Family Advocate - Cave Junction

PURPOSE:

The Family Advocate (FA) will develop and maintain relationships with families and ensure that they receive comprehensive services through their participation in the Head Start/Early Head Start program s. Comprehensive services include, but are not limited to, health and social services, disabilities, nutrition, pa rent engagement, crisis support and a range of parent Leadership development trai ning opportunities at the site. The FA will support and respect the culture and family background of each family, utilizing Unconditional Positive Regard at all times and providing individualized services that meet each family’s unique needs. This position is responsible for meeting Head Start performance standards and following the Agency policies and procedures. The Family Advocate is also responsible for conducting community outreach efforts as outlined by the Parent, Family & Community Engagement (PFCE) department to identify and develop relationships with community-based organizations that provide other needed services to families.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:

I. ERSEA (Eligibility, Recruitment, Selection, Enrollment, and Attendance)

II. FAMILY SERVICES

A. Establish partnerships with parents and caregivers that are respectful, culturally responsive and nonjudgmental.

· Participate in culturally sustaining practices that nurture and support cultures faced with systematic hardships by encouraging linguistic, literacy and assisting families in maintaining their unique cultural identities, practices and values (cultural pluralism).

B. Contribute to and maintain an equitable center environment where children and families feel seen, heard, acknowledged and have a sense of belonging and connection to their community.

C. Develop strong working relationships with families and provide case management services to ensure the health and well-being of children and families.

D. Provide support, education and resources to parents to ensure the health and well-being of their child.

· Assist families in obtaining current, up-to-date preventative medical, dental, mental health, disabilities and nutrition requirements, including all necessary referrals and follow-up;

- Assist families in accessing health and wellness services as needed, and address barriers to services, including advocacy with service providers when appropriate;

· Facilitate the development of family-driven goals that are relevant and meaningful to each individual family;

· Complete, update and maintain all relevant forms in an accurate and timely manner;

· Conduct home visits in accordance with the home visiting policy and procedure;

· Partner with teacher(s) to conduct family conferences in accordance with the home visit policy and procedure.

III. ASSIST FAMILIES IN CRISIS

A. Work alongside families facing adversity in times of need. Share the workload and ask for help when needed.

B. Utilize active listening skills to develop an understanding of the family’s needs without judgment or assumptions. Use unconditional positive regard verbally and nonverbally when a family shares personal information with you.

C. Support family-driven solutions by encouraging families in making decisions and taking active steps to address the crisis.

D. Provide referrals or resources as appropriate.

IV. DOCUMENTATION, RECORD KEEPING AND REPORTING

A. Maintain accurate, organized and up to date documentation of all efforts and contacts in working with families.

· Document all services, resources, and referrals given to families.

B. Maintain fiscal responsibility as directed for FA purchases.

V. COMMUNICATION, DEBRIEFS, CHILD STAFFING/CONSULTATIONS

A. Protect and respect the confidentiality of others.

· Follow all related policy and procedures involving confidentiality and release of information.

B. Communicate and debrief with staff at center, in classroom and in meetings as scheduled.

· Attend and participate in center, department and agency meetings and trainings as assigned;

· Participate in regularly scheduled child staffings with education team(s), including shared family staffings with other Family Services team members and/or education staff in accordance to policy and procedures.

· Participate in consultations and child guidance meetings as requested;

· Attend other interagency meetings, as scheduled;

· Maintain ongoing communication with Department Supervisors and Site Managers regarding workflow and assigned children and families.

VI. PARENT ENGAGEMENT

A. Engage parents as full partners in the education of their child and their preparation for kindergarten.

B. Encourage and maintain active parent leadership in the center, providing parents opportunities to be involved in group activities (including Policy Council and Center Parent Committees) and educational activities, based on interest and need;

C. Engage parent in contributing to program activities and services through volunteering, community service, etc.

D. Work with other staff to engage parent in individualized goals and interactive activities with their child at school, at home and in the community.

E. Assist parents as adult learners to recognize and address their own literacy goals.

F. Link parents to and support them in training that contributes to self-sufficiency.

G. Support and assist families in transitioning to kindergarten; link parents with their child’s next school.

VII. COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

A. Develop and pursue relationships with community providers in order to advocate for the needs and interests of Head Start families in accordance to PFCE direction.

B. Be an ambassador for the program in the community.

VIII INTERACTION WITH CHILD, COLLABORATIVE, PARENTS AND CO-WORKERS

A. Must relate in a positive, nurturing way, both verbally and physically, and be sensitive to the needs of children, parents and co-workers.

B. Must use quick, safe reactions and responses in dealing with children or situations that involve children.

REQUIRED JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Education: Degree or certificate related to the work, i.e., social work, human services, family services, counseling, or related field. (Some community colleges offer a Family Support Worker certificate program.)

Possession of a degree unrelated to the work (i.e., in a field other than those stated above) will be required to have 9 months of employment related to the position and be able to obtain an approved credential or certificate in social work, human services, family services, counseling or related field within 18 months of hire.

OR

High school diploma or equivalent required and 18 months of employment related experience and be able to obtain a credential or certification in social work, human services, family services, counseling or a related field within 18 months of hire;

Experience: Minimum two years in social services with adults and work with low-income families preferred.

Essential Skills:

· Active listening, problem solving and other crisis intervention techniques.

- Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills;

- Asks clarifying questions to gain a better understanding of the other person’s views and underlying assumptions;

- Accept, reflect, and act upon feedback.

· Ability engage in meaningful partnerships with families, teammates, and in the community.

- Works effectively in a team environment and actively participates in joint problem solving; willingly cooperates with co-workers.

· Attends work consistently and punctually. Is present and ready to perform; takes pride in work commitments by following through and meeting deadlines.

· Consistently uphold, embody, and model SOHS agency values.

- Be a leader of change;

- Embrace diversity through active listening, taking action, and being proactive;

- Foster inclusive interactions for all children and families. Stand for justice and actively seek guidance and tools to end all inequities.

Bilingual Family Advocate must possess sufficient English/Spanish language proficiency to facilitate interpretation and translation of data in all forms. Must have the ability to provide accurate information to children, families and the public who require interpreting and translation assistance.

E ssential Mental Abilities : This position is regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret information; analyze and solve problems; be self-directed; observe and interpret people and situations; learn and apply new information or skills; work under intensive deadlines and interact with management, administrators, staff, teachers, parents, family members, children and others encountered in the course of work; utilize unconditional positive regard for others.

Essential Physical Requirements : Ability to occasionally lift/carry up to 40 lbs. a distance of 10 feet and to push/pull up to 40 lbs. a distance of 10 yards. Ability to sit for extended periods of time. Sufficient mobility and range of motion to perform intermittent standing, walking, balancing, stooping, bending, crouching, crawling, reaching, squatting or kneeling, twisting and ascend/descend stairs/steps. Ability to intermittently perform physical requirements of bus monitor duties. Ability to operate a motor vehicle. Sufficient vision and hearing to perform job duties. Sufficient manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination to perform job duties.

Exposure to Hazards : Repetitive motion tasks, sitting for long periods of time, use of personal computer and other office equipment. Unpredictable child and parent behavior, exposure to contagious conditions, hazardous chemicals and driving and riding in motor vehicles and school buses.

EMPLOYMENT CONTINGENT UPON:

Pre-employment health screening as required by Agency and position (may include, but is not limited to: drug screening, occupational health screening and/or functional testing)

Central Background Registry enrollment

Valid Oregon Driver License

Proof of current personal automobile insurance in accordance with agency policy

Three (3) years DMV court print driving record

Approval to drive from Agency insurance carrier – requires at least 21 years of age

Reports to: Site Manager 0-5