Family Service Advocate

JobID: 4192

Position Type:
Preschool/Family Services Advocate

Date Posted:
1/7/2025

Location:
Saginaw ISD Head Start

Closing Date:
Open until filled.

District:
Saginaw Intermediate School District

SAGINAW INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT HEAD START
NON-MANAGEMENT JOB DESCRIPTION
NON-EXEMPT

POSITION TITLE: Family Services Advocate (Case Managers)
DEPARTMENT: Family Services
SUPERVISOR: Family Services Coordinator

A. GENERAL SUMMARY OF DUTIES
Identify, recruit, and enroll children and their families for the Saginaw ISD Head Start Program. Work with the Head Start Supervisor and team to provide services to Head Start families and their communities. Assess family’s strengths and needs as part of a Family Partnership Agreement, and monitor their progress in meeting the agreement’s objectives and goals. Provide family intervention strategies that support families’ in achieving identified goals.

B. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Duties of the position are described in major functional areas listed below. Additional duties may be assigned.
C. SUPERVISION RECEIVED
The job description and the component work plan serve as a guideline. The supervisor evaluates the performance. Outside assistance can be received from other agency staff /related resources. Head Start effectively uses the teamwork approach. All content areas are interwoven so as to better assist and support families. The immediate supervisor is responsible for appraisals of this position. The Head Start Performance Standards and related regulations must also be followed. This position must be able to initiate, prioritize, and carry out functions without continuous direct supervision. The position may involve reassignment of caseloads and/or center location as deemed necessary for program operations.

D. KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES
Knowledge
Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of social work, human behavior, customer service delivery and health services available in the Saginaw area. Knowledge of computer data entry processes, filing and record keeping. Must have knowledge of family-centered practices. Knowledge of local resources, customs and language is helpful.

Other Skills

• Help families feel welcomed, safe, and respected by building trusting relationships over time.
• Shows respect for different families’ circumstances and creates opportunities for families to consider their aspirations for their children and themselves.
• Uses appropriate communication techniques, such as verbal and nonverbal messages and reflective listening.
• Demonstrates the ability to work with families on different kinds of goals (health, nutrition, parent/child interactions, mental health, family literacy, financial literacy, etc.)
• Maintains decisions that maintain professional boundaries and family confidentiality and child information.
• Demonstrates respectful interest in learning about each family’s values, beliefs, faith traditions, cultural influences, family structures, and circumstances.
• Applies this knowledge to relationship-building and ongoing interactions with each family.
• Reinforces the importance of home language and culture in a child’s development during interactions with parents and expectant families.
• Increase families’ awareness and ability to identify protective factors/strengths they have to overcome challenges.
• Can increase families’ awareness and ability to address the risk and stressors in their lives.
• Able to conduct educational opportunities for parents and expectant families on the importance of healthy relationships and support networks.
• Knows how to identify, in partnership with the family, options and resources to address challenges and work toward aspirations and long-term family stability.
• Facilitates and/or coordinates evidenced-based parenting education opportunities for parents individually and in groups, individualizing for culture, gender, and age, as appropriate.
• Supports parents (or links parents to supports) to address challenging child behaviors in positive, developmentally appropriate ways and accesses resources as necessary.
• Works well with other program staff to support ongoing interactive literacy activities between parents and their children at home and in the community.
• Supports families in developing skills and confidence to be effective leaders and advocates for their children.
• Demonstrates group facilitation knowledge and skills.
• Is skilled at coordinating training and educational opportunities for parents (e.g. adult education, life skills, parenting courses, family literacy, employment training).
• Can communicate with families and others about the importance of health, mental health, and child development services for children’s ongoing learning and development.
• Integrates data collected from parents and expectant families into individualized services, decision-making, and daily practice (e.g. survey, observational, or conversational data that includes family ideas and experiences).
• Demonstrates the ability to be self-reflective and integrate new knowledge into practice.

Abilities

• Knowledge and implementation of the Head Start Performance Standards and policies of Saginaw ISD Head Start.
• Exercise professional judgment in evaluating before making decisions.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, children, parents, outside agencies and the public.
• Computer data entry functions.
• Maintain confidentiality
• Must possess reliable transportation for employment.
• Possess valid driver’s license and have minimum automobile coverage required by state of employment. To drive agency vehicles (if applicable), must be insurable by the Saginaw ISD Head Start insurance carrier.
• To read, analyze and interpret reports, regulations and periodicals. Write reports, business correspondence and manuals. Present information and respond to questions.
• To add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measures.
• To climb, walk, drive, sit, stand and lift up to 25 pounds.

E. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Associates degree or higher in Social Work, Human Services, or related human services field is required. Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred. Previous case management experience with young children and families preferred. Must obtain Basic First Aid and CPR Certification. Current and former Head Start employees, students and parents will receive preference for employment vacancies for which they are qualified.

F. CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Acceptable tuberculosis screening results, a clear criminal records check, an initial health exam and drug screen are required post job offer and prior to employment.

G. PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

• Travel time is required to make contact with families and agencies.
• Travel by car, bus, airplane or train when associated for in/out of state attendance at conferences, or meetings.
• Occasional need to provide gentle physical restraint to children.
• Exposure to communicable diseases.
• Noise level in the work environment may be moderate to loud.
• Evenings and weekend work occasionally may be required for events such as trainings, home visits, parent teacher conference, Parent Committee meetings, etc.

H. SALARY

• Pay Range: $40,000 - $43,297/annually OR $48,000 - $51,957/annually (Based on Credentials)

SISD - Saginaw County Head Start is a customer-driven, family friendly program. As such, all staff
must value and be committed to the highest levels of professionalism, cooperation, teamwork and tolerance; this includes working well with families, children, co-workers, supervisors and the greater community.

*Applicants desiring disability accommodations should contact the Human Resources Office*
"An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action MFH Employer"