Family Advocate - FULL TIME, NO WEEKENDS!

Make a lasting difference in the lives of children and families in your community!

We’re seeking a compassionate, dedicated Family Advocate to join our Early Childhood Program. This role is perfect for someone who thrives on building meaningful relationships, supporting families through resources and advocacy, and helping children grow in safe, healthy, and nurturing environments.

Why You’ll Love Working With Us:

• Monday–Friday schedule – no weekends!

• Paid holidays competitive PTO

• Health, dental, and vision insurance

• Supportive, mission-driven team

• Make a real difference in family stability, child development, and community connection

• Opportunities for professional development and training

The Family Advocate is key in crucial connections with enrolled families. This position develops family partnerships with each participating family in accordance with the family’s interests, needs, and goals. They assist and support center-based families within the Parent, Family, and Community Engagement (PFCE) Outcomes Framework. They are accountable for these connections, the documentation of interactions with families, and for much of the data collection that informs continuous PFCE program improvements. Their work with families helps ensure children are safe, healthy, and engaged in positive relationships.

Essential Functions

Functional Area: Family and Community Partnerships – Estimated Effort: 40%

Responsibilities, Deliverables, Outcomes and Expectations:

• Build trusting and respectful relationships with families that integrate their values, beliefs, and caregiving practices.

• Make regular home visits and contacts with assigned caseload to build strong partnerships with families.

• Complete Family Strength Surveys and develop Family Partnership Agreements to assist families in meeting their needs, goals, and interests.

• Identify family strengths, provide education on community resources, offer support and encouragement, and develop strategies for goal attainment based on individualized plans.

• Make appropriate referrals and follow up in a timely manner on service delivery.

• Assist families in becoming self-sufficient through case management services.

• Collaborate with other departments and agencies to meet family needs and share information about community resources.

• Advocate for assigned families, making referrals and following up to ensure needs are met.

• Support parents in assuming the role of their child’s first and best teacher.

• Assist parents in advocating for their child’s needs with agencies, schools, and during program transitions.

• Alert the Family Services Manager to extraordinary social service needs of families.

• Demonstrate passion for achieving positive child and family outcomes through high-quality family engagement.

• Develop knowledge of high-risk behaviors, domestic violence, mental health disorders, substance abuse, and family/child health needs; provide referrals and support as needed.

• Assist families with transportation to services when no other options are available.

Functional Area: Child Development / Health / Disabilities – Estimated Effort: 9%

Responsibilities, Deliverables, Outcomes and Expectations:

• Assist teachers with parent orientation for Head Start families.

• Assist with completing screenings within 45 days of enrollment and in classrooms or buses as needed.

• Follow up on absentee reports, educating parents on the importance of attendance and strategies to improve it.

• Transport assigned children home from classrooms as needed.

• Assist in scheduling children’s health and follow-up appointments; provide education on well-child care.

• Provide safe transportation to appointments when other options are unavailable, ensuring proper child restraints.

• Visit assigned classrooms at least twice weekly.

• Substitute in classrooms as assigned.

• Assist families with transportation to health and IEP appointments when necessary.

• Share relevant family information with center staff to address family and child development/behavioral issues.

• Schedule monthly meetings with staff to review family and child needs, health issues, attendance, referrals, and progress.

• Participate in mini-staffing meetings as appropriate.

• Demonstrate knowledge of child development (birth to five) and make referrals as appropriate.

• Demonstrate knowledge of Conscious Discipline and other parenting programs; encourage parent participation in meetings and use of strategies at home.

Functional Area: Enrollment, Recruitment, Selection, Eligibility, Attendance – Estimated Effort: 8%

Responsibilities, Deliverables, Outcomes and Expectations:

• Complete re-enrollment packets and collect documentation for returning children; keep coordinator informed of enrollment intentions.

• Recruit siblings from enrolled families and assist in general recruitment and service advertisement.

• Attend annual training on program eligibility requirements.

• Follow up on absentee reports as assigned.

• Assist with enrollments when enrollment staff are unavailable or during special events.

Functional Area: Program Design and Management – Estimated Effort: 36%

Responsibilities, Deliverables, Outcomes and Expectations:

• Complete timely, comprehensive data entry in ChildPlus for all family-related information, including surveys, agreements, goals, referrals, outcomes, and PIR data.

• Forward ChildPlus monitoring forms to the Family Services Manager at initial entry and end-of-year updates.

• Complete monthly and other assigned reports.

• Document contacts and meetings with teaching staff monthly.

• Maintain facility security and cleanliness; notify supervisors of issues.

• Request supplies as needed.

• Participate in program planning and ongoing monitoring, including self-assessment and strategic planning.

• Conduct/enter Parent Gauge Interviews twice annually with assigned caseload to assess PFCE outcomes and family satisfaction.

• Assist with other duties as assigned to fulfill Early Childhood Program and/or CAC obligations.

Functional Area: Other Relevant Duties / Information – Estimated Effort: 7%

Responsibilities, Deliverables, Outcomes and Expectations:

• Be accountable for timely, accurate completion of assignments.

• Obtain CDL within 18 months and transport children as required.

• Maintain a pleasant demeanor, positive attitude, team spirit, and professional interactions with children, families, and staff.

• Handle confidential information according to policy.

• Adhere to agency policies and safety procedures.

• Attend and participate in relevant training, community meetings, professional development, and staff meetings.

• Immediately inform supervisor if convicted of a criminal or traffic offense that could affect insurance coverage.

• Avoid personal use of social networking sites during work hours unless program-specific.

Minimum Requirements

• Education: High School Diploma or equivalent; willingness to obtain a credential or certification in social work, family services, human services, counseling, or related field.

• Job-Related Experience: Experience working with vulnerable families in a home setting or in case management.

• People Management Experience: Ability to work in close office settings and collaborate with management to meet program goals.

• Licenses, Certifications, and Accreditations:

  • Complete and maintain Family Development Certification or credential if degree is not in preferred field.

  • Complete and maintain Van Certification / annual T-8 V physical.

  • Updated physical exam and/or T8V exam with immunizations.

  • Provide three references.

  • Pass BCI and FBI background checks.

  • Sign Standards of Conduct form.

  • Receive 15 hours of related training per year.

  • Complete Communicable Disease, CPR, First Aid, and Child Abuse Prevention training.

  • Valid Ohio Driver’s License, reliable transportation, and proof of insurance.

  • Be insurable under the agency’s insurance policy.

  • Possess audio and visual skills to care for young children.

  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree in Human Services, Family Services, Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or related field (Level 9).

• Degree in Early Childhood or related field with 5 years’ experience working with vulnerable families in a home setting (Level 8) – Family Development Certification required within 18 months.

• Home-Based or Center-Based CDA with 5 years’ experience – Family Development Certification required within 18 months.

• High School Diploma or equivalent with 5 years’ experience working with vulnerable families in a home setting and willingness to obtain credential/certification in related field.

• Experience working with low-income families, families with children ages 0–5, and/or pregnant women.

• Preference given for extended experience in home-based family work.