Family Advocate Early Childhood Impact Program

We are seeking reliable nurturing career-minded teachers for our Early Learning Centers. Serving children from birth to 5 years old our infant and preschool programs provide high quality child care and holistic support for low income families and work to ensure that all our kids are prepared for a lifetime of learning with the tools and support they need to thrive.

POSITION SUMMARY:

These general functions will be carried out in keeping with the Goals Mission and Policies of the YMCA of the East Bay. The Family Advocate II facilitates and takes leadership on goal-setting and coaching with families/parents and serves as a liaison between family/client and community services to ensure the best possible educational outcomes.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Develop positive respectful and trusting relationships with and serve as a liaison between Community School partners and services and families.

2. Conduct outreach recruitment and enrollment meeting Head Start Performance Standards and Funding Terms and Conditions.

3. Provide orientation on philosophy of program and services provided.

4. Implement strategies including home visits to learn about families and the changing community.

5. Develop strengths-based assessments with families that describe their goals strengths resources and support networks as well as necessary services and supports that include health concerns.

6. Develop an individualized family plan in partnership with the family that includes health follow up regularly with the family and collaborate on resolving obstacles.

7. Facilitate families problem-solving and support enhancing problem-solving skills.

8. Coach consult educate and utilize counseling skills where appropriate.

9. Advocate for families and support them in advocating for themselves.

10. Support the health and wellness of children and families in the program.

11. Ensure all health requirements are met upon entrance into the program and track all health dental and nutrition-related data and ensure routine follow-up.

12. Assist with all health screenings required for completion within 45 calendar days of childs enrollment in the program.

13. Identify common interests and needs of parents in order to plan appropriate activities training and groups.

14. Engage parents in volunteering community service and other ways of contributing to program activities and services.

15. Work with other program staff to support interactive literacy activities and other learning approaches between parents and their children.

16. Serve as a productive team member on an interdisciplinary team of professionals participate and facilitate case conferences to promote holistic service delivery.

17. Promote and support parent involvement and leadership throughout the program.

18. Research and keep up-to-date on program and community resources analyze community resources to family needs and refer families to community resources as appropriate.

19. Listen and support families in making decisions and taking active steps to resolve current crises and be prepared to address future crises.

20. Learn about and be sensitive to each familys values beliefs traditions cultural influences makeup and circumstances using a culturally competent and flexible approach.

21. Perform record-keeping and internal and external reporting tasks in a timely and objective fashion.

22. Contribute to and participate in strategic planning program self-assessment and other efforts to improve program services and agency responsiveness to families.

23. Make decisions and act based on family support principles theories practices and code of ethics while maintaining professional boundaries and confidentially.

24. Complete other duties as assigned.

MEASURE OF EFFECTIVENESS

This position has a primary impact on the YMCAs ability to support the Head Start/EHS program. Therefore the effectiveness of the fulfillment of this position should be measured by:

1. Communications will be based on mutual trust culturally appropriate accurate and timely;

2. Positive relationships will be developed with families and outside community partners;

3. Program reports and documentation are completed and submitted on-time;

4. The targeted number of youth and families are served.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here 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.

Sufficient strength agility and mobility to perform essential functions of position and to supervise program activities

Visual ability to clearly monitor activities

Mobility to quickly respond to emergencies

QUALIFICATIONS:

• BA or BS in family development psychology sociology or related field
• One year of related experience in a non-profit and/or human services setting
• A high degree of cultural awareness and competency in cross-cultural practices withchildren and families
• Experience working with low-income communities
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to negotiate and mediate to attain win-win situations
• T.B. and other required health clearances at the time of employment
• Fingerprint clearance by the DOJ and CCL agencies
• Valid California Drivers License and use of a personal automobile including evidence of auto liability insurance coverage
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word Outlook and other computer programs