Description

POSITION TITLE: FAMILY ADVOCATE

REPORTS TO: Site Manager

Hourly Rate - $19.47-$20.61

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITY: Operate in compliance with any and all of the policies and procedures as established by NKCAC Head Start and the performance standards as established by the Federal Government regarding program operations to promote and provide quality service delivery to the children, families, and community of our service area.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

Professionalism/Professional Development

1. Work cooperatively with all components of the program (health, nutrition, education, mental health/disabilities, and family services).
2. Maintain the confidentiality of staff and families served.
3. Clear, respectful, and productive communication with site manager, other staff, families, and children.
4. Participate in the annual self-assessment and professional development plan.
5. Attend staff meetings and trainings, as required.
6. Within eighteen months of hire, at a minimum, obtain a credential or certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling or a related field.
7. Collaborate with teaching staff to support each child/family.
8. Provide courteous and positive interaction with parents, staff, and community.

Family Service Requirements

1. Recruit and train parents and community volunteers.
2. Assist in securing in-kind donations to match the required non-federal share amount each program year.
3. Knowledge and ability to confront family concerns and utilize community resources under supervision.
4. Responsible for completion and maintaining all necessary files of assigned caseload.
5. Assist in recruitment and enrollment of children, as outlined in program policies.
6. Encourage parent participation in all aspects of program operations.
7. Advocate for the rights of clients.
8. Assist in developing, updating and utilization of the Community Resource List/Binder for parent and staff reference.
9. Monitor daily attendance records, contacting by phone or home visit any child whose participation is irregular as outlined in program policy. Provide daily follow-up in Child Plus.
10. Submit Family Advocate monthly summary at the end of each month.
11. Attend at least one home visit (per year) and any additional home visits that may be necessary to insure quality service delivery to clients.
12. Review parent handbook thoroughly with each family.
13. Maintain child files with current family and child health information, including referrals, family service plans and activity log. Report change of status promptly to appropriate staff members as outlined in procedures.
14. Follow-up and document to assure delivery of needed service has been completed.
15. Utilize community agencies in identifying needs of Head Start families and work with agencies in the development of plan to meet needs of the family.
16. Ensure that assigned classroom has full enrollment.
17. Assures compliance with all program and grant requirements.
18. Assist in classroom as needed.

Family/Community Engagement

1. 1. Build and maintain family partnerships through adequate communication (i.e. monthly newsletters, home visits, greetings, conferences, family engagement events).
   2. Conduct a minimum of one home visit per year with each family, collaborate with site manager/teaching staff to address family needs.Participate in recruiting children for the program.
   3. Collaborating with family and community volunteers (i.e. Foster Grandparent Program).
   4. Encourage family participation
   5. Conduct Conscious Discipline piece at Parent Committee meetings, monthly.
   6. Complete Parent Gauge surveys twice per year.
   7. Promote and encourage mid/end of the year surveys.
   8. Collaborate with site manager/teaching staff to compile documents for Kindergarten packets.

Health, Safety, and Nutrition

1. Follow established child abuse reporting requirements.
2. Assure compliance with all program and grant requirements.
3. Maintain a clean and organized work area.
4. Attend to sick children according to Sick Child Policy.
5. Ensure that all children have physicals, immunization certificates, and dental exams; monitor follow-up and assist with coordinating transportation for children to health appointments when necessary.
6. Screen all children with parental permission for required medical screenings within 45 days of enrollment.
7. Assist with head lice checks and head lice information to parents.
8. Performance of any other work-related task deemed necessary by direct supervisor.
9. Assist parents in making required appointments for dental, vision, and physical.
10. Complete the 45-day requirements on time (vision and hearing screening).
11. Assist families with obtaining any necessary action plans, modified food forms, or medication forms.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Degree in Social Work, Human/Family Services, Counseling, or related field preferred. High school diploma or GED required.

Computer Skills

Good oral and written communication skills.

Ability to work with people of diverse and varying socio-economic backgrounds.

NKCAC-Head Start cannot employ anyone convicted of a felony or has been found by the Cabinet to have abused or neglected a child.

Must have the ability to stand/walk/run after young children 100% of the time. Ability to lift and/or carry up to 50 lbs up to 50% of the time

Ability to sit at, read, and enter data on computer for prolonged periods of time up to 25% of the time

*NKCAC is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. We strongly encourage people of Color, people with disabilities, women, bilingual people, and former or current recipients of public assistance to apply for available positions.

The employee is expected to adhere to all agency policies and program requirements as required in the completion of this job description and all agency business.

NKCAC IS A DRUG-FREE WORKPLACE

Salary : $19 - $21