Family Advocate
Family Services
On-site
North Carolina, United States
Summary:
The Family Advocate works with families to establish and achieve family goals that improve each child’s school readiness. Efficiently and effectively implements quality family engagement activities, in compliance with the Head Start/Early Head Start Family Engagement Framework. Assists with planning and implementation of the HS/EHS ERSEA requirements. Develops and implements activities involving parents and children from the diverse population served. Communicates positively with children, families, and colleagues to meet the individual social, emotional, health, and educational needs of each child. Performs the functions of this position with a strong understanding of the HS/EHS Performance Standards and the component plans and a thorough knowledge and application of appropriate child development practices. Meets all applicable HS/EHS standards and requirements.
Position Responsibilities:
• Delivers services to enrolled families through by planning, developing, implementation in coordination and integration of other content service areas
• Working with the Community Engagement Manager, serves as a resource connecting families with community service providers
• Develops Family Partnership Agreements with families according to their needs and strengths and maintains current family files with documented contacts, referrals, and follow-up activities.
• Maintains confidential family and children records necessary for programming and accountabilities as required by federal, state and local mandates
• Attends parent meetings and parent events as directed by supervisor
• Translates materials and interprets as needed and maintain a resource directory of other diverse cultural related resources available in the community
• Maintains a comprehensive and ongoing portfolio assessment for each child, including weekly observations in each area, examples of the child's work, and developmental assessment completed according to Head Start/Early Head Start procedures
• Conducts home visits, as appropriate
• Attends staff training and meetings, and board and parent meetings as requested
• Assists the Community Engagement Manager in recruiting and orienting volunteers
• Completes and submits required forms and records in a timely and accurate fashion
• Distributes newsletters, flyers, and other information to families as instructed by the supervisor
• Maintains files in a complete, accurate, and confidential manner
• Demonstrates compliance with the Parent Family Community Engagement Framework
• Other duties as required
Position Qualifications:
Required
• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or other related human services field
• Minimum of 1 year of experience in a social services or early childhood position
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel between various agency sites, community resources, and home visits
• Meet federal and state background check and drug screen requirements Preferred
• Proficient in conversational Spanish
• 2 years of case management experience in a Child Development, Head Start, or Early Head Start organization
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Exceptional customer service, and interpersonal skills
• Effective problem-solving and influencing skills
• Strong organizational, self-motivation, and decision-making skills
• Proficiency using Microsoft programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), HRIS, payroll systems and using the internet
• Proficiency using PC, mobile devices, scanner, copier, multi-line phone system, and other office equipment
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, as needed
• Understanding and acceptance of regional cultural, religious and economic differences.
• Demonstrated ability to articulate ideas clearly (both written and orally), listen accurately, and establish personal rapport with people from a variety of backgrounds.
• Ability to maintain dignity and self-control in stressful situations; objective about personal strengths and limitations.
• Proven logical, systematic, integrative, conceptualizing thought process.
• Ability to work outside regular business hours to meet Agency needs
Essential Physical Functions:
The physical demands and work environment characteristics 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.
Physical Activity
• Carrying • Writing • Bending • Stooping • Grasping
• Standing • Twisting • Sitting • Lifting • Walking
• Filing documents • Communicating with internal and external stakeholders
• Using computers, telephone, mobile device, and fax machine keyboards
Physical Requirements
• Push, pull, lift or carry up to as much as 25 pounds occasionally
• Must be able to sit or stand for long periods of time
Visual/Audible Acuity Requirements
• Must be able to read and distinguish small print
• Must have depth perception and be able to distinguish basic colors
• Must be able to distinguish normal sounds with some background noise
• Must be able to speak clearly and make self understood while also understanding others using the English language
The Family Advocate works with families to establish and achieve family goals that improve each child’s school readiness. Efficiently and effectively implements quality family engagement activities, in compliance with the Head Start/Early Head Start Family Engagement Framework. Assists with planning and implementation of the HS/EHS ERSEA requirements. Develops and implements activities involving parents and children from the diverse population served. Communicates positively with children, families, and colleagues to meet the individual social, emotional, health, and educational needs of each child. Performs the functions of this position with a strong understanding of the HS/EHS Performance Standards and the component plans and a thorough knowledge and application of appropriate child development practices. Meets all applicable HS/EHS standards and requirements.
Position Responsibilities:
• Delivers services to enrolled families through by planning, developing, implementation in coordination and integration of other content service areas
• Working with the Community Engagement Manager, serves as a resource connecting families with community service providers
• Develops Family Partnership Agreements with families according to their needs and strengths and maintains current family files with documented contacts, referrals, and follow-up activities.
• Maintains confidential family and children records necessary for programming and accountabilities as required by federal, state and local mandates
• Attends parent meetings and parent events as directed by supervisor
• Translates materials and interprets as needed and maintain a resource directory of other diverse cultural related resources available in the community
• Maintains a comprehensive and ongoing portfolio assessment for each child, including weekly observations in each area, examples of the child's work, and developmental assessment completed according to Head Start/Early Head Start procedures
• Conducts home visits, as appropriate
• Attends staff training and meetings, and board and parent meetings as requested
• Assists the Community Engagement Manager in recruiting and orienting volunteers
• Completes and submits required forms and records in a timely and accurate fashion
• Distributes newsletters, flyers, and other information to families as instructed by the supervisor
• Maintains files in a complete, accurate, and confidential manner
• Demonstrates compliance with the Parent Family Community Engagement Framework
• Other duties as required
Position Qualifications:
Required
• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or other related human services field
• Minimum of 1 year of experience in a social services or early childhood position
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel between various agency sites, community resources, and home visits
• Meet federal and state background check and drug screen requirements Preferred
• Proficient in conversational Spanish
• 2 years of case management experience in a Child Development, Head Start, or Early Head Start organization
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Exceptional customer service, and interpersonal skills
• Effective problem-solving and influencing skills
• Strong organizational, self-motivation, and decision-making skills
• Proficiency using Microsoft programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), HRIS, payroll systems and using the internet
• Proficiency using PC, mobile devices, scanner, copier, multi-line phone system, and other office equipment
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, as needed
• Understanding and acceptance of regional cultural, religious and economic differences.
• Demonstrated ability to articulate ideas clearly (both written and orally), listen accurately, and establish personal rapport with people from a variety of backgrounds.
• Ability to maintain dignity and self-control in stressful situations; objective about personal strengths and limitations.
• Proven logical, systematic, integrative, conceptualizing thought process.
• Ability to work outside regular business hours to meet Agency needs
Essential Physical Functions:
The physical demands and work environment characteristics 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.
Physical Activity
• Carrying • Writing • Bending • Stooping • Grasping
• Standing • Twisting • Sitting • Lifting • Walking
• Filing documents • Communicating with internal and external stakeholders
• Using computers, telephone, mobile device, and fax machine keyboards
Physical Requirements
• Push, pull, lift or carry up to as much as 25 pounds occasionally
• Must be able to sit or stand for long periods of time
Visual/Audible Acuity Requirements
• Must be able to read and distinguish small print
• Must have depth perception and be able to distinguish basic colors
• Must be able to distinguish normal sounds with some background noise
• Must be able to speak clearly and make self understood while also understanding others using the English language
Family Services, Inc. is committed to a diverse and drug-free workforce. EOE Family Services, Inc. values flexibility and the willingness to take on new challenges. As opportunities arise and work responsibilities change, your job description will be adjusted to meet the organization’s needs.