What are the responsibilities and job description for the Early Head Start-Child Care Family Advocate - Pushmataha and Choctaw County position at LIFT Community Action Agency, Inc.?
JOB SUMMARY:
The EHS-CC Family Advocate is responsible for providing family service assistance for families with children enrolled in the LIFT CAA Early Head Start Program. Shares a general responsibility for the safety and well-being of all the children enrolled in the LIFT CAA Early Head Start program.
The EHS-CC Family Advocate has the general responsibility for family support services including implementing, coordinating and providing direct case management services to EHS-CC families, developing and implementing partnerships with EHS-CC families including Family Partnership Agreements. Must coordinate/provide training to parents and community agencies; monitor the implementation of social services, parent involvement, volunteer services, and community partnerships and assist with the health and other support services provided to families. Must be able to read, speak and write with proficiency in English Language.
In conformance with Head Start Performance Standards, assist families to build on their strengths and develop plans to address areas of concern, including job market assistance, and resource identification. This is a safety sensitive position.
ON THE JOB SKILL REOUIREMENTS:
Must demonstrate ability to work effectively with people, possess excellent problem solving, planning, and organizational skills. Be patient, able to resolve conflicts, gentle, kind, creative, resourceful, detail and multi-task orientation with a strong desire to succeed and be able to cope well with stress.
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS/WORKING CONDITIONS:
Enclosed facility, classroom and office environment; floors may be vinyl tile or carpeted; may come into contact with childhood diseases and blood on occasion; occasional home visits are conducted in family homes.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Responsible for case management. Conduct regular case reviews of all EHS-CC child/families assigned. Complete home visits, data collection, record keeping, and other responsibilities in case management. Establish and maintain a current and accurate record keeping system, within program procedures, with adequate provisions for confidentiality.
- Ensure all child/family files are up to date and accurate. Complete and ensure accurate data entry for all enrolled families.
- Implement goals, policies, procedures and activities designed to provide the full range of family support services in compliance with Head Start Performance Standards, including assisting families with obtaining health and dental services, and other child/family services identified, as part of ongoing case management. Provide individual and group services to EHS-CC families. Design and implement a formal system of follow up with families on referrals to community agencies, to assure the satisfactory provision of services.
- May be required to substitute in the Early Head Start Classroom as needed.
- Coordinate and develop linkages between other family support service agencies to provide better service delivery to EHS-CC families. Serve as an advocate for Early Head Start families within the community. Train and support EHS-CC parents to advocate for themselves and their families. Assist with compilation of resource manual.
- Ensure participation in parent involvement activities, as per Head Start Performance Standards, including assisting with organizing and providing ongoing support to the Parent Classroom Committee. Participate in monthly classroom Parent Meetings with Teacher and parents.
- Complete required home visits and parent contacts according to program schedule, policy and procedures.
- Help families identify and access needed resources including; health, mental health, social services, education and job training. Support family goal development. Coordinate/provide training for parents, and the community in all aspects of family support services, as determined by Family Assessments.
- Assist families in obtaining medical and dental services. Keep accurate records of results and document follow-up services. Refer children for further evaluation as necessary.
- Assist classroom staff and parents in developing transition plans for Early Head Start entering Head Start center.
- Conduct/assist with child developmental screening and health screening for: hearing, vision, height, and weight as required. Conduct other developmental and behavioral screenings within designated time frames. Schedule and follow up with medical and
dental appointments in a timely manner. Participants in IEP and IFSP staffing, as required.
- Ensure and maintain accurate, up to date, records according to HS Performance Standards and program procedures, with adequate provisions for confidentiality. Ensure all child/family files are up to date and accurate, accurate data entry and confidentiality.
- Maintain an environment that is tolerant and respectful of child and family cultures, values and differences. Assist Non-English-speaking families.
- Provide all information requested for program documentation in a timely manner.
- Smoking will not be allowed on LIFT CAA property. No vulgar language is allowed. Cell phone use will be limited to emergency use only.
- Must be able to sit and eat with children at mealtimes sharing the same menu. A physician's statement must be obtained for special dietary needs. Pleasant child-oriented conversation should take place during mealtimes. No sodas, tea or other drinks other than water is allowed to be consumed while children are present.
- Assist other staff with projects as requested. Perform other duties as assigned and reasonably within scope of duties listed above.
- Report to work at scheduled times and maintain good attendance. Perform all duties in a timely and professional manner. Participate with a positive attitude and behavior in all program activities.
- Keep all assigned records accurate and current as appropriate. Keep all records and family information confidential.
- Continue professional growth by participating in classes, training programs, workshops/conferences, as the budget allows. Attend and participate in staff meetings, Inservice training, parent meetings and any other training, meeting or workshops as deemed necessary by the HS/EHS/EHS-CC Director or Executive Director.
- Become knowledgeable and maintain an understanding and support the philosophies, theories and the mission of Early Head Start/Head Start and LIFT Community Action Agency, Inc.
- The listed job functions, duties and responsibilities do not necessarily include all activities that the incumbent may perform. Nothing herein restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
SUPERVISORY RELATIONSHIP:
The EHS-CC Program Family Advocate reports directly to the Assistant Director and exercises no supervision over other employees.
EDUCATIONAL and OTHER OUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in Sociology field or obtain Family Development Credential within 18 months of hire.
- Must be CPR certified instructor as soon as classes are available.
- Obtain and maintain first aid and infant/toddler CPR certification within 90 days from the date of hire.
- Obtain required criminal record check clearance prior to hire and during employment as required. Must not have pending charges, entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, or been convicted of: any criminal activity involving violence against a person; child abuse or neglect; possession, sale or distribution of illegal drugs; sexual misconduct; or an act of gross irresponsibility or disregard for the safety of others or a pattern of criminal activity; or required to register pursuant to the Sex Offender Registration Act or any person required to register under the Mary Rippy Violent Crime Offenders Registration Act
- Must provide documentation of physical health examination; obtain an annual health exam, and TB screening.
- Must provide own reliable transportation, and valid Driver's License. Daily driving is required.
In lieu of education requirements, experience may be considered.
MENTAL AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS/ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS:
- Constantly must be able to sit/stand in a stationary position 50% of the time.
- Frequently must be able to move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
- Frequently must operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer.
- Frequently must communicate with staff and others who have inquiries about the program.
Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
- Occasionally must move/carry items weighing up to 30 pounds or more.
- Frequently must be able to lift at least 40 pounds and lift arms above shoulder, and spend time daily sitting on the floor with children.
- Constantly must visually monitor the behavior, learning, and activities of children.
I have read and understand the job description listed above. My questions have been answered. I am fully qualified for this position and can perform the duties as described. I understand that this is not an exhaustive list of all my duties and responsibilities. I understand that Management (and no other) reserves the right to revise this job description as deemed necessary.
LIFT Community Action Agency, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity provider and employer. The functions, qualifications, requirements, and physical demands listed in this job description represent the essential functions of the job, which the employee must be able to perform either with or without reasonable accommodation. As an equal opportunity provider and employer, LIFT CAA will make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform their job duties/functions. The listed job functions, duties and responsibilities do not necessarily include all activities that the employee may perform. Nothing herein restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. This position is Non-Exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and its amendments.
Salary : $30,326
