HEAD START FAMILY ADVOCATE

Job Function:                      Work collaboratively with the families to identify the family’s goals, strengths, and secure necessary services.

Specific Job Duties:

  1. Assist families in completing original enrollment applications for their child or children and ensure all necessary documents for enrollment are collected and filed with the application.
  2. Develop and implement, follow-up and document the family’s Individualized Family Partnership Agreement. This includes:
  3. Family goal setting
  4. Accessing community services and resources
    1. Emergency or crisis assistance in areas such as food, housing, clothing and transportation.
    2. Education and other appropriate intervention, including opportunities for parents to participate in counseling programs or to receive information on mental health issues that put families at risk.
    3. Opportunities for continuing education and employment training and other employment services through formal and informal networks in the community.
    4. Services to pregnant women who are enrolled in programs service pregnant women, infants and toddlers.
    5. Parent involvement including child development and education.
  5. Work collaboratively with all families to identify and continually access, either directly or through referrals, services and resources that are responsive to each family’s interests and goals, including services to children with disabilities.
  6. Schedule and/or document appointments for medical, dental, and disability screenings, evaluations, and complete follow-ups as needed.
  7. Monitor classroom absences to ensure an average daily attendance rate of 85%. Check on children whose absences exceed two days without an explanation.
  8. Secure resources and receive donations from the community; complete In-Kind forms for all donated goods, services, and volunteer hours.
  9. Attend and assist with parent committee meetings within their assigned caseload; encourage family participation.
  10. Conduct initial home visit or center visit or alternate location as desired by family. Follow-up visits will be conducted in person as needed to complete the Individualized Family Partnership Agreement.
  11. Attend workshops, trainings, conferences and meetings as necessary to perform successfully in the job duties.
  12. Must attend required in-service meetings.
  13. Actively participate in the planning of agency events, such as Kidfest and other activities sponsored by EEC.
  14. Responsible for gathering resources that will support contractual match requirements for EEC’s funding sources.
  15. Abide by the policies and procedures as set forth by the EEC Board of Directors and the Policy Council.

Limits of Authority:                       Act under the supervision of the EHS/HS Family Services Manager and assume any duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Education & Experience:             Bachelors degree in human services or social services field.

Employee must complete a DCF literacy course and enroll in and complete the 40-clock hour Introductory Child Care Training

as evidenced by passage of a competency examination within 6 months of hire date.

Three (3) years of successful experience in a social work capacity in providing services to children and families.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:    Ability to work with families of various socio-economic backgrounds.

Must be able to read, write and communicate effectively in English.

Basic computer literacy.

Excellent organizational skills including time management.

Ability to maintain client confidentiality.

Work Environment, Physical and Mental Abilities:

Must submit current physical exam and TB tine screener or test (if needed) on 1st day of employment; re-screens will be required periodically.

Sound mental and physical health.

The work environment is representative of the needs that must be met by an employee to successfully perform

the essential functions of this job.  Work is performed in an office setting.  The noise level is usually moderate to high.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit, stand, walk, talk, read, write, hear and lift up to 40 lbs.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust and focus.

 

Personal Attributes:                  Must meet all requirements as mandated by local licensing authority.

Must be neat, well-groomed and represent EEC as a professional at all times.