FAMILY ADVOCATE
REPORTS TO: Center Manager
DEPARTMENT: Child and Family Development Programs
PROGRAM ASSIGNED: Head Start – Child and Family Development Programs
LOCATION: Center Location
SUPERVISORY: No
FTE STATUS: 100% (approx. 9.5- 11 months)
FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt
SCHEDULE: M-F, 8:00AM-4:30PM
SALARY RANGE: $24.78-$42.39 / Hour
PRIMARY PURPOSE
The family advocate is a link between families and community services. The individual must be able to work with parents, children and staff in a positive manner. The family advocate will support the center staff in establishing partnerships with families to set family goals, complete social services and health services for children.
S/he will support the center staff by encouraging parent and community volunteers in all areas of the program. S/he will coordinate parents in organization of parent events and parent meeting.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Coordinate and encourage parent involvement. Responsible to train community volunteers to work in the center. Recruit and train parent volunteers to assist in all areas of the center, including CTA.
2. Assist Center Manager in following the program recruitment process and participate in recruitment events, including completing the application process.
3. Assist Center Manager in maintaining funded enrollment and maintaining a waitlist so the program can fill any vacancy within 30 days.
4. Assist Center Manager with parent orientation, training and education for parents.
5. Work with Center Manager to ensure social service home visits are completed and documented.
6. Maintain documentation for all social service activities, referrals and family contact.
7. Work with the center manager and staff to ensure services are completed and referrals/follow-up occurs with families.
8. Maintain documentation for all service activities, referrals and family contact.
9. Assist families with establishing a medical and dental home, completing treatment and nutrition surveys as well as updating program tracking of these services.
10. Assist center manager to ensure hearing, vision and other screenings are completed within the program required timelines.
11. Maintain knowledge of available community resources.
12. Must maintain a working knowledge and implement program plans, policies and Head Start Program Performance Standards.
13. Assist with completing necessary Child Plus data entry to help ensure and maintain accurate program data.
14. Maintain good working relationships with community agencies and individuals.
15. Work in a cooperative manner with all staff and program committees to ensure a team approach to the delivery of services to the families and children in Head Start.
16. Must maintain a working knowledge and implement program plans, policies and Head Start Program Performance Standards.
17. Fulfill requirements as a Mandatory reporter.
18. Other duties assigned.
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Assist with the coordination of and encourage parent engagement in all areas of the program.
2. Maintain positive public relations in the community including supporting other CAT programs and activities.
3. Coordinate with teaching staff to follow up on attendance and absenteeism.
4. Participate in center and program staffing events on families.
5. Other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
6. Must be willing and available to work flexible hours, occasional evenings or weekends; also, to include the ability to attend meetings and trainings that may require out-of-town travel and overnight stays.
7. Ensures and maintains strict confidentiality of all sensitive information.
Code of Conduct:
Perform all work in compliance with program plans, policies, Head Start Program Performance Standards, and CAT Codes of Conduct.
Confidentiality:
Respect and maintain program and client confidentiality policies regarding enrolled children and families, personnel issues, and other program operations as appropriate. Continuously ensure strict confidentiality of all sensitive information encountered while performing the duties of the position.
Training:
In consultation with supervisor, develop professional work goals and development plan, participating in training as requested.
JOB/BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES
1. Experience and education in children’slearning styles.
2. Evidence of organizational skills with attention to detail.
3. Must have a current pediatric and adult First Aid/ CPR cards.
4. Must have dependable transportation and/or valid driver’s license and auto insurance.
5. Evidence of ability to work in a cooperative team manner, coordinate directly with members of management, able to follow directions and program rules and policies.
6. Must be on the Central Background Registry, pass a pre-employment drug screening and have completed a TB screen.
7. Must be willingand available to work flexible hours, occasional evenings or weekends; also, to include the ability to attend meetings and trainings that may require out-of-town travel and overnight stays.
8. Must have working knowledge and skills with computers including Microsoft Office, Adobe, Google Drive, etc.
9. Ability to work with families from a diverse population.
10. Ability to de-escalate situations effectively, and to problem solve efficiently and bring issues to resolution.
11. Ability to maintain attention to detail and return to task quickly despite constant interruptions.
12. Ability to effectively communicate positively, respectfully, sensitively and confidentially in a professional manner with children, families, community partners and co-workers in both verbal and written format.
13. Ability to work with low-income and/or special needs families, including families in a diverse population with dignity and respect.
14. Must have intermediate working computer knowledge and skills.
15. Evidence of ability to work in a cooperative team manner, coordinate directly with members of management, able to follow directions and program rules and policies.
COACHABILITY - JOB DESCRIPTION ESSENTIAL FUNCTION
1. Complete designated job tasks, special projects and all other duties as assigned to meet team, department, and Community Action Team, Inc. goals, while working cooperatively, efficiently, and productively in a team environment.
2. Actively demonstrate high levels of employee engagement, accountability, coachability, and responsibility for personal performance and results.
COACHABILITY – JOB DESCRIPTION KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS ABILITIES
1. Growth Oriented- Seek out and approach training opportunities with active engagement and curiosity, while learning and exhibiting understanding of Community Action Team, Inc policies, protocols, and performance expectations. Demonstrate initiative to incorporate and implement learning principles from informal and formal training, as well as feedback from leaders and co-workers. Actively pursue professional development opportunities to add value to Community Action Team, Inc, including learning, adopting, and quickly adapting to new techniques and technologies used in the changing utility industry.
2. Accountable- Actively demonstrate accountability and responsibility for both work product results and the impact behaviors and decisions may have on the ability of others to do their jobs well. Work cooperatively in a team environment, while consistently demonstrating collaborative, respectful and productive work habits.
3. Coachable- Receive, interpret, and implement job-related instruction, guidance, coaching, and training (both formal and informal) while progressively improving skills and overall success in performing assigned duties. When issues of poor performance of negative behaviors are raised, incorporate feedback in a constructive manner that demonstrates understanding of the concern and an ability and willingness to achieve the required consistent and sustained improvement.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Minimum:
1. As required in Performance Standards, must have a credential or certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling or a related field or completed within 18 months of hire.
2. Minimum of one year of experience in the Social Service or related field with ECE experience.
3. Must have current pediatric and adult First Aid/CPR cards within 90 days of hire.
PREFERRED:
1. Bachelor’s degree in Human Studies or related field
2. Knowledge of adult learning styles
3. Bilingual skills
PHYSICAL DEMAND
Lifting, Pulling, Reaching, Manipulating, Keying/typing, Sitting, Standing, Walking, Stooping, Bending, Kneeling
MENTAL OR VISUAL DEMAND
Frequent mental and/or visual attention; the flow of work is either intermittent or the process involves intermittent checking or interacting with others.
WORKING CONDITIONS
This position is typically performed under reasonably good working conditions; while exposure to any or all of the above elements may occur, such exposure is generally not present to the extent of being disagreeable.
ATTENDANCE
1. Typical schedule is Monday-Friday
2. Hours are generally 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM with occasional need for weekend or off-hours to support for events, trainings, etc.
SAFETY
Compliance with regular safety guidelines is acceptable.
CERTIFICATES/LICENSES
1. Food Handler’s
2. Driver license
3. First Aid & CPR – Adult/Children
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $24.78 - $42.39 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
