Job Summary:
The Genesee Intermediate School District is seeking a Family Engagement Advocate who is passionate about bringing a focus on positive child and family outcomes to close the achievement gap and build a better future for children, families, and communities served by the Head Start program. The Family Engagement Advocate is responsible for recruiting and serving families and children in the Head Start program. The Family Engagement Advocate assists in planning and implementing family engagement activities and supporting families in meeting basic needs as well as setting goals for personal and family growth. The Family Engagement Advocate maintains an open, friendly, professional relationship with all staff and families and participates in continuous quality improvement activities that strengthen the program and families in the program. Top candidates will recognize and identify each family’s risk and protective factors, respect the diverse cultures and values of each family, and establish professional roles and boundaries while working with families.
Essential Duties (May include, but not limited to):
1. Recruits and enrolls families into the program and shares information about all of our early childhood programs and how to access these services.
2. Assists families in developing Family Partnership Goals using the family centered coaching model to identify family strengths and needs; provides follow up on goals as needed, while providing recommendations, support, and/or referral for relevant community resources.
3. Maintains regular contact with families based on family needs (phone calls, group activities, home visits, and classroom visits) to promote partnerships and regular communication.
4. Implements the Strengthening Families Protective Factors Framework with families as well as the Head Start Parent, Family and Community Engagement Framework.
5. Maintains and documents data such as family goals, family strength & needs, family events, resources, referrals, volunteer hours, etc. in ChildPlus database.
6. Assists with transition surveys and plans of child and family from Early Head Start to Head Start, or into next educational setting.
7. Works with parents to establish and maintain regular attendance for their child. Analyzes the causes of absenteeism and assists with attendance improvement plans for their child in accordance with the MTSS Tiered Attendance Flowchart.
8. Attends and participates in related team meetings, trainings, and professional development.
9. Participates in recruitment efforts/activities for the program throughout the year, with a higher level of participation expected during the summer months. Must be flexible in schedule to accommodate evening and weekend events.
10. Assists in planning, facilitating, and attending parent orientations, parent meetings, parent education, parent activities, and family events.
11. Actively encourages parents to participate in Parent Committee meetings, field trips, Policy Council, and classroom volunteering. Attends field trips and kindergarten round ups as appropriate to support families and classroom team.
12. Advocates and collaborates with community agencies to support child, family, and agency outcomes.
13. Maintains regular contact with children and families in the classroom settings.
14. Assists in facilitating Nurturing Parenting curriculums, and other parent engagement activities to strengthen parenting skills.
15. Assist with planning and implementation of bus transportation services at designated center locations.
16. Collaborates routinely with teaching staff in order to share relevant home information and gain information regarding child and family needs and attend parent teacher conferences.
17. Assists in the completion and documentation of health requirements in goal setting. Supports families in accomplishing health goals and maintaining health requirements.
18. Documents and tracks follow-up needs, Family Partnership Goals, parent contacts, home visits, information in ChildPlus and in the child’s master file.
19. Maintains regular communication with Enrollment Specialist to provide timely information on all health and nutrition updates, attendance plans that may cause slot vacancies.
20. Consistently models Win-Win leadership.
Other Duties:
1. Assists Enrollment Specialist with the completion of enrollments as needed.
2. Performs other duties as assigned.
Bachelor’s degree with a concentration in Social Work, Human Services, Family Services, or Counseling preferred.
Degree Credential or Certification in Social Work, Human Services, Family Services attained within 18 months of hire in addition to a Bachelor’s degree will be considered.
Degree Credential or Certification in Social Work, Human Services, Family Services attained within 18 months of hire without a Bachelor’s degree will be considered.
Experience working with children, three to five. Prefer experience working with low income families in an urban setting. Work experience that demonstrates the ability to work well with community service agencies, complete child development assessments and conduct home visits. Prefer work experience in child development or related service area.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Ability to interact with staff in a team environment. Ability to provide a range of early childhood training and coaching. Knowledge of current research trends in early childhood. Ability to utilize district technology and work to maintain proficiency, as required skills sets change with technology and/or the needs of the district. Capable of working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Demonstrate passion to assist families from diverse, multicultural and at-risk backgrounds. Build relationships with families through learning and collaboration. Assist to equip parents to set and achieve their own goals towards security. Help children and families identify and achieve intentional and individual goals. Must be able to adapt to funders priorities and to assimilate new knowledge needed to meet funding requirements. Strong teamwork, interpersonal communication and problem-solving skills. Demonstrated mental/physical ability and stamina for meeting the essential duties of the position and the ability to travel to and from the intermediate school district, the constituent school districts in the service area and out of town meetings and conferences. Punctuality and good attendance are requirements for the position. Ability to work a flexible workday and work week. Represents the district in a professional manner at all times. Demonstrate honesty, integrity, and professionalism at all times. Ability to exercise good judgment and make decisions in accordance with board policies and established administrative guidelines.
Salary Schedule: Contracted, limited-duration grant-funded; Calendar Year; $17.92 - $27.44 per hour; dependent on degree
Immediate Supervisor: Family Engagement Manager
