FAMILY ADVOCATE

REPORTS TO: All Coordinators in consultation with the Head Start Director 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Prefer an Associate of Arts in Social Work or similar field (minimum of a High School Diploma) 
• Community Resource Knowledge
• Must provide transportation
• Valid Driver’s License
• Availability for night visits
• Computer knowledge

JOB GOAL: To provide support to assigned families as they work to strengthen their family units and 

improve the quality of their daily lives. To serve as an advocate between the family, the program, and the 

community.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Family Advocate will:

• Adhere to all items in the Head Start Program Performance Standards, Rutherford County Schools Board of Education Policies and Procedures, and Rutherford County Schools Head Start Staff Handbook.
• Complete the Family Partnership Agreement (FPA) and other necessary forms.
• Assist families in accessing community resources and accompanying them to appointments when needed.
• Assist the families with the completion of the Family Interest Survey. 
• Summarize the results of the Family Interest Survey on the Family Interest Survey Log and submit this to the Family and Community Partnership Coordinator so that trainings can be planned.
• Assist the Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, Attendance (ERSEA) and Transition Assistant with recruiting and enrolling eligible children into the Head Start and Early Head Start programs.
• Complete the Family Tracking Form, ensure student files are complete, and report to the appropriate coordinator regarding each family’s status.
• Work with the teachers and Data Entry staff to track classroom attendance following the Absences-Children Procedure in the Staff Handbook.
• Assist the Teacher and Principal in contacting the necessary people when children are not met at the bus stop or are not picked up by the scheduled time or when program requirements are not met.
• Report all classroom vacancies to the ERSEA Assistant by completing and submitting a Withdrawal Form within two working days of the vacancy.
• Assist the Coordinators with all screenings, scheduling any follow up appointments, sending notices, and making home visits when other means of contact have been unsuccessful.
• Ensure timely and accurate submission of information to Data Entry.
• Conduct home visits with teachers, coordinators, and other staff as needed.
• Be available to assist Community Resource Agencies with visits to the centers.
• Be available for child care and transportation to meetings and appointments as needed to support families in participating in the program.
• Maintain accurate records and ensure confidentiality following all policies and procedures.
• Visit a child’s home when all other means of contact have been unsuccessful.
• Attend workshops, conferences, and seminars to keep abreast of current developments in family and community partnerships.
• Perform other duties as assigned by his/her supervisor.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENTS: Salary, fringe benefits, and work year established by the Rutherford County Board of Education.

EVALUATION: Performance of this job will be evaluated using the Rutherford County Schools Evaluation Form for paraprofessional personnel.

DISCLAIMER 

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to this job.