What are the responsibilities and job description for the Family Advocate position at Episcopal Children's Services, Inc.?
Job Type
Full-time
Description
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
Primary responsibilities: To enroll eligible children and families in the Head Start/Early Head Start program and maintain center enrollment. To build professional helping relationships with families in order to develop family support plans that help families towards increased self-reliance and healthy
interdependence. To ensure that Families’ strengths and needs are assessed and that appropriate referral and follow-up services are provided.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIP:
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Salary Description
$22.93 - $23.95 per hour
Full-time
Description
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
Primary responsibilities: To enroll eligible children and families in the Head Start/Early Head Start program and maintain center enrollment. To build professional helping relationships with families in order to develop family support plans that help families towards increased self-reliance and healthy
interdependence. To ensure that Families’ strengths and needs are assessed and that appropriate referral and follow-up services are provided.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Work with Childcare Resource & Referral to obtain referrals of prospective eligible children & families.
- Recruit children/families, interview applicants, complete applications and enter applications into ChildPlus.
- Maintain an accurate prioritized listing of eligible children waiting to enter the program.
- Enroll and re-enroll eligible children who have the highest priority according to the selection criteria.
- Maintain qualifying roster and child participation forms for USDA food program.
- Maintain on-going maximum center enrollment.
- Monitor children’s attendance for excessive absences or irregular attendance.
- Maintain current health records on all children enrolled.
- Assist with screenings as needed.
- Work with the Head Start support staff to ensure children receive the health, mental health, and/or special needs services they may be eligible for.
- Gather and maintain accurate non-federal share records and other documentation of parent involvement activities.
- Meet with families to gather information regarding family strengths and needs and develop a family support plan that includes goals, tasks, timelines and follow-up.
- Provide referral to families to appropriate service providers that will help meet the families’ interests and needs.
- Provide timely follow-up to referrals and family support plans.
- Maintain accurate documentation of family files and family services provided.
- Use the Office of Head Start Parent Family Community Engagement Framework and the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework as a tool to provide families will support and services.
- Plan and attend monthly parent meetings, workshops, trainings, and other parent engagement and literacy activities.
- Develop and distribute center newsletters, calendars, and flyers.
- Attend community inter-agency meetings to inform and update the community of services offered by Head Start and encourage collaboration.
- Ensure policy council representation is met for each scheduled meeting.
- Participate in school readiness transition activities.
- Advocate on behalf of ECS4Kids Head Start and the children and families enrolled in the program.
- Submit accurate reports as requested.
- Continue to pursue education and/or professional development goals.
ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIP:
- This position reports to the Family Services Manager
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- High School Diploma or equivalent required; Associate degree in Social Work, Psychology, or other human services related field and experience working with populations served by the grant, expectant women and children birth through age four preferred
- An unrelated degree with six credit hours in relevant subjects (e.g., family systems, case management, counseling, social work, etc.) may satisfy the requirements
- Ability to safely transport families to appointments, Central office, etc. when necessary
- Knowledge and experience related to child development and early childhood education; the principles of child and expectant women health, safety, and nutrition; adult learning principles, and family dynamics
- Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from all members of the staff and the general public with varying abilities
- Ability to communicate with and motivate families to achieve set goals
- Knowledge of community resources and the skills to link families, especially those coping with crisis, with appropriate agencies and services
- Able to maintain a flexible working schedule in order to accommodate families and program activities, which include some evenings and weekends
- Ability to demonstrate problem solving skills, counseling skills, and empathy toward needs of parents
- Knowledge of applicable safety and abuse-reporting procedures
- Ability to work independently with little direct supervision
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office products at an intermediate to advanced level
- Ability to maintain confidential information
- Ability to plan and organize work as well as maintain records and prepare reports
- Ability to multi-task, prioritize and work in fast-paced environment
- Valid driver’s license and proof of automobile coverage
- Satisfactory Driving Record (as outlined in Vehicle Driving Policy)
- Complete 24 hours of in-service/professional development training hours each fiscal year (July- June)
- Must have current First Aid and Pediatric Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training
- Works inside in a childcare setting
- Travel to multiple sites required
- Acceptable eyesight & hearing (with or without correction)
- Ability to communicate both orally and in writing
- Ability to access file cabinets for filing and retrieval of data
- Ability to sit at a desk and view a display screen for extended periods of time
Salary Description
$22.93 - $23.95 per hour
Salary : $23 - $24
