Family Advocate

REACH-UP, INC

Position Description

P.C. Approval: 02/24/2015

Board Approval: 02/25/2015

Job Title: Family Advocate

Exemption Status: Exempt

Job Specifications

Factor Level

EDUCATION B.A./B.S. Degree in Social Work or related field preferred

A.A. Degree in Social Work or related field required

JOB RELATED EXPERIENCE 1 year

SUPERVISION GIVEN None

SUPERVISION RECEIVED Family Engagement Coordinator

WAGE RANGE $22.01-$25.86

HOURS 20 hours per week

BENEFITS “All” with a regular schedule of 30 hours/week, Voluntary with < 30 hours.

Job Summary: The Family Advocate is responsible for acting on behalf of Early Head Start or Head Start families and working with them to address their social services needs, identify strengths, set/accomplish goals and transition families into the next setting for their child.

Essential Functions and Duties:

1. Gathers, prepares and maintains documentation for assigned families accurately and completely, including newly enrolled families.

2. Works with assigned families to understand and make referral to Social Services and Educational entities, offer Transition services to current and past Head Start families.

3. Maintains strict confidentiality regarding families, children and agency matters.

4. Attends staff meetings for planning, education and evaluation.

5. Works with Reach-Up Inc. staff to ensure well-coordinated programs and appropriate sharing of information.

6. Recruits families for Reach-Up Inc. programs throughout the year.

7. Works with community agencies on behalf of families to ensure an understanding of their strengths and needs.

8. Conducts intake process and orientation for families.

9. Participates in and/or helps organize community events to recruit or provide social opportunities for families with young children.

10. Maintains a positive work environment by performing and communicating in a professional manner with children, families, co-workers and supervisors.

11. Demonstrates confidentiality in all matters.

12. Maintains a safe workplace and fosters a culture of attention to health and safety.

13. Recruits families for Reach-Up Inc. programs throughout the year.

Reach-Up reserves the right to assign other duties as necessary.

Essential Interpersonal Skills:

1. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships and communication with staff, employees of other agencies, and families.

2. Demonstrates ability to work effectively with diverse populations of staff, students, and parents.

3. Demonstrates respect for the basic dignity of students, teachers, support staff, colleagues and parents.

4. Supports and adapts to change and demonstrates commitment to continuous performance improvement.

Non-Essential Functions and Duties:

1. Transports families to appointments and other activities, as needed and appropriate.

2. Performs general clerical functions.

Skills and Education:

1. A./B.S. degree in social work, education or related field

2. Ability to work independently, listen and communicate effectively and solve problems

3. Organizational skills & ability to maintain accurate and legible documentation

4. Ability to interview to obtain necessary information in person and via the telephone

5. Ability to deal with crisis situations calmly and effectively

6. Knowledge of community resources and understanding of social service networks

7. Computer skills and familiarity with software programs

8. Ability to provide own transportation, with 100,000/300,000 liability limits for bodily injury, underinsured motorist and uninsured motorist.

Tools and Materials Used:

The manual dexterity to operate typical office equipment and a vehicle.

Physical Demands:

Ability to deal with crisis situations, conduct home visits, walk up and down stairs, drive a vehicle, use a computer, read materials, communicate verbally, and carry up to 40 pounds.

The Family Advocate is responsible for acting on behalf of Early Head Start or Head Start families and working with them to address their social services needs, identify strengths, set/accomplish goals and transition families into the next setting for their child. This is currently a year-round, 20 hours per week position.