PURPOSE:

The Family Advocate (FA) establishes and maintains relationships with families based on trust and respect. Advocates provide support to families in the Head Start program helping them in achieving their family goals and success. The FA works with families in the areas of Social Services, Health, Nutrition, Disabilities, Mental Health, and Parent Engagement. They develop compassionate partnerships with families and provide referrals and support in accessing community resources for needed services. The FA assists families in crisis and supports the culture and value of each family. Advocates are responsible for meeting Head Start performance standards and following the Agency policies and procedures.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:

I. ERSEA (Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance)

A. Actively conduct outreach, recruitment and registration;

B. Work closely with teacher(s) and families to address child attendance concerns.

II. FAMILY SERVICES

A. Develop strong working relationships with families to facilitate the development of goals relevant and meaningful to each individual family.

· Complete, update and maintain all relevant forms (electronic, paper, etc.) in an accurate and timely manner;

· Conduct a minimum of one home visit contact per family per program year;

· Provide support, education and resources to parents to ensure the health and well-being of their child;

· Assist families in obtaining current, up-to-date preventative medical, dental, mental health, disabilities, and nutrition requirements, including all necessary referrals and follow-up;

· Obtain appropriate release of information forms;

· Assist families in accessing services and address barriers to service, as needed, including advocacy with service providers when appropriate;

· Maintain active and current documentation of needed treatments, follow-up efforts and plans made with families.

III. ASSIST FAMILIES IN CRISIS

A. Provide referrals or resources as appropriate.

B. Support families in making decisions and taking active steps to address the crisis.

IV. DOCUMENTATION, RECORD KEEPING, AND REPORTING

A. Maintain accurate, organized and up to date documentation of all efforts and contacts in working with families.

B. Complete, collect and report required data within set timeframes (e.g., changes to address, phone, medication, etc.).

C. Maintain proper records and receipts for FA purchase orders and petty cash.

V. COMMUNICATION, DEBRIEFS, CHILD STAFFING/CONSULTATIONS

A. Communicate and debrief with staff at center, in classroom and in meetings as scheduled.

· Attend and participate in center, department and agency meetings and trainings as assigned;

· Participate in weekly child staffings as scheduled with education team(s);

· Participate in consultations and child guidance meetings as requested;

· Attend other interagency meetings, as scheduled;

· Maintain ongoing communication with teacher(s) regarding shared children and families;

· Maintain ongoing communication with Department Supervisors and Site Managers regarding workflow and assigned children and families.

VI. PARENT ENGAGEMENT

A. Engage parents as full partners in the education of their child and their preparation for kindergarten.

B. Encourage and maintain active parent leadership in the center, providing parents opportunities to be involved in group activities, including Policy Council, Center Parent Committees and educational activities, based on interest and need;

C. Engage parent in contributing to program activities and services through volunteering, community service, etc.

D. Work with other staff to engage parent in individualized goals and interactive activities with their child at school, at home and in the community.

E. Assist parents as adult learners to recognize and address their own literacy goals.

F. Link parents to and support them in training that contributes to self-sufficiency.

G. Support and assist families in transitioning to kindergarten; link parents with their child’s next school.

VII. COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

A. Develop and pursue relationships with community providers in order to advocate for the needs and interests of Head Start families.

B. Participate with a specific community partner to exchange knowledge and develop collaboration.

C. Be an ambassador for the program in the community.

VIII. INTERACTION WITH CHILD, COLLABORATIVE, PARENTS AND CO-WORKERS

A. Must relate in a positive, nurturing way, both verbally and physically, and be sensitive to the needs of children, parents and co-workers.

B. Must use quick, safe reactions and responses in dealing with children or situations that involve children.

IX. WORK ENVIRONMENT AND SAFETY

A. Maintain a safe and pleasant work environment.

B. Maintain agency work site equipment and materials.

C. Follow safety regulations, policies and procedures.

D. Actively contribute towards promoting a safe workplace/environment.

X. OTHER DUTIES

May be assigned other related duties as appropriate and within the scope of general responsibilities for this position. However, this job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties that may need to be performed by the employee fulfilling this position. This job description describes the general nature and level of work, but is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties which may be required. Working conditions include indoor office and preschools, frequent local travel and occasional out of town travel.

REQUIRED JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Education: High school diploma or equivalent required and 18 months of employment related experience and be able to obtain a credential or certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling or a related field within 18 months of hire;

OR

Degree or certificate related to the work, i.e., social work, human services, family services, counseling, or related field. (Some community colleges offer a Family Support Worker certificate program.)

Possession of a degree unrelated to the work (i.e., in a field other than those stated above) will be required to have 9 months of employment related to the position and be able to obtain an approved credential or certificate in social work, human services, family services, counseling or related field within 18 months of hire.

Experience: Minimum two years in social services with adults and work with low-income families preferred.

Essential Skills: Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills. Ability to work as a team player. Proficiency in basic computer software, group facilitation and intervention skills. Ability to engage in meaningful partnerships with families, co-workers and community members.

Bilingual Family Advocate must possess sufficient English/Spanish language proficiency to facilitate interpretation and translation of data in all forms. Must have the ability to provide accurate information to children, families and the public who require interpreting and translation assistance.

Essential Mental Abilities : Ability to multi-task, exercise logical judgment, analyze, organize and prioritize. Ability to work with staff, child and family diversity. Must be self-directed, collaborative and able to embrace unconditional positive regard for others. Ability to accept, reflect and act upon feedback. Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Essential Physical Requirements : Ability to occasionally lift/carry up to 40 lbs. a distance of 10 feet and to push/pull up to 40 lbs. a distance of 10 yards. Ability to sit for extended periods of time. Sufficient mobility and range of motion to perform intermittent standing, walking, balancing, stooping, bending, crouching, crawling, reaching, squatting or kneeling, twisting and ascend/descend stairs/steps. Ability to intermittently perform physical requirements of bus monitor duties. Ability to operate a motor vehicle. Sufficient vision and hearing to perform job duties. Sufficient manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination to perform job duties.

Exposure to Hazards : Repetitive motion tasks, sitting for long periods of time, use of personal computer and other office equipment. Unpredictable child and parent behavior, exposure to contagious conditions, hazardous chemicals and driving and riding in motor vehicles and school buses.

EMPLOYMENT CONTINGENT UPON:

Pre-employment health screening as required by Agency and position (may include, but is not limited to: drug screening, occupational health screening and/or functional testing)

Central Background Registry enrollment

Valid Oregon Driver License

Proof of current personal automobile insurance in accordance with agency policy

Three (3) years DMV court print driving record

Approval to drive from Agency insurance carrier – requires at least 21 years of age

Reports to: Site Manager