HS Fam Child Advocate

Recruitment, screening and enrollment of children and their families for Child Development Services.

Duties and Responsibilities

Each employee is expected to strive for excellence in the performance of their tasks in an efficient manner, exercising good judgment with a dedication to fulfilling the mission of the agency and service to others. Employees are expected to keep informed of community issues, regulations, new research, and trends related to their field of work. Each employee is expected to assist with fund development. Integration of agency programs and services places each employee in a position of cooperation: seeking advice from other employees; sharing of program information; and assisting in other work units when needed. All employees must be conscious of and develop habits in reducing waste, eliminating duplication of services, and improving productivity and cost effectiveness.

In the performance of the job, the following specific policies, procedures, and regulations should be adhered to:

Head Start Program Performance Standards

KCEOC Child Development Policies and Procedures

KCEOC Personnel Policies and Procedures

KCEOC Financial Policies and Procedures

KCEOC Travel Policies and Procedures

The duties of the Family Child Advocate include, but are not limited to:

• Acquire knowledge of and implement accordingly the Head Start Program Performance Standards.

• Become competent in the use of designated computer programs, and use properly in the operations of the Child Development Program.

• Work cooperatively with other Child Development staff in the planning, integration, and implementation of EHS/HS program services for children 0 to 5 years of age.

• Responsible for compiling designated reports in a timely manner.

• Participate in the annual program self-assessment process.

• Gain a working knowledge of all programs operated by KCEOC for the purpose of providing information, making referrals and the delivery of integrated services to clients.

• Preserve the privacy of all children and families enrolled in KCEOC’s Child Development Program by maintaining the confidentiality and security of all family information.

• Responsible for generating an appropriate amount of non-federal share (in-kind) that is reasonable and necessary for the operation of the Child Development Program.

• Responsible for obtaining the annual required number of Child Development training hours per local, state and federal regulations through KCEOC’s Pre-service Training.

In addition, the duties of the Family Child Advocate include, but are not limited to:

• Responsible for the recruitment, screening and enrollment of Head Start children.

• Responsible for: maintaining a waiting list in assigned geographic areas; identifying any problems relating to recruitment and enrollment; determining bus routes, parent concerns, etc.

• Communicating any problems or barriers to effective performance to the Family and Community Services Manager.

• Maintaining assigned number in caseload.

• Responsible for maintaining individual, comprehensive charts for every enrolled family in caseload. Ensuring all required documentation is maintained at all times.

• Completing required home visits per Child Development Policies & Procedures.

• Responsible for assisting families in the completion of a Family Partnership Agreement including strengths, goals, and needs assessment for each enrolled family in assigned caseload.

• Identifying areas of need and working with the management staff in ways the needs can be addressed and developing a plan of action to assist each family.

• Gaining a working knowledge of community and regional resources for the purpose of identifying supportive social, health, educational, emergency and disability services available to Head Start parents and children.

• Communicating any new resource identified to the Family and Community Services Manager and fellow staff.

• Attending designated staff meetings.

• Responsible for assisting in the coordination and conducting of medical screenings of Head Start children and arranging for appropriate follow up for any identified health related problem. Follow up activities include, but are not limited to: making appointments with doctors, specialists or dentists and arranging transportation or transporting children and their parents to appointments.

• Encouraging parents to learn about their child’s development and to participate in screenings and visits to medical professionals.

• Maintaining documentation of all parent contacts and follow-up activities with the family.

• Prioritizing activities in a manner that reflects effective case management of clients, eliminating unnecessary or duplicate travel time/costs.

• Coordinate and assist parents in conducting monthly parent meetings, including selection of Policy Council members and alternates in accordance with the Policy Council By-Laws; coordinate with the Parent Involvement Specialist for training material, advice and concerns that arise from parent meetings; submit parent meeting minutes to the Parent Involvement Specialist monthly; coordinate and assist parents in the election/selection of LAG members, PAC officers, HAC members, and CIC members; be responsible for notifying, transportation of, and assurance to the best of staff ability the attendance of Policy Council and LAG members to scheduled meetings; responsible for arranging and conducting Parenting Skill training at assigned areas utilizing designated curriculum.

• Maintaining an assigned vehicle by keeping it clean; completing a daily safety inspection; reporting any mechanical or performance deficiencies immediately per appropriate procedures.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: Credential or Certification in Social Work, Human Services, Family Services, Counseling, or a related field and work experience

Additional Requirements: Valid driver’s license; reliable transportation; local travel required