DAYS/HOURS
Monday - Friday
40 hours/week
240 days/year
BENEFITS
Single subscriber insurance coverage
PAYRATE
$41,256-$44,440 depending on credentials
SUMMARY
Responsible for working in a collaborative effort to provide direct and indirect case management services for the families of children ages birth to five; such services include utilizing relationship-based practice with a systems approach. This includes but is not limited to coordination and promotion of parent education, parent/child wellness, and age appropriate development.
REPORTING RELATIONSHIP
The Head Start Family Advocate reports to the Family Engagement Manager or designee.
QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The following is a list of qualifications for the position, any one of which may be waived by the Board in exercising its prerogative to determine qualifications.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Must have regular, reliable and punctual attendance.
- Participate in and provide support for the recruitment, enrollment, and attendance of eligible children and families to ensure continuous full enrollment.
- Develop an understanding and awareness of community agencies/organizations that provide services to preschool age children and their families.
- Assist parents in establishing and working towards goals for their children and family.
- Provide service coordination/case management, referral and follow-up services to address child and family needs through regular communication including home visits, center visits, phone calls, and letters.
- Conduct screening and/or follow up of young children’s development, health, nutrition, and mental health needs within timelines.
- Maintain and communicate accurate data and information on children and families.
- Provide parent education on various topics which may include but are not limited to age appropriate development, age appropriate discipline techniques, potty training, behavioral issues, safety planning, etc.
- Promote the engagement of families with an emphasis on father/father-figure involvement in all aspects of children’s education and program services.
- Complete Adult Mental Health First Aid training and other trainings as requested.
- Provide home visits with families as directed and as identified by family’s needs.
- Participate in family group events that promote positive family interactions, family learning, etc. including Family Events, Parent Committees or other group events as necessary.
- Attend meetings and program functions, as assigned.
- Maintain positive relationships with staff, parents, program volunteers, and outside agencies.
- Develops and maintains working relationships with peers to promote a positive work culture.
- Participate in and provide support for the recruitment of eligible children and families to ensure continuous full enrollment.
- Actively assist the program in reaching non-federal share/match (in kind) goals, in accordance with federal guidelines.
- Maintains confidentiality.
- Follows all Program, Board, and Policy Council policies, procedures, state laws and regulations, Head Start Performance Standards, and Michigan Child Care Licensing rules.
- Provide support to other positions as required.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
None.
REQUIRED EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work.
- One year of experience in case management (may include social work practicum/internship experience with case management responsibilities)
- Early Childhood Education experience and/or training, preferred.
- Bilingual (English/Spanish), preferred.
- One year of experience working with at risk and diverse populations.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret program policies and procedures. Ability to document case notes per program policies and procedures.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Ability to apply basic mathematical concepts.
REASONING ABILITY
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES
Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory in specific field. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, staff and the community. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both in oral and written form. Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Board of Education policies.
Knowledge, skill and ability in the use of e-mail, internet, spreadsheets and word-processing.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands 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.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. The employee must occasionally kneel, lay or crawl around on the floor. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee is continuously required to interact with the public, frequently must work irregular or extended hours, is directly responsible for the safety-well-being and work output of others and must meet multiple demands from several people. The employee drives while performing the duties of this job and must have reliable, consistent transportation.
The employee is continuously required to interact with, children and families which will call for them to participate in physical activities i.e. jumping, hopping, moving to music, singing, etc.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Requires ability to complete responsibilities which may include climbing multiple flights of stairs and functioning without air conditioning.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
