Child and Family Services Advocate

Position Purpose: Under the supervision of the Head Start Principal/Director and the Family Service Coordinator the Child and Family Services Advocate provides a vital role to the Head Start Family Services process. This position ensures program success in meeting the Family Engagement Outcomes on the Parent Family and Community Engagement Framework.

Qualifications:

* High school diploma or GED

* Maintain or obtain a Family Development Credential (FDC) or Associates degree in social work human services family services counseling or a related field within 18 months of hire

* Bachelors Degree strongly preferred

* Preference given for former or current Head Start parents

* Preference given for Head Start experience

* Experience and knowledge in social services field

* Knowledge of community resources

* Ability to connect with and communicate with families in a positive healthy way

Duties/Responsibilities:

1) ERSEA-Eligibility Recruitment Selection Enrollment Attendance

a. Assist families in application and enrollment process

b. Process application and assist families with paperwork and documentation requirements

c. Track student attendance and assist families in overcoming attendance barriers

d. Participate in recruitment efforts for the program

e. Initiate follow up phone calls with families

2) Family Partnership Agreement Process

a. Maintain an active caseload

b. Interview families on the Family Needs Assessment Survey helping families identify areas of strength and possible areas of need

c. Help families identify areas of need based on the Family Needs Assessment and areas where the family wants to form a goal.

d. Support families in efforts to complete family plan as part of the family partnership agreement this may include but not limited to:

i. Seeking/making community referrals for families such as food clothing housing education etc. through community resources available

ii. Providing contact information referrals help families schedule the appointments etc.

iii. Provided crisis intervention partnerships (i.e. good relationship with the Rescue Mission to assist families in housing crisis-homelessness)

e. Home visits (or where safety is an identified concern a neutral safe setting) that the family and family service worker have an opportunity to form a trusting relationship in which families are encouraged to share current situations barriers etc. that may be impacting their ability to make progress towards their Family Partnership Agreement.

f. On-going documentation - records of attendance/attendance data phone calls referrals changes of family information and goal progress

3) Professional Responsibilities

g. Documentation and reporting of family interactions and communication

h. Building duties (i.e. answering phones greeting students and families)

i. Participate in the creation of program School Readiness Goals

j. Attend building grant and district required meetings (i.e. pertinent faculty meetings family meetings professional development opportunities)

k. Stay current on Head Start Performance Standards and Program Instructions

l. Provide support in the area of health documentation

m. Assist in developing and implementing monthly family engagement events

n. Other duties as assigned

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

* Basic computer skills in Google and Mircrosoft Office

* Documentation skills

* Experience and comfort with making presentations

* Ability to collaborate and work constructively in a team

* Thorough written and verbal communication skills

* Ability to work independently as well as in a team

* Good attention to detail

* Ability to work with families with special needs challenging behaviors and who are culturally diverse

* Experience following confidentiality guidelines

* Enhance the effectiveness of Head Start Services

* Establish and maintain effective working relationships with program staff

* Positive attitude compassionate and dedicated to helping others