Why join our countywide agency?

• Because each day we are making a difference in our community, and because we have a positive, employee- and client-centered work culture.

• We pay competitive rates and offer a strong benefits package that includes generous vacation, sick leave and holiday pay, employer-paid medical insurance, a free subscription to the meditation/sleep app Calm, and much more!

• We offer continuous employee education and development and paid clinical supervision.

• We work with our staff to offer flexibility whenever possible.

We look forward to you joining our team at FSA of Santa Barbara County!

The Position

The Family Advocate position is an opportunity to provide crucial resources to families. Family Advocates will team up with families, individuals, and community partners to provide guidance in overcoming challenges and work towards stronger families and stronger communities. Through advocacy, goal setting, and connecting with community resources, the Family Advocate will help families identify challenges, boost their strengths, and help parents learn skills and information to handle stress, build resilience, and create caring environments for their overall well-being.

At FSA, we strive to be a trauma-informed and resilience-oriented organization. Working with people impacted by trauma can be challenging, so we actively support our staff to maintain a healthy and sustainable balance of care for themselves and others.

Sample Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Use assessment abilities and screening methods to determine family goals and decide on the right services (such as case management, providing information and recommendations, and parent education).
• Develop a solid understanding of community resources and consistently offer suitable referrals to help individuals access social, educational, and health services.
• Serve as a support by advocating between the family and community resources to support social emotional well-being, and family wellness.
• Encourage parental strength and social interactions by providing engagement opportunities such as workshops, Parent Café, and more.
• Provide education and resources to increase parent’s knowledge of child development.
• Offer interpretation and translation assistance as needed to facilitate communication between families and community resources.
• Engage in program outreach and represent FSA during collaborative meetings and community events.
• Use databases to keep track of and review program interactions, events, and results.
• Attend meetings with community partners to coordinate services and promote continuity of care.
• Services can be provided in the home, in the community, and/or schools. This may also include schedule flexibility and working evening and/or weekend hours at some point.
• Collaborate closely with various school personnel, such as social workers, administrators, and school liaisons as needed.
• Contribute to program goals and ensure that services provided are within scope of practice.