The Family Advocate is the outreach person for Catholic Charities Head Start Program, to families of the preschools of the community. She/he coordinates Parent Engagement Activities and is responsible for connecting families with resources and helping families reach self-sufficiency. She/he is responsible for compliance regulations in regard to Head Start Program. Primary responsibility for planning, organizing, and implementing the Family and Community Partnership service area. Recruits, enrolls children, develops and implements Individualized Family Partnership agreements with parents. Acts as community liaison for the agency.

Knowledge:

• This position requires strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills, as well as the ability to manage projects and be attentive to details. It requires the ability to function independently as a leader, delegate and partner with a core management team. The position requires a commitment to excellence in customer service and the ability to work in close collaboration with other agencies in the community. It requires dedication to ensuing the fulfillment of the mission and vision of the agency.
• Family Advocates who enroll Head Start/Early Head Start children must have the knowledge and skill necessary to develop consistent, stable, and supportive relationships with young children and their families, and sufficient knowledge to implement the Head Start Performance Standards and other applicable regulations.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A Bachelor degree in Social Work or a related field of study;
• Must have 3 years of experience in working with children and families; Æ Fluent in written and spoken English.
• Knowledge of community resources and the social services system. Experience organizing, implementing, and managing multiple responsibilities under pressure. Experience in the use of computer data base and/or Word program.

Essential Functions:

• Organizes, facilitates and conducts meetings and training sessions for staff and parents on social service issues and completing all documentation before and after events

Assists parents in developing individualized short-and long-term goals and in accomplishing them.

• Assists in organizing and facilitating all Parent Committee and Policy Committee meetings according to federal HS guidelines, and provides training to parent representatives.
• Attends pre-service training; participates in CCANO pre-service training and maintains ongoing efforts for professional development.
• Maintains organized records of activities related to the Family Partnership Area, including but not limited to, family files/records.
• Coordinates efforts to encourage community members and parents as volunteers.
• Attends all center staffing, staff and management meetings.
• Ensures the delivery of social services, emergency and non-emergency services, directly or through referrals.
• Assists in the development and updating of the Community Resources Directory. Responds to children's daily absences and follows up according to procedure.
• Participate in or facilitate case management.
• Submits accurate, timely reports as requested by Center Director or administration.
• Ensures absolute confidentiality with respect to information records concerning families and children.
• Performs ongoing recruitment, and documents recruitment accurately.
• Assists in the transition of students to Kindergarten or other child care facilities.
• Promote and encourage positive parenting program for preschool families.
• Provides a special focus for the needs of father and father figures.
• Establish and maintain relationships with early childhood education providers and community organizations to coordinate educational services.
• Counsel families on issues and problems related to parenting.
• Participates in parent meetings, workshops and seminars to remain current on issues that affect families. Æ Performs other duties, as assigned.

The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by a person in this position. They are not to be construed as a comprehensive list of all duties that may be performed in such a position.

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to pass a physical exam and TB (Tuberculosis test) yearly.
• Must be able to comply with background check, including fingerprints, as required by the agency and/or Louisiana Licensing Agency.
• Visual acuity within professionally determined normal ranges, with correction if needed. Must be free of communicable diseases and breathing impairments.
• Manual dexterity sufficient to use cleaning supplies and equipment. Must have effective organizational, problem solving, and time management skills.
• Ability to learn and comprehend information from Policy/Procedures Manuals and other materials.
• Must be able to physically move through the center and classrooms. Ability to lift 55 pounds is required. Successful experience working as an effective member of a team desirable and working with a culturally diverse staff & clients desirable.
• Ability to work in another position and at another CCANO Head Start/Early Head Start center when needed.

Reports to:

The Family Advocate is assigned to a Center and she/he reports to the Head Start Center Director, PFCE Coordinator, ERSEA Coordinator, and the Director of Early Childhood Education.

All candidates for employment with CCANO must submit to a criminal records check as a condition of employment. 

New employees will be required to complete a criminal background check prior to employment.

Compliance with the State of LA Child Protection Act and Archdiocese Policy on Abuse and Neglect, to provide for the safety and security of all clients served by CCANO programs. 

Certain programs require additional background checks in addition to the Archdiocesan check. These may include the "State Police Check " and

" The Department of Education".