/squatting bending/stooping pushing/pulling and twisting
• Motion: Must be physically able to participate in moderate to high levels of physical activity such as but not limited to standing for moderate to lengthy periods of time frequent walking and overhead reaching occasional driving; repetitive hand motions frequent keyboarding and use of mouse
• Lifting: Must be physically able to tolerate regular light lifting and carrying (less than 15 pounds); may require occasional heavy lifting and carrying (45 pounds or more)
• Environment: Must be physically able to tolerate cleaning products and sanitizers work inside and outside (exposure to sun heat cold and inclement weather); exposure to noise; frequent exposure to bodily fluids; tolerate occasional travel between work sites
• Mental Demands: Must be able to work with frequent interruptions maintain emotional control under stress and self-control in the presence of children; work prolonged or irregular hours on occasion
• Regular Attendance is an essential function

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

1. Engages in respectful goal-oriented partnerships with families to promote student success and family well-being
2. Supports families in using community resources that enhance family well-being and childrens learning and development
3. Acts as a member of the comprehensive services team to problem solve potential barriers
4. Works in cooperation with other Head Start staff in assessing needs of Head Start children and families for medical dental nutrition social services safety and transportation needs
5. Assists with the screening of Head Start children in height weight vision hearing and hemoglobin
6. Assists Head Start families in accessing social services programs with the data from initial Life Skills Progression screening
7. Assists with notifying families of medical dental and special appointments for Head Start children and supports them in attending those appointments
8. Assists Head Start families with accessing transportation to agencies as needed
9. Assists with recruitment and application as needed
10. Maintains documentation on program forms and shares information with parents as required
11. Makes contact with parents each week (face-to-face) and maintains appropriate detailed and accurate documentation of these contacts and all services to families
12. Assists families to achieve goals by building and maintaining relationships encouraging them in developing necessary skills and supporting goal attainment by reviewing the Life Skills Progression assessment tool and Family Partnership Agreement regularly
13. Promotes engagement in well-being parent child relationships as lifelong educators and learners in transitions and connections to peers and the community and as advocates and leaders Engagement may include parent committee meetings Policy Council child development and behavioral training events and workshops parent/teacher conferences providing input into their childs education staffings and curriculum development and volunteerism in all program options
14. Attends all assigned Head Start parent engagement events meetings and other program sponsored events
15. Helps recruit and encourages parents to build connections to others and the community by volunteering in all aspects of the program
16. Facilitates year-round recruitment application and enrollment of Head Start children and pregnant women for vacancies and or waiting lists
17. Makes home visits as needed
18. Assists the teacher with health lessons to Head Start children including but not limited to: tooth brushing hand washing importance of fluoride and models good health practices/behavior
19. Attends and applies learning of staff trainings as required including child abuse prevention vision and hearing certification first aid cardiopulmonary resuscitation blood borne pathogens defensive driving car seat safety and Family Service Credential attainment
20. Supports program policies accepting changes and new ideas
21. Collects and analyzes information to find new solutions to challenges as ongoing monitoring and continual improvement in services
22. Adheres to the Head Start Standards of Conduct
23. Models correct speech patterns vocabulary behavior and skills for children
24. Uses appropriate and positive methods of child guidance
25. Supports learning to meet the individual needs of individual children
26. Demonstrates respect and accepts differences for each child and their family
27. Maintains a professional level of confidentiality regarding children and their families
28. Interacts with children and families during all indoor and outdoor activities
29. Provides opportunities for each child to experiences success and reinforces all efforts
30. Supervises children at all times
31. Provides emergency medical care for the children as needed
32. Monitors the approved persons to pick up children
33. When needed substitutes for the Instructional Assistants and performs responsibilities for that role
34. Follows the teacher calendar
35. Reports for work ready to perform responsibilities
36. Performs duties that directly and/or indirectly impact student performance in Region
37. Maintains a professional level of confidentiality regarding all ESC matters
38. Supports the mission goals and objectives of the ESC strategic plan
39. Upholds and adheres to safety rules and policies of the ESC safety program
40. Performs professional responsibilities as required by ESC policies processes and procedures
41. Manages time calendar and job responsibilities to meet deadlines
42. Meets proficiency levels of required technology skills as outlined by supervisor
43. Incorporates appropriate technology in daily work and exhibits continual growth in technologies as outlined by supervisor
44. Performs other duties as assigned