What are the responsibilities and job description for the Family Advocate/Support Para position at Wyoming Child & Family Development?
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Family Advocate/Support Paraeducator
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Summary: Family Advocate 25 hours/week
This role is responsible for recruiting and enrolling children into the program. They will collaborate with families to assess their strengths, interests, needs, and aspirations related to family engagement outcomes. The Family Advocate works with a team of staff to address needs through interventions, referrals, and follow-up support. They help families achieve individualized engagement outcomes and establish a partnership process for goal setting, progress review, and strategy adjustments. Promotes Parent, Family, and Community Engagement activities within the center, community, and at the child’s home. Additionally, they provide individualized support in areas such as child development, health, nutrition, and school readiness. This role fosters a collaborative and supportive environment for children and families.
Duties/Responsibilities:
All duties will comply with all rules, regulations, and practices of the agency and its regulating authorities. WCFD standards, DFS licensing, NAEYC guidelines, Wyoming Division of Disabilities regulations, and WCFD policies. All employees will adhere to the mission, vision, values, policies, and procedures of WCFD.
- Recruit children for the program in compliance with guidelines set by the Department of Health and Human Services and Wyoming Child and Family Development, Inc.
- Conduct a minimum of four family visits per year, with two scheduled in the child’s home, to assess family strengths and needs and identify solutions.
- Foster positive parent-child relationships and facilitate connections to peers and the community.
- Assist participants with resources to improve family well-being and maintain contact with community agencies.
- Understand the impact of trauma on participants, supporting their health, healing, resilience, and well-being.
- Establish and maintain secure child and family records in ChildPlus, ensuring all data is accurate and complete.
- Keep data current in ChildPlus, including Family Partnership Goals, health screenings, and notes.
- Organize and facilitate family engagement activities, parent meetings, and trainings with input from families.
- Support parent participation in Parent Group, Policy Council, and other leadership or advocacy efforts on behalf of children and Head Start.
- Encourage family and community member participation in children’s education through volunteering and engagement.
- Ensure completion of health screenings (hearing, vision, development) for all children, maintaining accurate individual health records in ChildPlus.
- Work with educational staff to address children’s medical and oral health needs, making referrals and assisting with follow-up care.
- Inform staff of health or social service needs and collaborate to address them.
- Help families secure medical and oral health homes, schedule appointments, arrange transportation, and assist with obtaining health insurance.
- Promote family engagement and ensure it is central to the program’s approach to partnering with families.
- Assist families during the transition to the next educational setting.
- Ensure ability to perform job functions safely, with or without reasonable accommodations.
- Attend all required training sessions and meetings.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Board or its designee.
Required Skills/Abilities:
- Reliable, organized, and detail oriented
- Must possess strong problem-solving skills
- Demonstrated ability to follow both written and verbal instructions accurately
- Excellent interpersonal skills are required to collaborate with individuals with diverse ranges of personalities, backgrounds, and knowledge bases
- Strong communication skills are essential to interact with staff, children, families, and the broader community.
- Must have effective stress management strategies and the ability to maintain composure in challenging situations.
- Flexibility is key; the ability to adapt to changing daily routines is required.
- Bilingual candidates are preferred.
- Must be able to work well with children (ages 0 through 5 years of age), including those with special needs, and their families.
- Proficient in engaging a diverse range of families, fathers, partners, grandparents, and any significant figures in a child’s education.
- Ability to identify and understand the needs of others, including children and families.
- Skilled in interacting with and engaging both children and adults in a positive manner.
- Knowledgeable about community resources and services, or able to acquire this knowledge, to provide families with relevant information and referrals to address their needs and challenges.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with families, staff, and the community.
- Strong stress management skills and the ability to handle challenging situations effectively.
- Flexible and adaptable, with the ability to adjust to changing daily routines and priorities as needed.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Proficient in stress management and maintaining a calm, organized approach in a fast-paced environment.
Education and Experience:
- Prefer an Associates or Baccalaureate in social work, human services, family services, counseling, or a related field.
- Staff must have within 18 months of hire, at a minimum, a credential or certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling or a related field. An equivalent certification is provided by WCFD.
- Must be willing to attain additional training or certifications, which may be required by Wyoming Child and Family Development, Inc.
- WCFD will only accept college degrees from accredited institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Physical Requirements:
Reasonable accommodations can be made for persons with disabilities. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
- Must possess visual acuity and stamina to read technical material for extended periods of time.
- Be able to sit, stand or walk for long periods of time without fatigue or discomfort.
- Must be able to travel to site locations, meetings and trainings, both in and out of state.
- Must be willing to drive in a variety of weather conditions.
- Must be able to hear and process ordinary conversation and telephone conversation.
- Must be able to tolerate air-conditioned buildings and fluorescent lights.
- Must be able to climb stairs, stoop, kneel, crouch and/or reach, to retrieve materials and supplies from ground level to a height of at least 5 ft.
- Must have upper body strength to lift and carry the equivalent of 50 pounds.
- Must be able to assist a child to safety in case of an emergency.
- Must be able to work in a variety of temperatures, including hot and cold weather.
- Ability to travel across a multi-county region; work in homes, community settings, and office environments; maintain flexible scheduling to meet availability needs.
Job Summary: Support Paraeducator 15 hours/week
In this role, you will assist the classroom teacher in implementing an individualized, developmentally appropriate early childhood education program, with a focus on supporting each child's social competence and school readiness. This role includes helping children develop emotional regulation, positive social skills, and foundational academic skills through play-based learning and structured activities. The Support Paraeducator will provide targeted support to children with unique emotional or developmental needs, ensuring a safe and nurturing classroom environment. By collaborating with both teachers and families, the Support Paraeducator will help create an inclusive space that fosters growth and readiness for school. This position requires a commitment to promoting mental well-being and fostering a positive, supportive learning experience for all students..
Duties/Responsibilities:
All duties will comply with Head Start/Early Head Start standards, DFS licensing, NAEYC guidelines, Wyoming Division of Disabilities regulations, and WCFD policies. All employees will adhere to the mission, vision, values, policies, and procedures of WCFD.
- Recruit children for the program in accordance with guidelines from the Department of Health and Human Services and WCFD.
- Provide care based on knowledge of child development and growth.
- Deliver direct services to children, families, and staff in various settings regardless of weather conditions.
- Communicate positively with staff, children, and families through both verbal and nonverbal methods.
- Work effectively with children who have behavioral concerns, developmental disabilities, and/or learning impairments.
- Assist children in developing social competence by guiding interactions, promoting emotional regulation, and teaching positive social skills. Encourage problem-solving, empathy, and cooperative behaviors in both structured and free-play environments.
- Assist in organizing and implementing group socialization activities for children and families.
- Complete all required paperwork accurately and on time.
- Provide individualized educational activities to help children explore, develop problem-solving skills, and build self-confidence.
- Support Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) and/or Individual Education Plan (IEP) goals in collaboration with teachers, family support providers, and therapists.
- Keep classroom areas clean, organized, and safe.
- Assume full classroom responsibilities when needed.
- Perform minor first aid and routine hygienic care.
- Provide regular care to children, including diaper changes, feeding, and comforting.
- Participate in child screenings as necessary.
- Assist with outdoor and playground activities.
- Perform additional tasks as assigned by the Board or its designee.
Required Skills/Abilities:
- Must demonstrate the ability to work effectively with children ranging from birth to five years old, including those with special needs, and their families.
- Must demonstrate patience, empathy, and a calm demeanor when working with children.
- Should demonstrate an understanding of developmentally appropriate practices and early childhood education principles.
- Must possess strong problem-solving skills and the ability to follow both written and verbal instructions accurately.
- Excellent interpersonal skills are required to collaborate with a diverse range of individuals and personalities.
- Strong communication skills are essential to interact with staff, children, families, and the broader community.
- Must have effective stress management strategies and the ability to maintain composure in challenging situations.
- Flexibility is key; the ability to adapt to changing daily routines is required.
- Bilingual candidates are preferred.
Education and Experience:
- Must have a High School Diploma or a G.E.D. and be 18 years of age (state requirements).
- Must attain additional training or certifications, which may be required by Wyoming Child and Family Development, Inc.
- WCFD will only accept college degrees from accredited institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Physical Requirements:
Reasonable accommodations can be made for persons with disabilities. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
- Ability to read technical materials for extended periods of time.
- Ability to sit, stand, or walk for long periods without fatigue or discomfort.
- Must be able to travel to various sites, meetings, and training sessions, both in-state and out-of-state.
- Must be willing to drive safely in a variety of weather conditions.
- Capable of hearing and processing both in-person and telephone conversations.
- Must be able to work in a variety of temperatures, including hot and cold weather.
- Ability to work in air-conditioned buildings and under fluorescent lighting.
- Must be able to climb stairs, stoop, kneel, crouch and/or reach, to retrieve materials and supplies from ground level to a height of at least 5 ft.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
- Must be able to assist children in emergency situations and provide first aid when needed.