Family Advocate

MVCAA is looking for someone who wants to help fulfill the Community Action Promise and work towards our mission of “Engaging communities and coordinating resources to improve the lives of people experiencing poverty”.  We are seeking a motivated individual willing to advocate for families enrolled in our Head Start / Early Head Start program, support their life goals and aspirations, and establish effective working relationships with various community resources and potential partners in Chariton County. If you are interested, consider applying for the Family Advocate position today! Essential Functions include but are not limited to :   Meeting monthly with assigned families in their home or the environment in which they feel most comfortable that enhances parent-child relationships and supports parents’ role as their child’s first and lifelong educator. Support families’ safety, health, financial stability, and life goals / aspirations. Ensure all health requirements for enrolled children are up to date (immunizations, physicals, dental screenings, vision screenings, etc.), and support families that may need assistance completing those tasks. Develop strong professional relationships with Head Start / Early Head Start teachers, which includes participating in weekly staffing meetings to discuss family successes and challenges, and work together to coordinate resources for families, as well as resources to meet other programmatic requirements such as In-Kind goals.  Participate in various community meetings and events to promote MVCAA programs and services, as well as learn about resources available to better serve our families. Year-round recruitment of eligible Head Start / Early Head Start children into our program.  Work Environment :   The Family Advocate for Chariton County has dual duty stations in Brunswick and Salisbury and is required to work out of both offices weekly.  A company car will be provided. Will be required to do regular visits in families’ homes. Attend community meetings that are beneficial to the agency and families. Requires the use of standard office equipment including computers, phones, photocopiers, laminating machines, etc. Physical Demands :   Must be able to access families’ homes that may have steps, stairs, or require walking long distances to reach. Ability to operate a computer and keyboard, printer / copier, and other office equipment. Ability to operate a motor vehicle and travel by car to meetings at a distance from work site. Ability to do lifting and carrying of not more than 30 lbs. Position Type and Expected Hours of Work : Entry level field staff position Non-Exempt, full-time; 40 hours a week Most generally the daily schedule is 7 : 30am-5 : 00pm, with a 30-minute lunch break.  Some weeks that schedule may have to adjust to meet the needs of parents, such as evening home visits, as well as bi-monthly Family Night events at the Head Start centers. Time must be flexed in the same week to maintain 40 hours. May require some evenings for family nights.   Requirements : High School Diploma or GED Negative results of initial drug testing Family Care Safety Registry and fingerprint criminal background screening with acceptable results Valid driver’s license This position will have an office in Brunswick and Salisbury. MVCAA is an EEOC Company Powered by JazzHR